West Coast Party on the East Coast at NoHo Day 1 – Report, Results

NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—The 2019 Vittoria Northeast Cyclocross Series kicked off with race number one on Saturday with the Verge Northampton International Cyclocross presented by Cycle-Smart (NohoCX). Now in its 29th year, NohoCX is the oldest cyclocross race in North America sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Elite racers competed for UCI Category 2 points in USA Cycling’s Pro Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX). Riders were met with sunny skies and cold conditions on a compact, fast and flowing course at Look Park.

Caroline Nolan (Voler/Easton/HRS/Rock Lobster) powered away from the competition in the elite women’s race to take a solo win. Tobin Ortenblad (Santa Cruz / Donkey Label Racing) would outsmart a group of eight riders in an exciting sprint. Both riders claimed the Vittoria Series lead and will wear the Verge Sport leader’s jersey in Sunday’s race.

The first of three race weekends, the Vittoria Series follows competition on classic cyclocross courses in the Northeast, which include Northampton, M.A., Suffern, N.Y., and Warwick, R.I. It is the longest standing UCI cyclocross series in the United States. Athletes compete for points on the USA Cycling Pro Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX), as well as the Vittoria Series overall competition.

Nolan Tops for the Women

In the elite women’s race, Nolan would establish control of the front of the race with the help of Regina Legge (Trek Cyclocross Collective). A group of four racers would emerge with Nolan, Legge, Arley Kemmerer (Bike Law Network p/b Piscitello) and Caitlin Bernstein (Easton/ Velocio/McGovern Cycles) fending off the charging chasers.

“It was one of those races where I knew it was my race to win and my race to lose,” said Nolan. “There were a lot of strong women out there so the first couple of laps we kind of just stayed as a group and worked together and it was nice because you could see where people’s strengths and weaknesses were and where my strengths and weaknesses were.”

Caroline Nolan faced a group of challengers early on. 2019 Northampton International Day 1. © Angelica Dixon

Later, Nolan would distance herself from the group and attempt to fend off the chasers. “I was noticing on the run-up I was getting a little bit of separation and then the really steep shoot down into the sand I was riding really well so on lap three I just tried to capitalize on those parts and get some separation in the woods.”

Caroline Nolan celebrates her NoHo Day 1 win. 2019 Northampton International Day 1. © Angelica Dixon

Nolan would come into the finish line solo, 17 seconds ahead of Legge. “I knew Caroline was going to be really fast,” said Legge, “and in the woods she got me. Every single lap she gained time on me.” Legge would hold off Kemmerer who, in the end, would outsprint Bernstein.

“I didn’t realize how close the finish line was until the last turn,” said Kemmerer. “And I was waiting for Caitlin Bernstein to come from behind but I led into that turn and then the finish line was literally right there.”

Ortenblad Sprints to Elite Men’s Win

In the elite men’s race, group racing tactics would rule the day. A group of eight riders would establish themselves several laps into the race and remained together until the final sprint.

“Definitely stayed together quite a bit,” observed Ortenblad. “The course is super wide with a lot of grass and fast stuff. So it really wouldn’t stretch out too much except for the upper rooty, rocky spots. It was a little bit windy so it definitely was nice to have a tactical race today.”

Tobin Ortenblad and others faced a tactical race on Saturday. 2019 Northampton International Day 1. © Angelica Dixon

“I knew going into the last lap I didn’t want to be anything further back than like third place the whole time,” continued Ortenblad. “And Ben Frederick seemed pretty content to give it full gas from basically the whole last lap. Ben went for it. I was pretty content to stay there, he’s a good rider and you can trust him in the corners. It was basically a race for the corner so I just made sure I was into the corner first.”

Ortenblad would narrowly edge out Lando and would claim the win in 57 minutes and 56 seconds.

Tobin Ortenblad took the Day 1 win at NoHo. 2019 Northampton International Day 1. © Angelica Dixon

Nick Lando (Competitive Edge Racing), who would finish second, put in attacks throughout the race to test the waters and eventually determined it would come down to a final sprint. “I sat third wheel,” said Lando. “Ben Frederick was on the gas for that whole last lap so I figured he was going to be pretty smoked. And I knew obviously Tobin was the guy to watch so I stayed on his wheel.”

Ben Frederick (ORNOT) would finish third, after leading the entire final lap. “Going into the finish there was eight of us, and I didn’t want to have someone that I hadn’t seen all race just all of a sudden come out of nowhere. So I thought my best shot was to just give it and see what happened.”

Racing will continue Sunday in Northampton. Watch the races unfold in person or by following tweets at @VittoriaSeries. Follow on Facebook and YouTube for race weekend highlights video highlights provided by DirtWire.TV. For more information visit necyclocross.com.

Full results are below.

Elite Women Results: Northampton International Cyclocross Day 1

Elite Men Results: 2019 Northampton International Cyclocross Day 1