Runnels, Kisseberth Score Wins on Day 1 of 2017 HPCX – Report, Results

JAMESBURG, N.J.—The first of two days of UCI Category 2 races at the Highland Park Cyclocross (HPCX) took place Saturday at Thompson Park in Jamesburg. Shades of fall were shining brightly at Thompson Park for the 18th year of the event, but it was spring-like weather for the Elite Women and Elite Men competing for USA Cycling’s Professional Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX).

Samantha Runnels (Squid Bikes) of Austin, Texas emerged from the field of 37 women to take her first ProCX title of the season. Jack Kisseberth (JAM/ NCC) of Westhampton, Mass. won captured his first ProCX win in the men’s C2 battle.

Runnels Elevates Her Performance to Get Win

Runnels used a final push on the dry, uphill finish to give her an eight-second margin of victory over New Jersey-native Stacey Barbossa (MidAtlantic Colavita Women) of Mountainside. The third spot on the podium was taken by Lily Williams (Pony Shop CX Team) of Asheville, N.C., with early pace-setter Arley Kemmerer (Fearless Femme Racing) of Palmerton, Penn. following 20 seconds later in fourth.

Lily Williams leads in the battle with Samantha Runnels. photo: Jesus Rivera

“I was just trying to go hard in the spots I knew I could make it happen, and keep it upright in the corners, since they were so slick,” said Runnels, who had two fourth-place finishes earlier this season at West Sacramento Cyclocross Grand Prix in California. “A ton of women showed up. We had five or six rows of women (at the start), and that was really rad.”

With three laps to go, Runnels, Barbossa and Williams had made separation from several chasers. Williams did a lot of the work out front. But it was Runnels who took advantage of the undulating, three-kilometer course and grinded to the front on the sixth and final lap.

Samantha Runnels took the win on Day 1 of the 2017 HPCX. photo: Jesus Rivera

“I liked the elevation here, it suits me really well. The corners are really awesome, It was kind of dusty and kind of ‘slidy,’ so it is really fun,” Runnels added.

2017 HPCX Day 1 Podium: Samantha Runnels, Stacey Barbossa and Lily Williams. photo: Lou Horvath

Kisseberth Stairs Down Lindine Late to Grab Victory

The UCI C2 Men’s race played out in similar fashion, with a small breakaway using the elevation changes to mark each other and attack. I would be New England’s Kisseberth surviving to the final uphill push to the line, finishing eight seconds in front of Justin Lindine (Apex/NBX/Hyperthreads) of North Ogden, Utah. Kisseberth’s 23-year-old teammate Scott Smith, also from Westhampton, would finish third and Anthony Clark (Squid Squad) of Feeding Hills, Mass. took fourth.

Anthony Clark, Justin Lindine, Scott Smith and Jack Kisseberth rode together early on Day 1 of HPCX. photo: Jesus Rivera

“The place I broke away was at the stairs over on the backside,” said Kisseberth about making a move on the eighth and final lap on the tough HPCX course. “I was riding in the group the whole race and I saw that Justin was running, and I was riding it. I knew if I hit it right at the top I could get a little gap. From there it’s a quick climb and corners all the way to the finish. So I attacked on that final climb over there after the stairs, and just coasted down the rest of the way.”

It was Lindine and Clark pushing the pace for the majority of the race, taking turns at the front. On the final lap, Clark was dropped from the final threesome who would make the podium.

HPCX Day 1 Men’s podium: Jack Kisseberth, Justin Lindine and Scott Smith. photo: Jesus Rivera

“It was tough. A lot of elevation,” said Kisseberth about conquering the course at Thompson Park where he finished second last year. “You go up this hill twice and it’s definitely a beast, but really fun. Lots of recovery, fun corners, really loose. A good race.”

ProCX racing on Sunday at Thompson Park with the ProCX event for Elite Women starting at 1:15 p.m.and Elite Men at 2:15 p.m.

The 2017 ProCX schedule provides a total of 43 race days across 18 states and the District of Columbia. The calendar spans September to December and is comprised of UCI-inscripted Category 1 and Category 2 races. Follow ProCX updates and standings this season on Twitter (#ProCX and @USACProCX), Facebook (usacycling) and at www.usacycling.org/procx.

Women's Results - 2017 HPCX Day 1

Men's Results - 2017 HPCX Day 1