Changing Conditions Changes Leaderboard in NCGP Weekend- Shriver, Frattini Tops

Matt Schriver takes his first UCI 'cross win. ©Shane Orr

Hendersonville, NC- Matt Shriver (Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) took his first UCI Cyclocross victory last weekend in the North Carolina Grand Prix on Saturday with a brilliant solo effort, beating Italy’s Davide Frattini (Team Fuji) by 28 seconds.  Sunday’s race would be a different story though, with changing weather conditions, came a changing of the guard and Frattini turned the tables taking a decisive win.

The elite men raced on the same Jackson Park course on both days, but Mother Nature provided a striking contrast in conditions. Saturday’s event took place under brilliant blue skies and unseasonably warm temperatures, producing a fast and tactical battle. On Sunday, however, the weather turned and rain and mud made the course treacherously slick.

Saturday’s Elite Men’s race began with Brian Matter (Gear Grinder), making taking the hole-shot onto the grass after short run on asphalt. Matter kept his position at the front of the field for most of the opening lap.

By the time the field had crested the “wall” for the first time and made their way onto the paved start/finish straight, Frattini, Matter, and Shriver had announced their intentions at the front of the race along with Jake Wells (Mafia Racing), Eric Thompson (Lees-McRae College) and Ryan Knapp (BikeReg.com).

At the halfway point, Shriver, Frattini, Matter and Wells formed a lead quartet, which would remain intact until the race’s end.  On the final lap, pressure from Shriver’s fast pace would finally crack the Italian as he set off for a solo win. Behind, Matter and Wells did well to maintain a heated battle for the final podium spot but a bobble and untimely mechanical would see Wells drop from contention as he shouldered his bike for the final 300 meters, allowing Matter to cruise in for third and Travis Livermon (Champion System/Cannondale) and Thompson move up to fourth and fifth respectively.  Wells would hold on for sixth.

Davide Frattini solos to a win on Sunday. ©Shane Orr

Sunday’s race would feature the same players at the front but in the cold and muddy conditions, Frattini would shine.  Taking the hole-shot and setting a furious pace, the Italian asserted his control over the race early.

By the end of the first lap, Frattini held a slight advantage over the three chasers, Matter, Shriver and Wells.  Riding consistently and showing no weakness, Frattini’s lead would grew to more than 20 seconds as he began the bell lap.  Matter and Wells were behind, again fighting for the podium.  Matter’s smooth riding style made the difference this day, as he was able to distance himself in the slick off-camber sections.  Wells would hold on for third and Saturday’s winner, Schriver, had to settle for forth.

In the women’s race, Kristin Wentworth (Planet Bike) took her first major victory in the North Carolina Grand Prix on Saturday, out-pacing breakaway companion Deidre Winfield (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) in the closing meters. Wentworth’s teammate Linda Sone soloed in for third place to round out the podium.

Once again, on Sunday, changing conditions would bring a change of fortune as Winfield soloed to her first win of the ‘cross season just ahead of the Planet Bike pair of Kaitlin Antonneau and Wentworth.

Photo Gallery:

Results:

Elite Men, Day 1:

Elite Men, Day 2:

Elite Women, Day 1:

Elite Women, Day 2: