Stephen Hyde’s “Best Win of Career” at KMC Cyclocross Festival, Compton Wins Yet Again: Full Results, Day Two

by Cindy Brennan, interview by Andrew Reimann

This Makes 99 for Compton at the KMC Cyclo-Cross Festival:

The course was faster, the weather kinder for the second day of UCI racing in Providence. There couldn’t have been a more perfect race, or a more perfect New England autumn day, to serve as the grand finale of America’s Holy Week of Cyclocross.

The Elite Women’s race hit the fast, dry course with ferocity, with Arley Kemmerer (PB2 Pro Cycling) and Emma White (Cyclocrossworld.com) leading the charge. Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) made an early attack, and with Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) on her wheel easily dieseled away from the field. Compton then got away on her own as a chase organized to fight for third. Kemmerer, joined by White, Rachel Lloyd (California Giant/Specialized), Courtenay McFadden (GE Capital/American Classic), and Kaitie Antonneau (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) organized the chase.

Compton waited a little longer today while Arley Kemmerer and Helen Wyman battled at the front, but once she took the lead, she never relinquished it. © Andrew Reimann

When their shared work failed to cut down the time to the leaders, Lloyd attacked the chase. The three leaders each rode alone, Compton’s and Wyman’s time not shrinking, as Kemmerer and McFadden made a move to bring Lloyd back. Although the chasers brought the gap down, Lloyd made another charge to widen her lead. Katie Compton swept the weekend in Providence, winning both days with a solid solo ride. Wyman crossed the line second, and Lloyd hung on for third. Rounding out the top five in a sprint were Kemmerer in fourth and McFadden in fifth.

Helen Wyman was able to hold onto Compton’s wheel the longest, and still rode away from the chasing group and eventual third place, Rachel Lloyd. © Andrew Reimann

Today’s race marks Katie Compton’s 99th UCI win, an incredible milestone for a phenomenal athlete.

Hyde Attacks Early and is Rewarded with a Win:

Stephen Hyde attacked extremely early in the race, and bunny-hopped the barriers as often as he could. Jamey Driscoll was one of the lead chasers, shown in the background almost 20 seconds back. © Andrew Reimann

Notably missing from the Elite Men’s starting grid today was yesterday’s winner Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus), perhaps recharging after laying it all out on the course for his huge C1 winning ride. His absence opened the possibilities for who might take today’s win, and the deep field was ready with an answer.

Within the first few turns, New England’s own Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund/NCC) flew from the front of the charging field to wrangle at first just a few bike lengths on the field. As Hyde turned his small lead into a substantial gap, Lukas Winterberg (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) bridged up to the leader, willing and able to do the work to make the bold move work.

Driscoll lead a chase group that eventually got within five seconds of Hyde, with Ben Berden following close behind. © Andrew Reimann

The two increased their lead, taking turns at the front, while a massive chase amassed behind them. Hyde and Winterberg earned a thirty-second lead, as the chase made some attempts to attack each other. Travis Livermon (Mock Orange Pro CX) and Justin Lindine (Redline Factory/NBX) each tried to make a move for third, but each time the massive chase stayed with them. With just two to go, Winterberg bobbled, leaving Hyde alone to gun for the win.

Winterberg hovered about six seconds back from Hyde for a time, but his earlier effort took its toll and he drifted back to the charging chase, now consisting of Raleigh-Clement teammates Jamey Driscoll and Ben Berden, and Justin Lindine barely hanging on to the accelerating duo.

With one to go, Driscoll put down astonishing power to reel in Hyde, bringing the gap down to fifteen seconds, then ten, then six. Hyde crossed the line, exuberant, with Driscoll coming across just five seconds back. Berden claimed the third place spot. Winterberg held on for fourth, Lindine fifth.

Lukas Winterberg had a strong start with Hyde, although the rider with a weekend-contract with Cannondale fell back, following Ben Berden for fourth. © Andrew Reimann

Asked if he believed this was the biggest win of his career, Hyde told Cyclocross Magazine, “Are you kidding?” with visible excitement. “Of course it is. This was unbelievable.”

As for his plan of attack, Hyde thought about the replay in his head, and said, “First lap, maybe second. Ah, it was a painful race, I can’t remember, but I really didn’t have any reason for attacking… I’m usually better the second day, so I figured I would try to push myself.”

When asked what was going through his head when people were shouting that the gap was only five seconds with a quarter of the lap remaining, Hyde laughed and simply stated, “I’m DEAD!” With Berden and Driscoll closing in, Hyde recalled his frame of mind. “I figured I had spent so much already during the race, and whatever was still left in me, I just had to use right then and there, no reason to leave anything back.”

Stay tuned to cxmagazine.com for Stephen Hyde’s bike profile and more.

KMC Cyclo-cross Festival Day Two, Women's Race

KMC Cyclo-Cross Festival Day Two, Men's Race