Here, Nash runs the sand: will she take the series overall in the USGP? © Janet Hill
by Evan Schmitt
On the same course that hosted two national championships in the past two years, the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross will be decided. Bend, Oregon, will host its first ever weekend included in the national series and certainly will not disappoint. The last two national championships on Oregon soil were held in a winter wonderland, complete with frozen ground and cold beer: will the temperatures finally start to drop for a repeat performance this weekend?
Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) is coming off of a rest weekend and will be wearing the overall leader’s jersey. Belgian Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Clement) took a win last Sunday at CXLA in Southern California and will be on form to challenge Powers. Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) also won last weekend in Los Angeles and is coming into form with under a month to go before the National Championships in Madison. Ryan Trebon (LTS-Felt) will not be racing in Bend due to a knee injury he sustained at the USGP in Louisville earlier this fall, leaving Powers’ series’ win largely unchallenged. Check back to cxmagazine.com soon for interviews with both Jeremy Powers and Ryan Trebon.
Powers takes the win on the first day of Cincy3 Festival. Will he take the win in the USGP this weekend? © Jeffrey Jakucyk
Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) will be wearing the leader’s jersey going into the final weekend and it will be hers to lose. Meredith Miller (California Giant Berries) is coming off a hot weekend of wins in Los Angeles and will be looking to carry her momentum into Oregon. Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) and Sue Butler (River City Bicycles-Ridley) will both be looking to stomp their authority on the field. Butler will have added motivation as she makes her home in nearby Portland.
