Wyman takes the win at Nittany Day 1. © Keith Hower
On a warm, sunny day in Pennsylvania, Wyman and Powers took home the wins at the second UCI race weekend of the season, just outside of the famous Trexlertown velodrome. While last year the course was a mudfest thanks to hurricane conditions the week before, racers were greeted with a slightly milder course that was infinitely faster.
In the women’s race, Helen Wyman, took the holeshot and absolute lead head-in under the race finish banner at the start of the race. Gabby Day and Christel Ferrier Bruneau, linked up within the first half lap, and started to work together. Laura Van Gilder had a so-so start, made some moves, and was in fourth by the start of the second lap. She chased solo but couldn’t match the pace of second and third place. The top 10 spread out very quickly and for the most part everyone held their places, Arley Kemmerer did move up throughout the race. With two to go, Day attacked Ferrier Bruneau and opened up a gap with ease, and just kept the pressure on. Wyman looked smooth and calm the entire race, Van Gilder looked like she was under serious pressure the whole time. It was a pretty straight forward race.
In the men’s race, with National Champion Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) on the starting line, the race was all but determined from the very beginning. However, it wasn’t going to be an easy win for the Rapha-Focus rider, with his own protegee, Jeremy Durrin (JAM Fund), hot on his heels. The race started fast and furious, with groups forming almost immediately and gaps quickly widening. The lead group was large from the start for a lap, but quickly narrowed down to a few key figures, including Craig Richey, Jeremy Durrin, Ryan Knapp, and of course, Jeremy Powers. Powers was taking constant pit changes, in preperation for Vegas, but never lost touch with the group. Knapp pulled on the front to create an even more emphatic break, and eventually with four to go, the race had narrowed down to Powers, Knapp and Durrin in the front. With two to go, Knapp dropped of the back, and Powers and Durrin were battling for the win. With one to go, Durrin noted, “I was just waiting for him to drop me,” and halfway through the lap, Powers went and created a large gap. Powers came through the finish first, with Durrin in second and Knapp in third.
Stay tuned for full results.
Interview with Helen Wyman:
[youtube -tj6aPSDMvI 580 380]
Interview with Jeremy Powers:
[youtube KJUViM3d0Tc 580 380]
Interview with Ryan Knapp:
[youtube 37YKOdY3Sag 580 380]
Men’s Gallery From Molly Hurford:
Women’s Gallery From Keith Hower:
