Wyman Doubles, Johnson Redeems at Day 2 of Jingle Cross

Berden, Johnson and Trebon on the podium for Day 2 of Jingle Cross. © Elisabeth Reinkordt

by Elisabeth Reinkordt

IOWA CITY, IOWA – While temperatures were chilly overnight, no precipitation fell on the Jingle Cross Rock course, and though early racers dealt with mud and grass, course conditions were prime for Saturday’s elite races. Sunny, breezy, and unseasonably warm temperatures were on tap as 22 women took the start in the elite race.

Elite Women

Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) jumped fast off the start line, with Friday’s winner Helen Wyman (Kona) close behind. As the women wound through the course, it was at the summit of Mt. Krumpet — which featured a long, winding climb today — that Wyman made her attack. Not far behind Wyman was a wall of three riders from Team Optum – Jade Wilcoxson, Carmen Small, and local favorite Amanda Miller.

Mani was not content to be dropped from this group however, and gave hard chase. As Wilcoxson dropped off the pace of her teammates, she was overtaken by the Frenchwoman. And while Mani and Wilcoxson chased, they were unable to close the gap up to Wilcoxson’s two teammates.

As Wyman rode solidly in the lead, teammates Miller and Small were neck and neck through the course, and with one lap to go, the question remained what the two would do at the finish. In a show of teammate love, the two crossed the line holding hands in a high-five, with Miller edging out Small’s wheel for the second step of the podium. Wyman was greeted to the top step of the podium by “God Save the Queen,” going two for two at Jingle Cross.

Race dynamics were changed somewhat from Friday, as powerhouse riders Julie Krasniak (Rapha-Focus) and Teal Stetson-Lee (Luna) did not line up at the start. Krasniak, who was second on Friday, ran her knee into a stake in the first lap, and opted out of racing. Both are expected to return tomorrow.

Men’s Elite

After dropping out of Friday’s race early due to a hit to the knee, Tim Johnson (Cannondale) was back on the front line for Saturday’s contest. Johnson was joined on the front line by teammates Ryan Trebon and Jamey Driscoll, Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement), Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus), and Tristan Schouten (Optum). Jones sprinted off the line for the holeshot, but by the time the riders approached the pits the first time, Johnson had taken the lead, with Trebon, Driscoll, and Berden all right in the mix.

The group at the front increased to nine riders as the pace slowed, with Brian Matter (Geargrinder), Matt Shriver (Trek Cyclocross Collective), and Allen Krughoff (Raleigh Clement) joining in the mix. It was Krughoff who made an attack off the front of the group descending Mt. Krumpet, but his lead was cut short by a crash. The group of seven passed Krughoff, who was left to chase along with Matter and Shriver.

It was just over halfway through the race that Johnson used the climb up Mt. Krumpet to make his attack. As Johnson charged away from the pack, Jones, Trebon, Berden and Driscoll blew Schouten off the back of their chase group.

With two laps remaining, this group, too had separated, with Trebon and Berden riding in second and third, 45 seconds behind Johnson. Following them were Jones and Driscoll, with Schouten still dangling in sixth. With one lap to go, Trebon opened up a gap on Berden. Johnson, still comfortably in the lead, sailed into the win, flipping wheelies for the crowd. Trebon held on to his second place, with Berden finishing third.

Reflecting on his injury last night, Johnson was happy to have a much better day today. “I rode the trainer inside this morning, and things felt good,” he said. “Today’s course was great for me,” he added, “without the run-up, I could stay on the bike. And if the other racers were tired from last night, I was just a little fresher.”

Elite Women’s Results:

Elite Men’s Results:

See Day 1’s results, reports and photos here.