All photos: Todd Prekaski
The Verge New England Cyclocross Series got underway today at the 13th annual Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend with racers vying for series points in a total of ten categories. Under dramatic skies, Bazin and Anthony emerged victorious over strong Elite fields, making them the early season leaders of the series.
The Elite Women’s race took shape early on with Cyclocrossworld.com’s Crystal Anthony pedaling away soon after the leaders hit the barriers for the first time. “I was feeling good and took a chance,” said Anthony. She was obviously feeling strong, her gap only growing as Mo Bruno Roy and Catherine Sterling vied for second spot for the entirety of the race. Roy led Sterling for more than half the race before Sterling created a gap. Roy chased hard, not letting Sterling out of her sight, but ultimately Sterling held Roy off and crossed the line in second.
Eight leaders in the Elite Men’s race organized early and stayed together for the opening laps. Some of the biggest names in North American cyclocross were there: Johnson, Driscoll, Page, McNichols, Lindine, and Keough, with Frenchman Bazin making a strong showing. Lindine’s attack in the fifth lap caused the group to break apart, but it was the counterattack by Johnson of Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld that stuck, bringing Bazin and teammate Driscoll with him. Bazin and the two teammates traded attacks for the remainder of the race, Bazin ultimately riding away from Vermonter Driscoll on his home turf, with Johnson following in third. McNichols, Page, and Lindine crossed next with a photo finish for fourth. “I wanted to race my heart out for all the people that came out and were cheering for me, but it was ultimately the strongest man that won,” Driscoll said.
The action resumes tomorrow, with live results for all the day’s races on CrossResults.com and live updates from the race from @VergeNECXS on Twitter.
UCI Elite Women Top 10
1. Crystal Anthony, Cyclocrossworld.com
2. Catherine Sterling, Bikeman.com
3. Maureen Bruno Roy, Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles
4. Sally Annis, pedalpowertraining.com
5. Julie Lafreniere, Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery
6. Maghalie Rochette, PowerWatts - Fit Time
7. Kate Northcott, Beam Team Racing
8. Rebecca Wellons, Seaside Cycle
9. Karin Holmes, Riverside Racing
10. Marion Jamison, LadiesFirst Racing
Full Results: http://www.crossresults.com/
UCI Elite Men Top 10
1. Nicolas Bazin, Big-Mat Auber 93
2. Jamey Driscoll, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld
3. Tim Johnson, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld
4. Dylan Mcnicholas, Cyclocrossworld.com
5. Jonathan Page
6. Justin Lindine, Redline
7. Flavien Dassonville, Big-Mat Auber 93
8. Daniel Chabanov, Richard Sachs - RGM Watches - Radix
9. Luke Keough, Corner Cycle Cycling Club/Champion
10. Derrick St. John, Stevens p/b The Cyclery
Full results: http://www.crossresults.com/
Mo Bruno Roy of Bob's Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles had a strong start off the line.
Crystal Anthony rode away from the field early in the race, holding onto the lead for a victory
Crystal Anthony wins the first race of the 2012 Verge New England Cyclocross Series
The Elite Women's podium for the first race of the 2012 Verge New England Cyclocross Series
Crystal Anthony wearing the leader's jersey for the 2012 Verge New England Cyclocross Series
The Elite Men line up
Dylan McNicholas had a strong ride with a fourth place finish
Local boy Jamey Driscoll put the Frenchman Nicolas Bazin under pressure for the duration of the race
Pro road racer Ted King of Liquigas-Cannondale tests his wheels on the dirt with Adam Myerson of Team SmartStop/Mountain Khakis chasing him down
Nicolas Bazin wins the first race of the 2012 Verge New England Cyclocross Series
The Elite Men's podium for day one of the 2012 Verge New England Cyclocross Series
Updated on May 13, 2013, 6:02pm
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