Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup Preview

November 18, 2009; Conshohocken, PA, USA: The North American Cyclocross Trophy has become more Canadian this year.  The NACT’s expansion into Canada for the Toronto International Cyclo-Cross in October made it the first true multi-national cyclocross series in North America.  And riders with Canadian connections lead both the Men’s and Women’s point standings.  Ottawa’s Natasha Elliott has only competed in half of the NACT events so far, but she’s won every one of them to give her the points lead coming into the NACT Finals at the Whitmore’s Landscaping Super Cross Cup on Long Island on November 21 and 22.  While Elliot is a true blue (or, this year, pink in her Louis Garneau kit) Canadian, Men’s points leader Tim Johnson’s Canadian connection is through his wife, multi-time Olympian and National Champion Lyne Bessette (who has also entered the races in the Hamptons).

But while there is a Canadian tint to this year’s NACT title chase, the racers are chasing American dollars, including the recently-increased women’s purses for the final two races.  Elliott needs only a third-place finish at either of the races on Long Island (which are promoted by ex-pat Canadian Myles Romanow) to clinch the $1,500 champions bonus.  But with an additional $1,500 in season bonus money to be split between the second and third place finisher in the season standings, and nearly $3,000 in prize money for the race itself, the race promises to have one of the deepest fields of the year.

The Men’s points battle is tighter, with more men having attended more races.  Tim Johnson of Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld.com needs only a pair of fourth-place finishes to wrest the Title Belt away from Ryan Trebon and take home the $2,000 bonus for winning the series championship.  Of course, Johnson doesn’t race for fourth place and there are more than three other riders capable of winning the races.  Adam Craig and Carl Decker of Team Giant are already registered, as is Swiss Sensation Valentin Scherz, who is leading the MAC point standings.  Among the riders who have verbally committed are U.S. National Champion Ryan Trebon, and Johnson’s teammates: Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll.

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