Women's Elite Race:


   As the women lined up the winds were calm and the sun was shinning on another beautiful day in Iowa.  Helen Wyman (Kona) took the first spot on the start grid surrounded by Caroline Mani (Raleigh/Clement), Julie Krasniak (Rapha Focus) and Mo Bruno Roy (Bob's Redmill).  Krasniak who crashed out of Saturday's race and was still bandaged up.  Missing from the start line for a second time over the weekend was Luna rider Teal Stetson-Lee.  Teal who was suffering from knee pain made the decision to not race again on Sunday and heal up.  As the bell rang riders jockeyed for position coming through the fast wide-open straight.  It was Wyman that had the hole shot and although being overtaken by Jade Wilcoxson (Optum), Wyman quickly took the lead back and opened up her gap through the only muddy section of the course, up the flyover and to the steep ascent on Mt. Krumpit.  It was Krasniak that looked to be out for redemption as she wasted no time overtaking several riders up Mt. Krumpit and had a clear separation from the group at the summit of the climb.  Wilcoxson made her charge to try and catch Krasniak, but eventually  fell back to the group with her two Optum teammates and Mani.  Mt. Krumpit quickly and furiously made its impact on the field as groups shattered apart and the race for 1st and 2nd was decided.  The race for 3rd brought excitement the crowds as the trio of Optum riders; Carmen Small, Amanda Miller and Wilcoxson took turns attacking Mani (Raleigh/Clement).  As Mani tried to minimize the attacks she couldn't keep Miller and Small from getting away.  Battling for the rest of the top ten spots where Courtenay McFadden (Cliff Bar), Crystal Anthony (Cannondale Cyclocrossworld), Amanda Carey (VW Boise), and Mo Bruno Roy (Bob's Redmill).  As the race went on many rider choose, or were forced, to run up Mt. Krumpit.  However, Bruno Roy impressively road the steep ascent every lap, the only rider to do so. 

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Wyman makes her way through the loose grass on the steep decent.  Snoop

 

Men's Elite Race:
 

   As the winds picked up and temperatures dropped the Men's Elite race started off with a surprise asTexas race promoter Bryan Fawley (Dallas Bike Works) and Matt Shriver (Trek) unexpectedly took the hole shot and lead the pack though the muddy section, flyover and to the base of Mt. Krumpit.  It was there that the Cannondale riders made their move and quickly trimmed the fat off the pack.  Tim Johnson (Cannondale) was first to crest the climb fallowed closely by Ryan Trebon (Cannondale), Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale), Ben Berden (Raleigh/Clement), Chris Jones (Rapha/Focus), and Brain Matter (GearGrinder).  Johnson looked eager to repeat his performance from last year and get another win for the weekend.  The group of five riders stayed together for the first several laps with Matter trailing off the back struggling to make contact.  There was a bevy of attacks from Johnson, Driscoll and Trebon.  Berden and Jones played chase and tried to keep the Cannondale riders close.  Trebon made a hard attack and with Jones in tow they had separation from the group.  But as they came through the yule logs it was Trebon that literally sat up and stopped pedaling.  The group came back together and it was then that Chris Jones made his move, he seemed upset with the course though as we took out several markers and lost time from the leaders.  Not soon after Trebon unexpectedly rode off the course, straight to the Cannondale trailer and immediately started packing up his bike in a case.  Clearly upset he made his way out of the venue.  With three laps to go Johnson made his final attack up Mt. Krumpit with Driscoll struggling to keep contact.  Berden was started to fade as Jones and Matter worked together make up ground.  Jones eventually left Matter behind and road in for 4th place.  

Johnson enjoying some holiday tunes in the raindeer barn.  Snoop

Cover photo courtesy of Nate VanDerWeide.
Article photos courtesy of Angela Snoop. 


Women's Elite Results:

 

1. Helem Wyman

2. Julie Krasniak

3. Amanda Miller

4. Carmen Small

5. Caroline Mani

6. Jade Wilcoxson

7. Courtenay McFadden

8. Crystal Anthony

9. Amanda Carey

10. Mo Bruno Roy

11. Abby Strigel

12. Rebecca Blatt

13. Marne Smiley

14. Jessica Cutler

15. Rebecca Gross

16. Corey Coogan-Cisek

17. Amber Markey

18. Karen Brocket

19. Sierra Siebenlist

20. Elizabeth So

21. Robin Williams

DNF Corrie Osborne

 

Men's Elite Race:

 

1. Tim Johnson

2. James Driscoll

3. Ben Berden

4. Chris Jones

5. Brian Matter

6. Allen Krughoff

7. Tristen Schouten

8. Matt Shriver

9. Jacob Lasley

10. Isaac Neff

11. Chase Dickens

12. Alexander Candelario

13. Joseph Maloney

14. Cody Kaiser

15. Kevin Bradford-Parish

16. Jeff Kluck

17. Mike Sherer

18. Mark Savery

19. Corey Stelljes

20. Craig Etheridge

21. Kevin McConnell

22. Trevor Koss

23. Tom Burke

24. Robert Marion

25. Craig Faulkner

26. Eric Thompson

27. Bryan Fawley

28. Andrew Coe

29. Dallas Fowler

30. Allen Mathew

31. Pat Lemieux

32. Travis Braun

33. Jeremiah Gantzer

34. Bill Street

35. John Thompson

DNF Ryan Trebon