October 05, 2014 (Providence, RI) – The rain began just in time for today’s UCI Elite races at Providence’s KMC Cyclo-cross Festival, changing course conditions lap by lap for the nation’s top racers. Both US National Cyclocross Champions were in attendance at Roger Williams Park, looking to clinch the extra UCI points – and with them, the extra points in USA Cycling’s Pro CX series – available at today’s C1 race. Both Champions dominated their races in challenging conditions, taking wins with solid leads over the rest.

Arley Kemmerer (PB2 Pro Cycling) took the hole shot, leading the Elite Women’s race onto the technically difficult course, winding through fast, swooping turns, three flyovers, barriers, and two sets of stairs. Joining Kemmerer, Rachel Lloyd (California Giant/Specialized), Gabby Durrin (Team Neon Velo), Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing), Courtenay McFadden (GE Capital/American Classic), and Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) headed the charge.

By the end of the first lap, however, Compton got away, leaving Lloyd, Wyman, and McFadden to organize a chase. Behind them, Durrin and Kaitie Antonneau (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) joined forces with Meredith Miller (Noosa Professional Cyclocross), who only one week ago got ten stitches in her knee. Compton’s lead grew as Wyman and Lloyd worked to reel her back. McFadden fell off the chase group, and Miller surged in an attempt to bridge to the chase. Compton won with a solid lead, while Lloyd claimed second ahead of Wyman in third. McFadden remained in fourth spot, and Miller rounded out the top five.

Men’s Race

The rain grew more intense as the Elite Men hit the course. Zach McDonald (KCCX Cyclocross Team p/b Challenge Tires), who won in Providence two years ago under similarly slick conditions, took the an early lead, but Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) soon moved into the captain’s seat. Powers created a gap that grew and grew with every early lap. Tim Johnson (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) charged, and for the rest of the race hovered about ten seconds behind Powers, and fifteen ahead of the chase.

Trading attacks and shuffling spots, the chase rallied to battle for the remaining podium spot once Powers’ and Johnson’s supremacy became unquestionable. Lukas Winterberg, guest rider for Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld and borrowing injured teammate Ryan Trebon’s bikes, vied for position with Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund/NCC) and Ben Berden (Raleigh/Clement), as Cameron Dodge (Pure Energy/Scott Bicycles) and Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh/Clement) chased. Winterberg and Berden wound through the course together in the final few laps, leaving the final podium spot to be decided in a sprint. Powers won the day with a clean, smooth ride, Johnson following behind in second. Winterberg took third place over Berden in fourth, and Dodge rounded out the top five.

Canada’s Willem Boersma (Cycle-Smart) placed 5th in the Junior Men’s race while in a huge field of 140 racers junior Ruby West (Can) Team Kallisto-FCV placed second on the Women’s Cat 3/4 podium followed by fellow Canuck Mellisa Houde (Xprezo-Borsao Factory) in third.

Results

Elite Women
1. Katherine Compton (USA) Trek Factory Racing   41:18
2. Rachel Lloyd (USA) California Giant / Specialized    0:33
3. Helen Wyman (Gbr) Kona Factory Racing    0:41
4. Courtenay McFadden (USA) GE Capital/American Classic    0:52
5. Meredith Miller (USA) Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team    1:13

7. Maghalie Rochette (Can) Luna Pro Team    1:39
15. Mical Dyck (Can) Stan’s NoTubes    3:06

Elite Men
1. Jeremy Powers (USA) Rapha/Focus    1:07:45
2. Tim Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld    0:50
3. Lukas Winterberg (Cze) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com    0:57
4. Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh / Clement    1:05
5. Cameron Dodge (USA) Pure Energy/Scott Bicycles    1:28

16. Michael Garrigan (Can) Van Dessel/ Shimano/ POC    3:26
23. Andrew L’Esperance (Can) Norco Factory Team    4:50
30. Evan McNeely (Can) Norco Factory Team    5:34
32. Leandre Bouchard (Can) Cyclone d’Alma    5:47
41. Peter Glassford (Can) Trek Canada    7:32
42. Thierry Laliberte (Can) Xprezo-Borsao Factory    8:39
46 Jean-Philippe Thibault-Roberge (Can) Trek Cyclocross Collective    -1 lap
55. Felix Belhumeur (Can) Pivot Cycles/OTE    -4 laps

Junior Men

1. Gage Hecht (USA) Alpha Bicycle Company Vista Sub    45:33
2. Cooper Willsey (USA) CyclocrossWorld.com Devo Team 0:08
3. Ethan Reynolds (USA) Hot Tubes Development Cycling 0:14
4. Cameron Beard (USA) CyclocrossWorld.com Devo Team 0:25
5. Willem Boersma (Can) Cycle-Smart 0:37

10. Raphael Auclair (Can) Pivot Cycles – OTE 1:44

Women Cat 3/4

1. Katina Walker (USA) Bike Loft East 30:33
2. Ruby West* (Can) Team Kallisto-FCV 0:04
3. Mellisa Houde (Can) Xprezo-Borsao Factory 0:16
4. Julie Wright (USA) B2C2 p/b Boloco 0:17
5. Turner Ramsay (USA) KMS Cycling 0:34

*Junior