December 7, 2008 (Portland, OR) – Tim Johnson (USA) CyclocrossWorld.com/Cannondale fought back from injury to win the Elite Men’s race and Katerina Nash (USA) Luna Women’s Team was tops in the Elite Women’s competition on day one of the two-day Series Finale held at the Portland International Raceway.

On an uncharacteristically brilliant and dry December day in Portland more than 4,000 raucous spectators descended upon the infield for a day of cross racing that bore absolutely no resemblance to the mud and winds of the previous year.

Elite Men

The big three of this season, Kona’s Ryan Trebon and CyclocrossWorld.com/ Cannondale’s dynamic duo of Jeremy Powers and eventual race winner Tim Johnson broke free of the field around lap three of the race and never looked back. The threesome, launched by an initial assault by Powers, raced off the front trading attacks with no one able to gain a clear advantage until the final lap when Trebon crashed in a turn taking Powers with him and opening the door for Johnson’s escape. Johnson powered away to a strong solo victory and recaptured his lead in the chase for the overall series victory. Teammate Powers out sprinted Trebon to hold on to the second spot for a CyclocrossWorld/Cannondale one-two finish.

Behind the leaders a dynamic chase group of Jesse Anthony, Todd Wells, U23 superstar Danny Summershill and Chris Sheppard tried to catch the fleeing leaders but were never able to close down the gap. Summerhill, an Under 23 rider, rode an inspired race which saw him move up from the 18th spot to as high a position as sixth before ultimately fading back for a 13th place finish. For his efforts Summerhill was awarded the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider award. In an interesting side note, had Jesse Anthony failed to hold on to his 4th place spot Todd Wells, who overcame a dismal start to finish 5th, would have retained the Jersey.

With the race for the jersey in the USGP / CyclocrossWorld U-23 Series Mitchell Peterson’s 4th place finish was enough to hold on to his leader’s jersey by a narrow margin, finishing behind Summerhill, Nicholas Weighall and Bjorn Selander. The fight for the final jersey guarantees an interesting race headed into the final day.

Elite Women

Fans in Portland saw a very similar women’s race unfold as they had in the previous two USGP weekends with favorites Rachel Lloyd, Georgia Gould and Katernia Nash attacking off the front. After riding together for the remainder of the race it was Nash who made the decisive attack, powering away from teammate Gould and California Giant Strawberry Lloyd to seize the victory. Gould held on to her leader’s jersey by a single point setting up an inter-team battle for dominance heading into the last day of the USGP season. First year ‘cross racer, Meredith Miller was the winner in the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider competition.

Results (brief)

Men
1. Tim Johnson (USA) Cyclocrossworld Cannondale 1:04:42
2. Jeremy Powers (USA) Cyclocrossworld Cannondale 1:04:44
3. Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 1:04:44
4. Jesse Anthony (USA) Team Jamis Bikes 1:05:39
5. Todd Wells (USA) Team G.T. 1:05:43
6. Chris Sheppard (Can) Santa Cruz/Giro/Easton/ 1:05:47
7. Daniel Summerhill (USA) Team Cliff Bar 1:06:31
8. Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) Specialize/KMC 1:06:44
9. Matt Shriver (USA) Jittery Joes Pro Cycling 1:07:07
10. Nicholas Weighall (USA) Rad Racing/Hagens Berman 1:07:21

Women
1. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Women’s Team 00:39:41
2. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna 00:39:45
3. Rachel Lloyd (USA) California Giant Berry Farms 00:39:52
4. Susan Butler (USA) Monaviecannondale.Com 00:41:02
5. Wendy Simms (Can) Kona 00:41:02
6. Amy Dombroski (USA) Webcor/Alto Velo 00:42:03
7. Meredith Miller (USA) California Giant Berry Farms 00:42:04
8. Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Mm Racing P/B Seven Cycles 00:42:04
9. Kelli Emmett (USA) Giant Bicycles 00:42:40
10. Rhonda Mazza (USA) Team S&M/Sellwood Cycle Repair 00:42:42

For more information on the USGP, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.