September 22, 2012 (Sun Prairie, WI) – On a day featuring classic cyclocross weather, Katie Compton (Trek World Racing) and Jeremy Powers (Rapha-FOCUS) soloed to victory in front of enthusiastic crowds at Angelll Park Speedway to claim valuable C1 points on the first day of the Planet Bike Cup.

In the Elite women’s race, Julie Krasniak (Rapha FOCUS) shot off the line to claim the hole shot.   Teammate Gabby Day along with Meredith Miller (Cal Giant Berry Farms) and Caroline Mani had strong starts while eventual winner Katie Compton had a rough go off the line.   However, mid-way through the second lap Compton had recovered and pulled clear of the field, quickly opening a large advantage on the rest of the field.

For a number of laps teammates Day and Krasniak held off the chase of Georgia Gould (LUNA), Meredith Miller (Cal. Giant Berry) and Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com).   Olympic Bronze medalist Gould surged ahead of Miller and Antonneau, bridging to and passing Day and Kraskniak. This left the battle for third between Day, Krasniak and Miller.  As Krasniak faded, Day battled Miller right to the last lap with Day finally pulling clear in the last 500 meters to claim the third step of the podium.

The men’s race featured a matchup between the new-style Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com team of Tim Johnson, Ryan Trebon and Jamey Driscoll versus defending USGP series champion Jeremy Powers (Rapha FOCUS) and teammate Chris Jones.    Swiss rider Lukas Fluckiger (Trek World), who dropped a chain and rolled a tire, continuously animated the race lap after lap as he gained and lost places.

Eventually Powers rode free of the field and maintained a strong 18-second lead for the remainder of the race while behind him Tim Johnson and Ryan Trebon battled for second until Trebon suffered a flat that knocked him out of podium contention.   Chris Jones was third with 2 laps to go while Fluckiger surged back, methodically picking his way back through the field catching and passing Jonathan Page and Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement) and Driscoll to draw even with Jones. With half a lap to go Fluckiger got clear of Jones to finish a strong third.

Race action resumes tomorrow at Angell Park Speedway with amateur racing beginning at 8am with the Elite races beginning at 2:45pm.

Results (brief)

Elite Women

1. Katherine Compton (USA) Trek World    41:30.8
2. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro    42:24.2
3. Gabriella Day (Gbr) Rapha-Focus    42:31.0
4. Meredith Miller (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farm   42:41.6
5. Julie Krasniak (Fra) Rapha-Focus    42:51.3
6. Teal Stetson-Lee (USA) Luna Pro    43:03.2
7. Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.co    43:18.0
8. Mical Dyck (Can ) Stans No Tubes    43:50.0
9. Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Bob’s Red Mill    43:51.1
10. Pepper Harlton (Can ) Juventus Cycling Club    44:27.2

Elite/U23 Men

1. Jeremy Powers (USA) Rapha Focus   1:03:02
2. Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com    1:03:12
3. Lukas Flückiger (Sui) Trek World    1:03:26
4. Christopher Jones (USA) Rapha Focus   1:03:37
5. Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh Clement    1:03:43
6. Ryan Trebon (USA) Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com   1:03:48
7. Jonathan Page (USA)    1:03:54
8. James Driscoll (USA) Jamis/Sutter Home    1:04:36
9. Brian Matter (USA) RACC p/b GG    1:04:40
10. Matt Shriver (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective    1:04:43

11. Evan McNeely* (Can ) Specialized Canada    1:04:49

*U23