September 20, 2010 (Williston, VT) – The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle-Smart kicked off today in Williston, Vermont. The first day of the Green Mountain Cyclocross weekend was capped by the dominant wins of Sally Annis (crossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles) and National Champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com). Canada’s Pierrick Naud (Rocky Mountain) of Quebec was the top Canuck in the elite men’s category in 16th. Melissa Bunn (Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery) was the best Canadian woman in eighth.

A cool damp morning turned into a warm and bright day at the Catamount Family Center and the first weekend of UCI racing in New England brought out some familiar faces as well as some new ones. Crossresults.com’s Sally Annis took the Elite Women’s field by surprise by powering away from a group that included Maureen Bruno-Roy (Bob’s Red Mill/Seven Cycles) and Crystal Anthony (Ladies First). “I knew I was going well but those girls are really fast, I knew I just had to keep on the gas,” said Annis following her victory, seeming almost surprised that she was able to create an insurmountable lead. Annis’s win was her first ever UCI level victory. Behind, Anthony and Bruno-Roy were taking hard pulls to keep away from an elite chase group of six riders. As the laps ticked down, it became apparent that Anthony and Bruno-Roy were going to battle for the final two steps of the podium; heading into the final corners, Anthony took the lead with Bruno-Roy content to sit second wheel, confident in her ability to come around in a sprint. Bruno-Roy attempted to make her move with about 50 meters left and Anthony closed the door, forcing the Bob’s Red Mill racer to try to change sides, unable to do so, Anthony crossed the line second with Bruno-Roy third.

The Elite Men saw Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com) power away from a stacked field. Said second place finisher Luca Damiani (El Gato CX p/b Podium Cycling), “I tried to attack and TJ went after I did. Nobody could catch him.” As Damian chased, solidifying his second place the battle for third as well as the U-23 lead came into play. A group containing Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Cannondale), Joachim Parbo (KCH Leopard Cycles) and Jerome Townsend (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/Scott) vied for the third spot overall while Lindine solidified his position at the top of the U-23. According to Parbo, who came fourth, Lindine discovered a new gear unmatchable by his chasing companions and soloed into third. The U-23 podium was rounded out by a pair of Keoughs – Luke and Jake – on their new Champion Systems/Keough Racing team.

The 35+ Masters saw the renewing of an old rivalry. Age group national champions and teammates at Corner Cycles, Jonny Bold and Kevin Hines returned to their position head-up against perennial foe and former national champ Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo). In a display of sheer will, Aspholm powered away from the Corner Cycles racers and put on the Verge NECCS Leader’s jersey for the first time this year. The U-19 Men were headlined by Yohan Patry (Ride With Rendell)’s emphatic victory over Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) and Tyler Berliner (Belgen Cycles). The U-15 podium was swept by teammates for Bliss Racing Bill Harmeyer, Henry Harmeyer and Cooper Willsey.

The 45+ Masters victory was taken by Erich Gutbier (CCC Keltic Construction/Zane’s Cycles) in a sprint over perennial contender John Mosher (Wheelworks Racing). The 55+ win went to Tim Groesbeck of CCB Racing ahead of Edward Hamer from Joe’s Garage and Ravid Rath of Corner Cycle.

The first ever Womens 3/4 series jersey was taken by Elle Anderson (NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental) who edged Emma White (NYCross.com/VOMax/CBRC) with both a full minute ahead of third place Karen Tripp from Blue Steel Cyclery.

Day 2
The second race in the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle Smart saw a repeat of Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com)’s domination while Andrea Smith (Ladies First) took her first ever UCI win. In the men’s competition, the best Canadian result came from Thierry Laliberte (Xprezo-Borsao) of Quebec. The best Canadian woman was Sophie Matte (Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery).

The Elite Women’s race was clearly owned by the Ladies First cycling team with Andrea Smith taking victory with her teammates Ann D’Ambruoso second and Christina Tamilio third. Yet another Ladies First racer, yesterday’s runner-up, Crystal Anthony, took fourth place. For Smith, the victory was sweet, but her team’s showing was even more important. “Today was three years in the making,” said Smith, referring to the team’s beginnings as several women related to Landry’s Bicycles, members of Minuteman Road Club and coached by Larry Felton. For each racer on the podium, today’s was their best result in a UCI race. While Smith was solo off the front, having taken advantage of mishaps by Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (crossresults.com/pedalpowercoaching.com presented by JRA Cycles) and Rebecca Blatt (Silver Bull/Central Wheel), the remaining three Ladies First racers were forced to sprint for the second and third steps of the podium. Anthony, having bested Mo Bruno-Roy yesterday in a sprint, was overtaken by her teammates today and came fourth. For the first time in her cycling career, the Verge NECCS leader’s jersey moved to the shoulders of Andrea Smith.

The Elite Men’s race was almost a carbon copy of yesterday’s race with Tim Johnson taking an early lead and holding it the whole day. Behind, the chase today was more dynamic with a strong trio of racers working to bring Johnson back. Luca Damiani (El Gato CX p/b Podium Cycling) once again was on the hunt, today joined by Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Cannondale) and Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM Watches/Radix). Like yesterday, Damiani was the strongest of the chase and came through second after dropping his companions on the last lap. Lindine managed to put some space behind him, taking third and relegating the resurgent Spinelli to fourth. The sprint for fifth place determined today’s U-23 winner as Luke Keough (Champion Systems p/b Keough Cyclocross) held off Jerome Townsend (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/Scott) with Jesse Keough (Champion Systems p/b Keough Cyclocross) third.

Once again, Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo) imposed his will on the Masters 35+ field for his second victory of the weekend. Behind him was Kevin Hines (Corner Cycle) with bikeman.com/pbmcoaching/com’s Kurt Perham coming across third. Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle)’s fourth brought up thoughts that he hasn’t fully healed from his crash at Masters Nationals.

The 45+ field was once again won by Erich Gutbier (CCC Keltic Construction/Zane’s Cycles), today beating out Mark Gunsalus (Team Fuji/Clif Bar) and John Mosher (Wheelworks Racing) in a three-way sprint. The 55+ victor was, once again, CCB’s Tim Groesback and he, once again, bested Ed Hamel (Joe’s Garage), though today in a sprint, and David Rath (Corner Cycle).

Karl Hoppner (EMD Serono/Specialized) took a solo victory in the U-19 field. Behind him, Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) came second for the second time on the weekend and Nate Morse (CL Noonan) finished third.

The Women’s 3/4 field continued to prove itself an exciting new addition to the series. Today’s race finished with an elite group of four powering away. Emma White (nycross.com/VoMax/CBRC) bested Kathy Savary (Blue Steel Cyclery), Elizabeth Lukowshi (nycross.com/VoMax/CBRC) and Nancy Labbe-Giguere (Ladies First), who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Stay tuned for more cyclocross news from the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series by following the series on Twitter @VergeNECCS and Facebook.

Results

Day 1 here
Day 2 here