December 8/12 20:09 pm - USGP of Cyclo-cross: Deschutes Brewery Cup Day 1 results

Posted by Editoress on 12/8/12
 

It turned into a battle of the teammates.  In both the Elite Women and Elite Men's races the outcome was decided in a man on man battle between members of the same team.

In the Elite Women's race LUNA teammates Georgia Gould and Katerina Nash attacked the group early and worked together to establish an insurmountable lead on the rest of the field.   Behind them former teammates Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) and Nicole Duke (Alchemy) chased hard trying to minimize their losses.   As Duke faded back, Mani surged ahead into a solo third position that she maintained for the duration of the race.   Behind her Duke was joined by a group that contained both Amanda Miller (Optum p/b Kelley Benefit Strategies) and Meredith Miller (Cal. Giant Berries) who was making her return to racing after breaking her hand in October. 

Once Gould and Nash opened a comfortable lead on the field their own truce was canceled and the two took turns attacking each other.   Ultimately Nash struck the winning blow and rapidly opened up an 18 second lead on Gould.   Mani rode 50 seconds behind the LUNA leader and behind her things were fracturing as Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com) surged out of the group to finish a strong fourth place.

In the Elite Men's race a group of four riders including teammates Ryan Trebon (Cannondale / Clement), Tim Johnson (Cannondale/ People for Bikes/ VW), Danny Summerhill (Garmin / Chipotle) and Yannick Eckmann (Cal. Giant Berries) rapidly established a break on the rest of the field. Summerhill crashed, leaving Eckmann to hold on against the two surging teammates.   Ultimately Eckmann faded back to a chase group that contained Summerhill, Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement), Adam Craig (Rabobank/ Giant) and Jamey Driscoll.   Zach McDonald (Rapha Focus) bridged across to the chase and U23 Series Leader Eckmann.  With a lap remaining Trebon and Johnson were attacking each other and the chase was fracturing.  Trebon got the front on the last half a lap and out-sprinted Johnson in a furious finish to take the win.   Behind them Adam Craig attacked the group and soloed in for a strong third place finish.  McDonald beat Eckmann to the line in the U23 battle.  Cal. Giant Berry rider Cody Kaiser finished third in that contest.

Racing resumes Sunday at 8am with a full schedule of amateur racing.   The Elite Women race at 2:15pm  - where Georgia Gould will attempt the wrest the Series overall title from the shoulders of the absent Katie Compton.   The men's contest begins at 3:30pm in what promises to be a thrilling rematch of today.

Press release

Results from the Deschutes Brewery Cup #1 in Bend Oregon