Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

Sunday, October 28, 2007 Powers and Compton Prevail on Day One of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers – Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota By jhanscom @ 2:13 AM :: 1072 Views :: 0 Comments :: Louisville KY (October 27, 2007) – Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) won the Elite Men’s race and Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) notched another win in the Elite Women’s competition on day one of the six-race fall classic that is the 2007 U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers at the Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota.   On an overcast day with a few light showers, more than 3,000 raucous spectators descended upon Champions Park in Louisville to witness the first UCI sanctioned cycling event ever in Kentucky.   Elite Men The men’s race was an incredible race with multiple lead changes throughout. Out of the gate it was a group of five off the front which included defending USGP champion Ryan Trebon (Kona-YourKey.com), Barry Wicks (Kona-YourKey.com), Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com), Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Chris Jones (Nerac Pro Cycling).   A few laps in the group dissolved with Jones crashing and Wicks being dropped. Trebon, just back from Europe, attacked repeatedly but was unable to put distance between himself, Powers and Johnson.   Eventually, Johnson attacked Powers but Trebon couldn’t answer. It was Powers and Johnson alone until the last lap when Powers pulled away for the win with Johnson finishing for a close second. Wicks fought back to finish third and Trebon finished fourth.   Adam Craig (Giant), who started in the fourth row, fought through the entire field to finish in fifth. For his efforts, Craig was awarded the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider. For Powers, today’s win marks three UCI wins in three weeks (Gloucester and Wissahickon).   Elite Women The women’s race was never really a race but an amazing smack down by the number one ranked Katie Compton (Spike Shooter). The World Championship Silver Medalist exploded from the start and went wire to wire for the victory.   Behind Compton was a determined group of three Canadians – Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com), Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood). The trio, one week removed from their clash in the Canadian National Championships, battled together for the entire race.    It looked as if one of these women would finish second but theirs ended up a battle for third. That is because Georgia Gould (Luna), who started the day in 27th starting position, fought her way the entire race attacked the group of Bessette/Simms/Sydor. Gould eventually pulled away from them for second place. For her effort Gould was awarded the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider.   It was then Bessette, Simms and Sydor in a bunch sprint for third which was won by former MTB World Champion Sydor. Simms took fourth and Bessette fifth.               U23 In the U23 category, it was a battle between 2006 USGP U23 champion Jamey Driscoll (FiordiFrutta) and the 2006 USGP Junior champion and current World Championship Silver medalist Danny Summerhill (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team).   Driscoll and Summerhill were wheel to wheel the entire race with Summerhill winning the sprint at the end to take first place. The battle for third also was decided by a sprint between Bjorn Selander (Ridley) and Chance Noble (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) with Selander prevailing.   Other Race Notes   Despite the rain this week, the course was tacky but not sloppy and featured a Belgian-style flyover popular with riders and spectators alike.   Chris Horner, who was in contention for the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider award, crashed on the last lap injuring his arm and finished in 10th place.     Sunday’s race schedule:   Papa John’s Derby City Cup Race #2 8:30am – Cat 4 Men 9:15am – Cat 3 / 4 Women, Junior 10-16 10:00am – Cat 2/3 Men 11:15 am - Masters 45+ , Masters 55+, USGP Junior 17-18 12:15pm – USGP Masters 35+ (Cat 1-3) 1:45 pm – UCI Elite Women 3:00pm – UCI Elite Men/U23

Comments Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one! Click here to post a comment