Round 2 of the 2013 Providence Cyclocross Festival saw Ben Berden and Tim Johnson locked in a battle royale.
The duo was ensconced in mortal combat for most of the race, and with no chase group to speak of, Johnson did everything in his power to rid himself of the Belgian, to include launching a sprint effort before the paved finish. However, in the end it was Berden who proved the stronger of the two – accelerating around Johnson for the victory.
Regaling in victory, Berden said he thought he could win if only he could hold Johnson’s wheel.
“I knew if I could stay on Tim’s wheel I was fastest at the finish line,” Berden said.
As for Johnson, he knew what he was up against.
“I was trying to get rid of Ben as best I could,” said Johnson. “He’s a really skilled rider. Anytime you have a guy who’s better than you in sprinting you have to get rid of him.”
Top 5 Finishers
1 Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh-Clement 2 Tim Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com 3 Raphael Gagne (Can) Rocky Mountain Factory Team 4 Ryan Trebon (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com 5 Stephen Hyde (USA) JAM Fund-NCC
Katerina Nash succeeded with a back-to-back victories at this year’s 2013 Providence Cyclocross Festival, by winning the elite women’s race today.
Nash managed to breakaway from Katie Compton going into the final lap – ultimately building a 10 second gap by the finish.
Helen Wyman began with a strong start, however her could manage a third place finish in today’s race.
“It was a great course once again. It was a lot different than yesterday,” said Nash. “Taking two victories, you can’t complain. This is an amazing start.”
Today’s race once again saw Wyman take the hole shot. The second lap unfolded into four-woman lead group containing Wyman, Nash, Katie Compton and Elle Anderson.
Compton subsequently fell, however via a quick remount, the US Champion managed to get back on terms with the lead group.
Compton later attacked on the pavement in the next round, but Nash and Wyman successively stayed on the wheel. Nash then initiated a launch of her own after departing the staircase run, but trouble clipping back in allowed Compton and Wyman to catch back up.
Nash and Compton took turns vying in the lead – putting a few bike lengths in on Wyman. However, heading into the final lap, Nash worked hard through the start-finish – gapping Compton.
From there, Nash continued to increase her lead over Compton all the way to the line.
Top 25 Finishers
1 Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team 0:37:39 2 Katie Compton (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective 0:00:12 3 Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing 0:00:31 4 Elle Anderson (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms-Specialized 0:00:47 5 Meredith Miller (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms-Specialized 0:01:05 6 Courtenay McFadden (USA) Bicycle Blue Book-HRS-Rock Lobster 0:01:06 7 Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles 0:01:15 8 Nicole Duke (USA) Marin-Spy 0:01:24 9 Maghalie Rochette (Can) Cyclocrossworld.com 0:01:27 10 Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com 0:01:31 11 Arley Kemmerer (USA) C3-Twenty20 Cycling 0:01:47 12 Laura Van Gilder (USA) Van Dessel p/b Mellow Mushroom 0:01:59 13 Mary McConneloug (USA) Team Kenda-Stan’s NoTubes 0:02:10 14 Caroline Mani (Fra) Raleigh-Clement 0:02:19 15 Emma White (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com 0:02:23 16 Natasha Elliott (Can) Rare Vos Racing-Stevens 0:02:44 17 Amanda Carey (USA) Stan’s NoTubes Elite 0:02:55 18 Cassandra Maximenko (USA) Rare Vos Racing 0:03:05 19 Crystal Anthony (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:03:16 20 Ellen Noble (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective 0:03:20 21 Christina Birch (USA) JAM Fund-NCC 0:03:22 22 Carolina Gomez Villafane (Arg) Team Rambuski Law 0:03:46 23 Frances Morrison (USA) C3-Twenty20 Cycling 0:03:48 24 Allison Arensman (USA) Sophisticated Living p/b Bob’s Red Mill 0:03:56 25 Jenny Ives (USA) Verge Sport-Test Pilot 0:04:03
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