PRESS RELEASE
9/28/2014For Immediate Release
Contact:
Cynthia Brennan
Media Coordinator
Verge NECXS
cynthiakbrennan@gmail.com

Spectators were treated to exciting racing throughout this second day of Rapha Super Cross Gloucester as competitors battled hard in all fourteen categories of racing on a course even drier than yesterday's. After thousands of tires passed through the course yesterday, continuing throughout the day today, the ground was chewed down into sand, exposing rocks, roots, and loose corners where before there had been none. The fast course required excessive power, but racers also needed plenty of handling skills in order to remain upright through the sandy corners. The second day of the Verge New England Cyclocross Series presented by Stan's NoTubes and Cycle-Smart saw many hard-fought battles for lead in the Series competitions.

The Elite Women lit up the start, with Arley Kemmerer (PB2 Pro Cycling) speeding up the start straight to move into an early lead. Emily Zaveta (Amy D. Racing) jumped on her wheel, and Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) and Gabby Durrin (Team Neon Velo) quickly followed. Crystal Anthony (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) chased the group of four, but it was Caroline Mani (Raleigh/Clement) who managed to bridge to the leaders. Mani's broken wrist makes sprint starts and standing attacks next to impossible, so her style this weekend has been to surge steadily until she catches the lead group. Kemmerer attacked and built a gap, but Mani hadn't yet finished her surge. As Maghalie Rochette (Luna Pro Team) bridged to the leaders, Mani caught Kemmerer and powered right through her. Mani continued an amazing ride to win the race despite her injury. Kemmerer's ride was decidedly strong, and she finished second. Rochette finished third after attacking the chase, claiming the U23 Women's lead in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Mani claimed the Elite Women's jersey in the Series from Wyman, who finished fourth today.

"Racing is really painful right now, but the huge crowd cheering today really helped me forget about the pain," said Mani of winning today and taking the Series lead - despite her injury.

Next up, the Elite Men stampeded onto the course, kicking up clouds of dust as they went. Lukas Winterberg (MG-Cycling Team) was on the attack, gaining a gap on the chase very early into the race. Curtis White (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) got to Winterberg's wheel, and then yesterday's winner Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing) shut down their advantage with a huge chase group on his wheel. Powers moved to the front of the group, and was soon on the attack to defend his Series lead. Winterberg, worn out from the time he spent on the front in today's heat and dust, couldn't prevent the motivated Powers from getting away. Meanwhile, Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh/Clement) attacked the chase behind Winterberg and Powers, cranking the pedals and putting major time into the shattered chase. Driscoll sped through the space between him and Winterberg, catching the Swiss rider and passing him in short time. Driscoll set his sights on Powers, who increased his pace in response to the pressure. Powers maintained his gap to win, sweeping the first weekend of Verge NECXS racing in 2014. Driscoll powered in for a well-earned second, with Winterberg behind him in third. Curtis White finished a strong fourth today to retain his U23 Men's Series lead.

PRESS RELEASE
9/27/2014For Immediate Release
Contact:
Cynthia Brennan
Media Coordinator
Verge NECXS
cynthiakbrennan@gmail.com


The opening day of the 2014 Verge New England Cyclocross Series presented by Stan's NoTubes and Cycle-Smart was today's first day of racing at Rapha Super Cross Gloucester. Dry, dusty course conditions added an element of uncertainty to this fast course overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Decisive features included two sets of stairs, a set of barriers, and characteristic off-camber swooping turns. The usual ocean breezes at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester were absent today, and racers faced an added challenge with summer-like heat.

A massive Elite Women's field brimming with talent and speed took the course this afternoon, led by Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing), Gabby Durrin (Team Neon Velo), Kaitie Antonneau (Twenty16 Professional Racing Team), local powerhouse Crystal Anthony (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), and Meredith Miller (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team). On a fast course like Gloucester's, the group stayed together, playing tactical games and trading attacks. Wyman controlled every attempt by her competitors to gain gaps, while the cat-and-mouse helped Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC) and Caroline Mani (Raleigh/Clement) to bridge to the leaders. A broken wrist forced Mani to race in a cast, but she seemed unperturbed by this setback, riding stronger and stronger in the heat of the afternoon. Mani, Miller, then Anthony launched attacks, but a bike tangle involving Miller and Anthony took both out of contention. Wyman and Antonneau went clear in the last lap, creating a gap the remaining chasers, Mani and Durrin, couldn't close. Although Wyman and Antonneau hit the final pavement stretch together, Wyman took the sprint. Antonneau followed for second, Durrin took third, and Mani claimed an amazing fourth despite her injury. Ellen Noble claimed the U23 women's win.

"I'm happy with fourth, especially in my condition," said Mani of her race.

Next, the Elite Men were off, kicking up clouds of dust as they stampeded through the start. Allen Krughoff (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team) grabbed the lead early on, and soon had a gap on the field. A worthy chase formed behind him, with strong contenders among the charge: Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund/NCC), Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld), Ben Berden (Raleigh/Clement), Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing), Lukas Winterberg (MG-Cycling Team), Jonathan Page (Fuji/Spy), Curtis White (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld), Dan Timmerman (House Industries/Simplehuman/Richard Sachs), and Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh/Clement). The group remained intact, Krughoff setting a very fast pace while Winterberg and then Hyde followed second, until Powers attacked and quickly gapped the others. Although Krughoff tried to bridge to Powers, he found himself paying for his earlier efforts. Powers' gap only grew, and, as the chase mustered to bring him back, Timmerman went away from them. Powers rolled in for a solid win, Timmerman behind him, and Berden bested teammate Driscoll for third. White won the U23 victory with a great ride. Sadly, Miller needed stitches after her crash and won't be starting tomorrow's race.

"I was hurting at the beginning," said Powers. "I survived the attacks, then made my move. Gloucester is such a great race, especially today with the huge crowd cheering!"

In the earlier Series races today, coach to the Elites Al Donahue (JAM Fund/NCC) took the 35+ men's leaders jersey while heir to the Keough bike racing dynasty Ian Keough (Hot Tubes Junior Development) won the Junior Men's jersey. Curtis and Emma White's younger brother Harrison White (Cyclocrossworld Development Team) proved he'll be one to watch by winning the Cub Junior Boy's crown, while Ryley Mosher (Wheelworks) won the Girl's division. Paul Richard (Riverside Racing) won 45+ Men's, Bib Bisson (Maggie Rosas/Grace Barker/The Willo) won 55+, and Preston Buerher (B2C2 p/b Boloco) took the Category 3 Men's win.

In the first edition of the Series to offer a women's Category 3 race in addition to a beginner's Category 4 race, Becca Fahringer (JAM Fund/NCC) won the overall Cat 3 jersey, and Clara Kelly (NEBC) won 35+, while Turner Ramsay (KMS Cycling) won the Junior Women's division.

Tomorrow's race will be available for live stream from Gnarly Monkey athttp://www.gnarlymonkey.com/. Watch cycle-smart/necxs for news and updates, and be sure to follow @VergeNECXS for live race updates and more!

Full results available from Crossresults:
http://www.crossresults.com/race/4216#cat52866

The 2014-2015 New England UCI Cyclocross season officially kicks off this weekend, September 27 and 28, with Rapha Super Cross Gloucester. Gorgeous Stage Fort Park in Gloucester hosts the oceanside race for the sixteenth time, this year marking the first edition with new title sponsor Rapha on board. The partnership of revered cycling brand Rapha with this historic race promises classic and exciting racing this weekend - and for years to come.

Huge crowds mass for this weekend of racing, famously known around New England as the biggest cyclocross race in the region. Amateur racers, their families, and large numbers of cycling fans will crowd the venue to spectate the headlining acts of the weekend, the Elite races, from the famous Great Brewers' Beer Garden. The races this year will certainly be the most thrilling to watch yet.

Fresh from a solid win at CrossVegas, Meredith Miller (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team) brings her sprinting legs to New England to challenge British National Cyclocross Champion Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) and the legendary Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom p/b Pink Siren Sports). In the mix battling for top spots will be New England natives Crystal Anthony (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC), and Cassandra Maximenko (Rare VOS Racing/Van Dessel/PowerBar), all ranked within the top 15 in the Pro CX standings.

US National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing), who won both days of Gloucester last year, looks to be an unstoppable force so far this season. Arriving to challenge him will be Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld), Allen Krugoff (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team), Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement), and former US National Cyclocross Champion Jonathan Page (Fuji/SPY).

In addition to being part of Rapha's international Super Cross Series, Rapha Super Cross Gloucester begins the 2014 Verge New England Cyclocross Series, the longest-running UCI series in the US. The Series encompasses a total of fourteen Elite and amateur categories, spanning the entire weekend and continuing through the season with three races selected for their commitment to quality racing. The oldest UCI cyclocross race in the US, the Cycle-Smart International, celebrates its 24th year November 1 & 2. On November 29 & 30, the Baystate Cyclocross brings its signature technical challenges to Sterling, MA. The grand Series finale will be held December 6 & 7 at the NBX Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Warwick, RI. The race is also a part of USA Cycling's season-long Pro CX calendar, which will award the top US racers this 2014-2015 season prizes totaling $40,000.

A photo exhibition celebrating the essence of Gloucester's character - and the character of the other stunning Rapha Super Cross locations around the world - during the 363 days a year these towns are not hosting world-class cyclocross races. Ben Ingham's Theatres of Cross: Exhibition will be on view at Gloucester's own art space, The Hive, Friday and Saturday in conjunction with the race weekend.

Gloucester will be broadcast live on gnarlymonkey.com, and fans can also follow along live on Twitter at @VergeNECXS and @gpgloucester. News and updates will be posted regularly at cycle-smart.com/necxs and at gpgloucester.com. The hashtag to use for this race weekend is #RSCgloucester.

For two days a year, the beauty of Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park serves as the backdrop for one of the biggest cyclocross races in the US. The historic race is also a stop on the global tour of the Rapha Super Cross Series, spanning Japan to England, Australia to the US.

Ben Ingham’s Theatres of Cross: Exhibition explores the essence of Gloucester’s character - and the character of the other stunning race locations around the world - during those other 363 days. This seaside town’s long history and understated beauty feature prominently in this photo exhibition as it travels to Manchester, New York, San Francisco, and Gloucester’s own art space, The Hive.

The opening reception from 7-9 pm on September 25 will feature light refreshments. The exhibition will remain on view through Friday and Saturday, coinciding with racing events at Rapha Super Cross Gloucester.


Theatres of Cross: Exhibition
Ben Ingham
The Hive
http://thehivecenter.org/
11 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, MA
Opening Reception: Sept 25
On view Sept 25-27

Rapha Super Cross Gloucester
http://www.gpgloucester.com/
Stage Fort Park
Sept 27 + 28

For Immediate Release
Contact: Henry Ferrini – 978-281-2355

Gloucester Writers Center and the RAPHA SUPER CROSS GLOUCESTER sponsor presentation by author Lorenz J. Finison on “Boston’s Cycling Craze, 1880-1900.
September 27th, 2014, 7:30 PM
Cultural Center of Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester

There will be a presentation and book signing by Lorenz J. Finison, founding member of Cycling through History and author of Boston’s Cycling Craze, 1880-1900 on Saturday evening at 7:30 at the Cultural Center of Rocky Neck. The event will follow the Pro Cyclocross Race held Saturday at Stage Fort Park. Finison explores the rise of Boston Cycling through the lives of several participants, including Kittie Knox, a bi-racial twenty year-old seamstress: Mary Sargent Hopkins, publisher of the Wheelwoman; and Abbot Bassett, a vocal cycling advocate for forty years. Finison reveals the challenges facing these riders in a time of segregation, increased immigration, and debates about the rights of women.

From 1877 to 1896, the popularity of bicycles increased exponentially, and Boston was in on it from the start. The Boston Bicycle Club was the first in the nation and the city’s cyclists formed the nucleus of a new national organization the League of American Wheelmen. Massachusetts had the largest per capital membership in the league in the 1890s and the largest percentage of women members.

There will be a suggested donation of $10.00,. $5.00 for students with proceeds benefitting GWC community education programs. As always at GWC events no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information go to gloucesterwriters.org.

www.lesterlives.wordpress.com
www.gloucesterwriters.org
www.ferriniproductions.com
www.polisIsthis.com
5 Wall Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
office: 978-281-2355
Cell: 978-290-3445