Race Report: Rapha Super Cross Gloucester, Day Two

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.