December 6/09 9:03 am - USGP STANLEY Portland Cup Day One

Posted by Editoress on 12/6/09
 

Ryan Trebon was the odds on favorite to win today at the USGP STANLEY Portland Cup - racing practically in his own back yard on a course that has proven very much to his liking at USGPs past- but Todd Wells did not get the memo. The much ballyhooed match-up between the west coast powerhouse Kona team vs the east coast Cannondale/CyclocrossWorld.com did not develop the way fans expected as Todd Wells rode a brilliant race from start to finish claiming victory in front of a record number of fans in frosty Portland,OR at the penultimate race of the 2009 USGP Series.

Heading into the barrier section on lap one, Powers and Trebon led a chase group containing Geoff Kabush, Wells and Chris Jones. As Powers and Trebon traded blows on the front, an always relaxed and comfortable looking Wells rode methodically through the competition. As he roared by Kabush in the pits, Wells proved that a late start to your season can be a benefit -passing his competitors with ease and never seeming to reach the bottom of his reserves. As Wells surged to the front, Powers remained close while Trebon faded further back. Coming onto the pavement for the finish Wells led with Powers sprinting hard on his heels. Roaring to the line, Wells sat up for a well-earned vicotry salute - causing many a spectator to flinch a wee bit as Powers was closing fast. Trebon held on to finish third. For his impressive efforts Zach McDonald received the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider prize - riding from dead last in the call-ups to a tenth place finish.

LUNA's Katerina Nash came to Portland for the final stop of the USGP of Cyclocross with a commanding Series lead and today she proved no less dominant than in previous USGP outings. Nash has crushed her competition all season long and today proved to be no different. Alison Sydor had another strong start but soon faded to the chase group as only Amy Dombroski (Schlamm p/b Clement & Primus Mootry) was able to stay close. Sydor along with Meredith Miller and Nash's LUNA Teammate Alison Dunlap made chase but ultimately could not make up ground on the flying Nash.

With yet another USGP victory delivered, Nash has all but wrapped up her second consecutive Series title. Dombroski crossed the line in second and showed that she is a rider coming into form at the right time of the season. She also claimed the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider Prize for her never-say-die ride against such a formidable opponent. Sydor, who had dangled behind a powerful Meredith Miller and Alison Dunlap, found new strength to launch a late attack to out sprint Miller for the third step of the podium.

Women
1 Katerina Nash (Luna Chix)
2 Amy Dombroski (Schlamm p/b Clement & Primus Mootry)
3 Alison Sydor (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain)
4 Meredith Miller (Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized)
5 Alison Dunlap (Luna Chix)
6 Kelli Emmett (Giant)
7 Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale)
8 Linda Sone (Planet Bike)
9 Barb Howe (Vanderkitten)
10 Kaitlin Antonneau (Planet Bike)

SRAM Most Aggressive Rider: Amy Dombroski

Men
1 Todd Wells (Specialized)
2 Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com)
3 Ryan Trebon (Kona/FSA)
4 Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com)
5 Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com)
6 Chris Jones (Champion Systems)
7 Geoff Kabush (Maxxis - Rocky Mountain)
8 Danny Summerhill (Felt - Holowesko Partners - Garmin)
9 Barry Wicks (Kona/FSA)
10 Zach McDonald (Stevens/Classic Cycles)


SRAM Most Aggressive Rider: Zach McDonald