September 27/10 10:29 am - USGP Planet Bike Cup: Day 2

Posted by Editoress on 09/27/10
 

Johnson Turns the Tables; Compton Repeats in Wisconsin, September 26th in Sunprairie Wisconsin

Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld) scored one of the most impressive victories of his storied career today, taking the overall lead in the Greenware® US Gran Prix of Cyclocross Planet Bike Cup at the expense of a star-studded international field. Katie Compton (Planet Bike) repeated in similar fashion with a commanding solo victory over Georgia Gould (Luna) and a surprisingly strong Sue Butler (HUDZ Subaru). The women's race also saw a promising display of skill and power by several young riders, with four riders under age 24 in the top 12.

Butler opened with a strong first lap that pressed Compton back to eighth place. When the series leader finally pressed to the front, only Gould and Butler could respond. This grit would earn Butler honors as the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider. But Compton eventually pulled away from both and finished solo.

The announcing of new names in this field proved most impressive. Sally Annis (crossresults.com) scored sixth, ahead of 23-year-old phenom Amy Dombroski (Luna). The ride of 20-year old Ashley James (Kenda) to seventh, 24-year-old Teale Stetson Lee (California Giant/Specialized) in ninth, and 18-year-old Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) in 12th shocked many established elite women. (Antonneau had won two collegiate national track titles the day prior.)

The men's race saw another shocking confirmation of the arrival of U.S. 'cross. After an opening salvo by series leader Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), a massive group formed at the front that included stars from France, Switzerland, Italy and Canada. From that bunch fired Johnson, who rapidly opened a gap as much a result of his offense as Powers' defense. The full-contact racing sparked some pushing, shoving and even some post-race words from Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), frustrated in front of his sponsors.

Eventually Powers' blocking allowed him a chance to escape on his own to finish second.

Farther back a savage battle erupted with Page, Swiss star Christian Heule (Champion Systems), France's Francis Mourey (FDJ), Canada's Geoff Kabush (Maxxis), Todd Wells (Specialized), Tristan Schouten (Planet Bike), Ryan Trebon (Kona), and the surprisingly strong Italians Davide Frattini (Hudtz Subaru) and Luca Damiani (Kenda). Damiani's early attacks and strong finish would earn him honors as the SRAM Most Aggressive rider. Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld star Jamey Driscoll, showed mettle in his recovery from a brilliant 'Cross Vegas result, dangling on the tail of the group but unable to provide assistance to his teammates.

USGP press release