October 18/10 10:55 am - Granogue Cyclocross: Day 1 and 2 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 10/18/10
 

Granogue Cross (UCI 2) in Wilmington DE on Saturday, October 16th

To celebrate the 10th edition of what has been called the toughest cross race in North America, the Delaware Cyclocross Coalition of Delaware (DCCoD) changed this year’s Granogue Cyclocross, part of the Champion System MAC Series, to a two day format. Close to 1250 racers signed on to partake in the celebration that is DCCoD’s "pimpin' your cross since 2001."   Saturday’s three UCI sanctioned races illustrated three different ways to win a race.

The Elite men's race was highlighted by Jesse Anthony of California Giant, who broke away from the Elite Men'’s field and soloed to victory. Behind Anthony, a tight battle developed between Justin Lindine of BikeReg and Adam (a.k.a. “Newt”) McGrath of Feedback/Van Dessel for the final podium spots. Lindine was able to out McGrath for the silver.

The Elite women's race was a C3-Athletes Serving Athletes dominated affair with teammates Laura Van Gilder, Dee Dee Winfield and Arley Kemmerer sweeping the podium. Winfield jumped to an early lead. But the tenacious Van Gilder clawed her way back to the hard-charging Winfield, and took a close sprint finish for the win. Kemmerer soloed in for the third place on the podium.

Granogue also hosted one of only 4 UCI Junior races on Saturday. Yanick Eckman (Hottubes Development) and hometown favorite Jeff Bahnson (Van Dessel Factory Team) separated themselves from the hard chasing pack and a two-man battle unfolded. The duel came down to the final lap. On the final section of the course, Bahnson bobbled on the barriers and Eckman was able to slip away to earn a hard fought win. Karl Hoppner (EMD Serano Specialized) finished third.

Granogue Cross (UCI 2) in Wilmington DE on Sunday, October 17th

The 1200 plus racers on hand for Day 2 of the 2010 Granogue Cyclocross were treated to perhaps the most exciting finish in the 11 year history of the race. Switzerland’s defending Champion System MAC season champon Valentin Scherz (Cyfac-Champion Systems) charged off the group early in the race and began building a lead that would swell to 30 seconds at its largest. However, Saturday's champion Jesse Anthony (Cal Giant) slowly began to chop away at that lead. With one lap to go Anthony was quickly
closing in on Scherz. With just half a lap remaining, the New Englander would make contact with Scherz as the two hit the tarmac on the final straight together. The finish stretch at Granogue is a long, slightly uphill, slightly curved paved road. In a hotly contested sprint, the two riders came to the line with Anthony taking the lead for the first time, as he won the sprint in a bike throw. Justin Lindine (BikeReg.com-Joe's Garage) would solo in for third place.

In the elite women's race, Laura Van Gilder (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) would look to put her stamp on the race from the gun. Taking the hole shot, and building a small gap, Van Gilder wouldn't look back and would solo to her second victory in as many days.  Van Gilder's teammate, Dee Dee Winfield, would put in a great race herself as she rode solo to second place. The biggest question in the race today was whether C3-Athletes Serving Athletes would
be able to sweep the podium on consecutive days. Arley Kemmerer (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) and Ann D'Ambruoso (Ladies First Racing) would wage an epic battle for third
with each rider throwing multiple punches throughout the race. It appeared this one might go the the line, but in the final half lap D'Ambruoso was able to find just a small gap and it was enough to take home the win.

In the UCI Junior race, just one of 4 UCI weekends for Juniors in North America this year, Yannick Eckman (Hot Tubes Development) took the hole shot and lead wire-to-wire, riding consistently to victory. Hometown rider Jeff Bahnson (Van Dessel Factory) was able to separate himself form the remaining juniors and gave a solid chase, but finished strongly in second place. C3-Athletes Serving Athletes Sam O'Keefe charged away from the pack with 3 to go, to claim 3rd place in today race.

The Champion System MAC Series returns to action with its annual New Jersey Weekend on October 30-31. The famous steps of the Beacon Cyclocross’ Amphitheater of Pain and the flowing course of the HPCX will make up the Halloween Weekend UCI double-header. For more information on both races, see BikeReg.com.