October 27/05 11:11 am - Armstrong and Crow on Saturday Night Live, Verge Cyclo-Cross Standings

Posted by Editoress on 10/27/05
 

Just in case you have been out of touch lately (like living under a rock at the South Pole), Lance Armstrong will be hosting this weekend's Saturday Night Live. Cheryl Crow will be the musical guest (surprise!). Check your local listings for times and stations.


Bessette, McCormack Lead Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series
Courtesy NECCS

As the wet days of another New England October drip away, Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) and Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar) lead the series standings in 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle-Smart in the Elite Women's and Men's races, respectively. Bessette and McCormack won their respective races in the flooded mud bogs of the 2005 Downeast Cyclo-Cross in New Gloucester, Maine, October 15th and will hit the heart of the Verge NECCS races with a good head of steam.

Bessette has been the uncontested queen of North American cyclo-cross thus far in 2005, marking her return to the Å’cross circuit with a string of impressive wins. For his part, four-time defending Verge NECCS champion McCormack has held his fine form from the road season into the fall. However, McCormack figures to face a serious challenge through the remaining five Verge NECCS races from Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), whose rapid grab at UCI points will see the 2001 National Champion lining up on the front of the start grid for the rest of the season. Defending Under-23 series and national champion, Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar), continues to go from strength to strength. His regular position in the top-five in the Elite Men's race could cement him another series title.

Last year's Masters 35+ series champ, Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle), continues his run on the jersey, leading after New Gloucester. But Bold could face a real challenge from first-year masters racer Rob Hult (Fior di Frutta). New York's Christopher Long (Independent Fabrication) leads the 45+ category after the first race. In what promises to be a season-long battle, Jerome Townsend (Bicycle Alley) leads in the Junior series standings. Canadian Pascal Bussibres (Abbrsuz LA GoeLiche) heads up the B race series. Pip Bannister (Putney-West Hill) leads the Masters 55+ while Jarred Reutar (44Velo) is tops in the Cub Junior category.

The 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series continues November 12-13 in Farmington, Conn. and Northampton, Mass.

2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series
Series Points Standings after Round 1

Elite Men
1. Mark McCormack (Clif Bar), 60 pts
2. Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), 50
3. Matt Kraus (Alan Factory Team), 45
4. Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar), 40
5. Tyler Johnson (Easton/Kona CCA), 35
6. Peter Wedge (Kona-Les Gets), 30
7. Michael Cody (FiordiFrutta), 28
8. Andrew Freye (Bikeman.com-Oakley), 26
9. Benoit Simard (Specialized Canada), 24
10. Ryan O'Conner (1K2Go/S+W Sports), 22

17. David Gagnon (Quebec), 9

Elite Women
1. Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), 50 pts
2. Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication), 40
3. Anna Milkowski (Gearworks-Spinarts Cycling Team), 32
4. Tara Ross (Victory Brewing), 25
5. Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication), 20
6. Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless Wheelworks), 18
7. Mackenzie Dickey (Team Bicycle Alley), 16
8. Kani Trenblay (Gearworks/Spinarts), 14
9. Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks/Spin Arts), 12
10. Catherine Dudley, 10