November 12/05 10:21 am - Bessette Makes it 11 at "ChainBiter"

Posted by Editoress on 11/12/05
 

ChainBiter `Cross Farmington, Connecticut
Courtesy Milliman Media Group

An a ending as rare as it was exciting, Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) closed out the Elite Men's race at ChainBIter 7.0 in Farmington, Conn. with a narrow sprint finish win over Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai). Stop two on the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle-Smart, Farmington's final race came down to the final meters with Johnson leading out Wells, racing in his first UCI categorized event of the year, and just barely holding off the 2004 mountain bike Olympian.

"We were trying to hurt each other the last couple laps," said Johnson, who took the Verge NECCS overall leader's jersey off Mark McCormack's back by virtue of his win and McCormack finishing out of the top five.. "Todd was flying, he hasn't missed a beat from the end of his season. I led out the whole way, you know, "When in doubt lead it out." He eased back on me, but I had just enough."

Johnson and Wells formed the decisive trio with Under-23 series leader Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar) after several laps. Anthony hung on until two-to-go, when he couldn't maintain the fierce pace of the two former national champs. Anthony held on for third overall and top U-23, solidifying his hold on the U-23 jersey.

Newly crowned Canadian National Champion Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) chalked up her 11th straight win of the 2005 'cross season in the same fashion as she had the previous 10. Bessette soloed off the front of the Elite Women's field during the first lap and never looked back. Charging hard out of every corner and keeping her pace high for the duration, Bessette opened a minute-plus gap within a few laps, more than enough for another convincing win. Bessette was followed home by Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M-Vanilla Bicycle) with Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication) filling out the top three.

Pascal Biussieres (Biogen idec, Auberge La Goeliche) won the B Men's race, repeating his win from the Verge NECCS opener in Maine. Ethan Gilmour (Coyote Hill-K2) claimed a thriller in the Junior Men's race ahead of series leader Jerome Townsend (Bicycle Alley). Rob Hult (Fior di Frutta) turned the tables on defending series champion Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle) in the Men's 35+.

The Verge NECCS continues on Sunday with the Cycle-Smart International in Northampton, Mass.

Elite Men
1. Tim Johnson (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 54:29
2. Todd Wells (USA) Team GT/Hyundai, s.t.
3. Jesse Anthony (USA) Team Clif Bar, 0:32
4. Michael Cody (USA) FiordiFrutta Elite Cycling Team, 1:05
5. Jonathan Baker (USA) Primus Mootry Race Team
6. Mark McCormack (USA) Team ClifBar, both s.t.
7. Erik Tonkin (USA) Kona, 1:11
8. Greg Reain (USA) Stevens International Cyclocross Team, 2:22
9. Tristan Schouten (USA) Trek VW Michelin, 2:25
10. Matt White (USA) FiordiFrutta Elite Cycling Team, 2:35

Elite Women
1. Lyne Bessette (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 38:25
2. Rhonda Mazza (USA) Team S&M/Vanilla Bicycles, at 1:35
3. Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Independent Fabrication, 2:31
4. Mackenzie Dickey (USA) Team Bicycle Alley, 3:07
5. Tara Ross (USA) Victory Brewing, 3:25
6. Marianne Stover (USA) Independent Fabrication, 3:55
7. Pauline Frascone (USA) Independent Fabrication, 4:12
8. Rebecca Wellons (USA) Gearworks spin arts, 4:36
9. Amy Wallace (USA) Verizon Wireless Wheelworks, 4:51
10. Kami Tremblay (USA) Gearworks spin arts, 5:30