Cannondale dominates US Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross
Two rounds of the New Belgium Cup were held over the weekend in Fort Collins, the fifth and sixth rounds of the US Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross (USGP). Encouraged by James Driscoll’s podium in Saturday’s day one of the Cup, on Sunday Driscoll’s team Cannondale
took a one-two victory in the hands of Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers.
The American cyclo-cross team now holds the top three spots in the USGP. Johnson is the new leader with 250 points, followed closely by Powers with 234. Driscoll has a narrow hold on third place with 142 points, only four ahead of American Ryan Trebon and
Canadian Geoff Kabush tied in fourth place. Trebon was Johnson’s strongest opponent in Sunday’s race, with the pair leading the pack from the third lap on.
"The first couple of laps I was letting Ryan and Jeremy just keep smashing each other," said Johnson to the New Belgium Cup press. "You kind of forget it's altitude, but it is, and it does hurt. Even if you don't pay for it with how hard you can pedal, you
pay by making mistakes. So I tried to stay as patient as possible."
Powers flatted at the end of the second lap and the two rivals took control of the race. Eventually, Johnson got lucky when Trebon made a critical mistake which resulted in a crash, and ultimately finished the day in 11th place.
"It was a frustrating moment because I was on such a good day. I just couldn't get myself back into it mentally," said Trebon. "I took a pit bike, but then I wasn't comfortable with the set up and the tire pressure, and it threw me for a loop. One mistake
turned into four, and while sometimes you can push through those issues, other times it defeats you."
Trebon rode better on Saturday when he finished on the podium behind Kabush and Driscoll. The same trio stands together in the top five of the USGP behind Johnson and Powers. Driscoll finished Saturday’s race 22 seconds behind Kabush and Trebon finished
47 seconds behind. The runner-up’s Cannondale team-mate and new USGP leader Johnson was in fifth on Saturday, 59 seconds behind the Canadian.
"Ryan, Todd and I couldn't put together a whole good lap, we could just do a few good sections - but Jamey was putting together entire laps that were smooth and steady, just like Kabush, which is why they put so much time on us," said Johnson on Saturday.
Kabush finished on the podium again on Sunday behind the winning Cannondale pair and ahead of their team-mate Driscoll, who finished on the Canadian’s wheel in both races.
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