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Toronto UCI Cyclo-Cross - RACE REPORT
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Oct.21.2009 |
Toronto Cyclo-cross 2009, Day #1
Tim Johnson (cyclocrossworld.com) and Natasha Elliott (Garneau-Club Chaussures-Ogilvy) stood on the top step of the podium today at the GNC Toronto Cyclo-cross. Elliott also stepped up to pull on the red NACT series leader jersey.
The international field loved the course, with twists and turns at the bottom, and the difficult climb and the descent following it proved a challenge for all. A set of stairs was installed to force riders off the bike.
In the women's race, on the first time up the ski hill, Elliot had some company – Pepper Harlton(Juventus), who attacked hard, but seemed to push herself in the red as she dropped off to be picked up and passed by Planet Bike's Linda Sone, Kristin Wentworth, and eventually Kaitlin Antonneau.
Melissa Bunn(The Hub Race Team) was the local surprise in her first UCI race, missing 10th spot by only 12s.
In the men's race, Mike Garrigan(La Bicicletta) jumped off the start line and surprised the CyclocrossWorld.com crew to lead over the first set of barriers and up the climb. Eventually, after a crash by Jeremy Powers going over the barriers, a group formed at the front from which Johnson and Jamey Driscoll powered away from. To round out the podium it was Norco's Andrew Watson, to the roaring cheers from the Ontario faithful, that pulled away late and captured the third spot.
Congrats Andrew!
Toronto Cyclo-cross 2009, Day #2
Jeremy Powers (cyclocrossworld.com) and Natasha Elliott (Garneau-Club Chaussures-Ogilvy) were the winners today at the GNC Toronto Cyclo-cross. While Elliott defended her NACT jersey for the first time, Powers' win prevented either of his teammates from taking the jersey, in an exciting sprint finish.
Sunday's course used the opposite side of the ski hill, on a course that was considered by some to be more difficult than the ascents of the day before. Off-camber turns took the riders around the course where spectators could see the riders go back and forth as they went from mud to sand to grass to gravel.
Natasha was quickly off the front in the women's race opening a lead after a crash held up her nearest competitor Pepper Harlton. From there, Kaitlin Antonneau, a junior from Wisconsin provided the excitement as she passed Harlton and chased Elliott, closing to within 10 seconds with a lap to go.
Following the initial hole-shot taken by Jesse Anthony(Jamis), Jeremy Powers(Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) took control of the race and the rest of his team followed. The Cyclocrossworld.com team controlled the front of the race with each rider taking digs at the front.
The chase group contained Mike Garrigan(La Bicicletta), Anthony, Aaron Schooler(H&R Block), Derrick St. John(Garneau-Club Chaussures) and Tristan Schouten(Planet Bike).
On the last lap, the Cyclocrossworld.com started attacking each other, with crashes by both Powers and Anthony spicing up the action, but Powers came around the final corner first, taking the win.
St. John pushed the pace until it was himself and Schouten. With a half lap to go, it was St. John powering away over the barriers for fourth place.
Both courses received wide acclaim from riders and spectators alike and the weather co-operated to make the event an overwhelming success.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JON SAFKA www.cyclingphotos.ca
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