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USGP#3 - Mercer Cup #1 - C2
Trenton, New Jersey, USA, November 17, 2007
Gould takes USGP lead
By Kirsten Robbins in Trenton, New Jersey
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After double seconds at the opening two USGP series rounds Georgia Gould (Luna) helped herself to the top spot on the podium and claimed the prestigious series lead at round three's Mercer Cup. Gould ran away from her stiff competition through the ankle deep sand pit, holding a lead of over 30 second from second placed Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld) and an additional 10 seconds over team-mate Katrina Nash (Luna).
"Its not often we get such a long sand pit but I liked it because the run wasn't very long," said the new USGP leader. "I tried to stay on the gas the whole time and not let up at all because it was really hard out there, flat a lot of wind and not much recovery."
How it unfolded
The predicted riders emerged out of the Selle Italia Swirl, a circular twist over a small hill forcing riders to use what ever technical ability they had to stay with the riders like Gould, Bessette and Canadian national champion Wendy Simms (Kona), Alyson Sydor (Rocky Mountain) and Rachel Lloyd (ProMan). The leading ladies put on a highly anticipated showdown for their east coast 'cross fans.
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Sydor, a former world mountain bike champion, hit the sand and nearly cleared it to the end with Bessette and Gould in tow. The top three positions on the podium looked to be sewn up, but Gould's winning attack on the third run through the sand shattered the small leading group into irreparable pieces.
"Confidence was really important in a race like this," said Gould. "You have to be aggressive the whole time, go fast around the corers and if you let off the gas at any point the gaps will open. So confidence was definitely a key factor."
Gould admitted that she enjoyed the mix of strong riders, a product of the growth of women's racing in the US. "I think having a strong field is making the racing really great for all the American and Canadian women," said Gould. "For us to be able to race each other here without feeling like we have to go over to Europe to get some good racing."
Bessette gave Gould a run for her money, closing in on her several times before the elastic band finally broke. "I wanted to see how I could get through the corners on my own in the first lap," said Bessette, referring to her enormous effort on lap one. "Georgia is riding very strong and obviously stronger than I was on this course today. She is such a great mountain biker that all the little things added up, like corners, she gains tiny gaps because she is so smooth. I closed a lot of little gaps to her today but after that I was getting tired."
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The courageous Katrina Nash worked her way over the course with ease and then back into contention for a podium placing. "I had the front group of girls in sight," said Nash, who started from the fourth row. "You know, going into the race I knew I was at a disadvantage being so far back. But I went into it thinking just race fast, take risks and see how far you can get."
Nash flew through Simms, Lloyd and Sydor, but was 10 seconds shy of making contact with Bessette on the finishing lap. "I had to patient because there were a large group of people in front of me," she explained. "The good thing about the course was that there were sections that were wide open and great for passing people. Once I got around everyone I just kept chasing and it worked out great."
Gould noted her surprising lead over some of the greatest cyclists in North America. "I was surprised to have opened a gap on the others and I know that it's really hard to chase when it's windy and the course is hard," said Gould. "Its hard for everyone so I decided to just get that little gap right away and really ten seconds isn't that much if you have some mechanical trouble."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Russ and Nancy Wright/www.abbiorca.com
- Fall colours frame these riders in the USGP #3.
- USGP Elite women's winner Georgia Gould (Luna).
- Georgia Gould (Luna) over the barricades.
- Rachel Lloyd (Proman/Pardigm) put in a good effort.
- Katrina Nash (Luna) in mid-air.
- Georgia Gould (Luna) led from the first lap.
Images by Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com
- A large elite women's field rocket under the USGP banner in Mercer County, NJ.
- Barbara Howe and team-mate Anna Milkowski (Velo Bella-Kona) share the strain during the opening laps.
- RMG Watches - Richard Sachs rider Amy Wallace conquers a short climb and focuses on the next turn.
- Kristen Kelsey (Evolution Racing) starts the domino effect when she runs into a rider that found it hard to navigate the sand section.
- A small bobble by one rider causes riders to back-up like rush-hour traffic.
- Kerry Barnholt (Tokyo Joes / Van Dessel) clears the hurdles with power to spare.
- Lynn Bessette (Cyclocrossworld) chased Georgia Gould all race but came up a bit short in the end.
- Georgia Gould (Luna) dominated the elite women's field and takes the honours in Mercer County.
- The elite women's podium: Georgia Gould (Luna), Lynn Bessette (Cyclocrossworld) and Katerina Nash (Luna).
- Georgia Gould (Luna) sprays the crowd as Lynn Bessette (Cyclocrossworld) shields herself.
Images by Fj Hughes/www.fhughesphoto.com
- After a bad start, Katarina Nash (Luna Women's MTB Team) charged through the women's field to take the third step on the podium.
- Georgia Gould (Luna Women's MTB Team) again should her strength by dominating the race from the start.
- Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com/ Leer) chased after Gould but in the end had to settle for holding off Nash.
- Lyne Bessette looks happy to be on the podium.
- Women's podium l-r: Lyne Bessette(Cyclocrossworld.com/ Leer), Georgia Gould(Luna Women's MTB Team), Katarina Nash(Luna Women's MTB Team).
- Georgia Gould (Luna Women's MTB Team) sprays the winner's champagne.
Images by Action Images/actionimages.cc
- Georgia Gould (Luna) leads Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood) through the extensive sand pit.
- Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com) works her way through the sand pit.
- Lyne Bessette (Cyclecrossworld.com) made a valiant effort to catch race leader Georgia Gould.
- Rebecca Wellons (Ridley Factory Team) leads a small group of riders through the beautiful fall colours.
- Kristi Berg (Redline Bicycles) flies by the SRAM pits.
- The pro women enjoy a rare stretch of pavement.
- Georgia Gould (Luna) has plenty of time to celebrate as she crossed the line solo.
- Katerina Nash (Luna) took home a very large check for her aggressive ride.
- Katerina Nash (Luna) finished third on the day and was the days most aggressive rider as well.
- The women's podium (left to right) Lyne Bessette (Cyclecrossworld.com), Georgia Gould (Luna), and Katerina Nash (Luna).
- Georgia Gould (Luna) lead the field from the gun and never looked back.
- Rachel Lloyd (Proman/Paradigm) leads Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com) over the bridge.
- Katerina Nash (Luna) picked her way through the field to land on the podium.
- Lyne Bessette (Cyclecrossworld.com) ascends the small hill onto the finishing stretch pavement.
Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net
- Georgia Gould (Luna Women's MTB Team) warming up
- Mercer Park was a beautiful Autumn venue
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale) giving Lynn Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com) encouragement before the race
- Wendy Williams (River City)
- Wendy Simms (Kona/ YourKey)
- Women's Start
- Simms (Kona) battles Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com)
- Former World MTB Champ Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain) rode the sand pit
- Katerina Nash (Luna) dismounts in sand pit
- Katerina Nash (Luna) running
- Natasha Elliot (Stevens Cycle) running
- Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) running in top 10
- Josie Beggs (Calfornia Giant Strawberry) leading a group through "S" Turns
- Sally Annis (NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental) in "S" turns
- Fly-over
- Wendy Simms (Kona/ YourKey) running steps
- Shelly Olds (California Giant Strawberry) running steps
- Mo Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrications) on the steps
- Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) leading a train of riders
- Kristi Berg (Redline Bicycles) over the barriers
- Dorothy Wong (Team Cicle) flying over barriers
- Leader Georgia Gould (Luna) running over barriers
- Lynne Bessete (Cyclocrossworld.com) in second place
- Georgia Gould crosses the line alone (Luna)
- Women's Podium (left to right) 2nd Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com), 1st Georgia Gould (Luna) , 3rd Katerina Nash (Luna)
Results
Elite Women 1 Georgia Gould (Luna) 38.34 2 Lyne Bessette (cyclocrossworld.com) 0.34 3 Katerina Nash (Luna) 0.42 4 Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood) 5 Rachel Lloyd (Proman/Paradigm) 0.46 6 Sue Butler (River City Bicycles) 1.47 7 Amy Dombroski (Velo Bella - Kona) 1.53 8 Kerry Barnholt (Tokyo Joes / Van Dessel) 2.02 9 Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com) 2.08 10 Barbara Howe (Velo Bella Kona) 2.09 11 Kelli Emmett (Giant Bicycles) 2.14 12 Wendy Williams (River City Bicycles) 2.16 13 Shelley Olds (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) 2.21 14 Maureen Bruno Roy (IF/Wheelworks/SRAM presented by General Catalyst) 2.33 15 Natasha Elliott (Stevens Cross) 2.36 16 Anna Milkowski (Velo Bella-Kona) 2.39 17 Kathy Sherwin (Velo Bella - Kona) 2.41 18 Sarah Kerlin (HRS/ Rock Lobster) 3.42 19 Josie Beggs (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) 3.59 20 Rebecca Wellons (Ridley Factory Team) 4.03 21 Melodie Metzger (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) 4.05 22 Kristi Berg (Redline Bicycles) 4.13 23 Sally Annis (NEBC/CycleLoft/Devonshire Dental) 4.42 24 Melanie Swartz (Velo Bella - Kona) 4.48 25 Anne Schwartz (flying rhino cycling club) 5.19 26 Carolyn Popovic (Team CICLE) 5.35 27 Jennifer Tilley (Velo Bella/Kona) 5.46 28 Kristen Kelsey (Evolution Racing) 6.01 29 Jennifer Maxwell (TEAM KENDA TIRE) 6.16 30 Dorothy Wong (TeamCICLE presented by Clif Bar/Voler) 6.19 31 Melody Chase (Velo Bella - KONA) 6.25 32 Vicki Thomas (Stevens Cross) 6.27 33 Amy Wallace (RGM WATCHES - RICHARD SACHS) 6.34 34 Megan Elliott (Indiana Regional Medical Center) 6.36 35 Stephanie White (Velo Bella/Kona) 6.38 36 Libbey Sheldon (Tokyo Joe's) 37 Kristine Church (Human Zoom/ Pabst Blue Ribbon) 6.46 38 Kathryne Carr (Joe's Garage) 7.07 39 Lisa Vible (C3-Sollay.com) 7.31 40 Arley Kemmerer (Hub Racing) 7.32 41 Jennifer Stebbins (Workers Comp Solutions/Everactive) 8.46 One lap down 42 Beth Mason (C3-Sollay.com) 43 Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication/Kempner) 3/4 Women 1 Nikki Thiemann (Human Zoom Pabst Blue Ribbon) 28.09 2 Jill Waggett (Guy's Racing) 0.29 3 Elizabeth Cash (Colavita New Mexico) 0.40 4 Allison Snooks (Landrys Bicycles) 1.09 5 Stacey Moseley (Yippee/DAS) 1.15 6 Cecelia Pleva (CRCA/Radical Media) 1.17 7 Jessica Kates (Keltic Construction) 1.19 8 Kristy Swope (CSE / CSS / Riptide Cycling) 1.25 9 Jenny Simpson (The Cyclery) 1.27 10 Tara Parsons (crca) 1.48 11 Kim Dubeck (Beans Bikes) 1.53 12 Christina Tamilio (Minuteman Road Club/Landry's Bicycles) 13 Rozanne Puleo (Cambridge Bicycle/Igleheart Frames/LUNA) 2.05 14 Kathrin Schumacher (CRCofA / BM&G - Pete's) 2.16 15 Janel Demeter (Guy's Racing) 2.24 16 Sarah Hart (Hup United) 17 Caroline Gaynor (CRCA/Sanchez-Metro) 3.04 18 Elizabeth White (NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental) 3.16 19 Karen Tourian (Guy's Racing) 3.43 20 Liz Seward (CRCA/Third Nature) 21 Tracy Lee (T.E.A.M ) 3.50 22 Bianca Grecu (Human Zoom/Pabst Blue Ribbon) 4.25 23 Kerry Combs (Hup United/Zanconato Bicycles) 4.30 24 Dirib Peterson (NCVC Indva) 4.35 25 Diane Vettori (C3-Sollay.com) 4.49 26 Anne Rock (Sturdy Girl Cycling) 5.41 27 Kyra Kenwood (Carl Hart / GSBC) 9.38
