NBX Grand Prix of Cross #1 - C2

Warwick, Rhode Island, USA, December 6, 2008

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Race 2 - December 6: Elite men

Driscoll makes it look easy

By Dave McElwaine in Warwick, Rhode Island

Jamie Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale)
Photo ©: Dave McElwaine

Despite another poor start, Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) made amends early in the race and won by a huge margin. Behind him the race for the remaining podium places was hotly contested, but 19-year old Nick Keough (Jittery Joe's) outmaneouvred more experienced riders to take second place.

Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) who has appeared to be on form the past few weeks finished third. A surprisingly aggressive race by Derick St. John earned him fourth place, while a solid race by Matt White (Bikereg.com/Joe's garage) gave him fifth.

The fast course at Goddard State Park favored racers comfortable racing in pacelines. The long pavement sections of the course allowed the road pros to close down any gaps that had opened in the woods. While there is a considerable section of beach sand, very few position changes took place there.

Derrick St. John made the best of his front row start by taking the hole shot. Driscoll found himself several positions behind just seconds into the race. "I should really work on that (the start) for Nationals. I can get away with it in New England but at Nationals I am going to pay a lot more dearly for sure."

How it Unfolded

Within half a lap Driscoll had opened a gap and was chased by Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM), Keough, St. John, Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta), and Myerson. By lap three Driscoll's lead had increased to 12 seconds, while the six chasers were led by Spinelli.

Dillon attacked the other chasers and opened a gap briefly on the fifth circuit, and with 28 minutes left to race, Driscoll's lead had increased to 30 seconds. With 20 minutes to go, three chasers - St. John, Spinelli, and Keough - seemed to make their way off the front of the group but they were joined by the other three, and parity was restored until Dillon was dropped from the group with 10 minutes to race.

As the minutes ticked by it appeared more likely that proceedings for second place would be decided by a sprint. With half a lap to go, Keough attacked hard, with only Adam Myerson having the legs to respond. Keough took the lead into the final S-turns and onto the pavement. Even the more experienced Myerson did not have enough pavement to prevent Keough from grabbing second place.

"My race went well. Six guys, and everyone kept the pace going," said Keough after the race. "Eventually a couple had trouble and it was down to four. I just punched it on the last lap and led into the finish."

Keough has been suffering from a neck injury that had caused him a great deal of pain in last week's race in Sterling, MA. Today he explained he felt much better and did not suffer any of the same problems. Very few 19-year-old racers, if any, have looked as strong as Keough over the past several years.

Jamey Driscoll's win today makes it six series wins for the season. He easily has enough points now to clinch the NBX/Verge New England Championship. When asked how he might race tomorrow he said "I am going to wait and see how I feel... maybe I will work for someone else."

The series finale takes place on Sunday at Goddard State Park. The weather forecast is calling for an inch or two of snow which could make things quite interesting.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net

F.C.F: Fanatic Cyclocross Fans
The men's start was led by Derrick St. John (Stevens)
Derrick St. John (Stevens) gets the hole shot
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel) running the barriers in second place
Jamie Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) on the beach run-up leading the race
Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM) running up from the beach
Steve Tilford (Trek) leading a group of racers on the run-up
Adam Snyder (3-D Racing) was the only racer to ride both the beach and the run-up
Racers running in deep sand on the beach
Nick Keough (Jittery Joe's) leads the chase group over a small rise
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel) leading Justin Spinelli
Matt White (Bikereg.com/Joe's Garage) riding in fifth place
Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM) flying over the barriers
Jamie Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) attacking the barriers
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel) running the barriers in second place
Todd Wheelden (Portland Velo)
Justin Spinelli (Richard Sach/RGM) leads the chase group on the pavement
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) and Justin Spinelli approach the barriers
Derrick St. John (Stevens) rode a very agressive race
Steve Tilford (Trek) knows his way around a cyclocross course
Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) wins the race and clinches the New England Championship
Nick Keough (Jittery Joes) wins the sprint for second place over Adam Myerson
Nick Keough (Jittery Joes) recovering from the sprint
The men's podium (l-r): Nick Keough (Jittery Joes) second, Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) first, Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) third

Results

1 Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.Com/Cannondale)               1.00.46
2 Nicholas Keough (Sonic/ Louis Garneau)                           0.22
3 Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel)                                
4 Derrick St John (Stevens Cross)                                      
5 Matt White (Bikereg.Com / Joe's Garage)                              
6 Justin Spinelli (Rgm Watches-Richard Sachs-Boathouse Inc)        0.40
7 Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta / Cannondale)                          1.40
8 Steve Tilford (Trek Stores)                                      2.19
9 Alec Donahue (Bikereg.Com / Joe's Garage)                            
10 Justin Lindine (Targetraining)                                  2.38
11 Rickey Visinski (Exodus Road Racing)                            2.47
12 Nathaniel Ward (Bikereg.Com / Joe's Garage)                         
13 Matt Kraus (RGM Watches - Richard Sachs - Boathouse Inc)        2.52
14 Peter Rubijono (Embrocation/Igleheart/Cambridge/Mad Alchemy)    3.51
15 Peter Bradshaw (Embrocation/Igleheart/Cambridge/Mad Alchemy)        
16 Pete Smith (Embrocation/Cambridge P/B Mad Alchemy.Com)          4.22
17 J Gabriel Lloyd (Targetraining)                                 4.32
18 John Burns (Bikeman.Com)                                        4.46
19 Mukunda Feldman (Spooky)                                        4.59
20 Todd Wheelden (Portland Velo Club/Kona/661)                     5.12
21 Patrick Bradley (Rutgers University Cycling Team)               6.37
22 Dan Langlois (Embrocation/ Circle A Cycles)                     6.54
 
One lap behind
23 Jonathan Bruno (FT / IF Powered By Lionette's)                      
 
Three laps behind
24 Michael Rea (Nor East)