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Granogue Cross - C1
Wilmington, Delaware, USA, October 18, 2008
Race 1 - October 18: UCI Elite Men
Trebon continues success in Granogue
By Kirsten Robbins in Wilmington, Delaware
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Ryan Trebon (Kona) added a fourth season victory to his 2008-09 resume at the Granogue Cross event held in Delaware. Out of the final bend, Trebon broke free of his well-matched competitor Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) in second place. Not far behind, US national champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) dueled with mountain bike talent Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) in a sprint for the final podium spot.
"I'm basically trading one Cyclocrossworld rider for another," said Trebon who repeated that he finds himself up against Powers or Johnson for the victory. "Powers is riding really fast and he worked with me until we saw Tim was behind us in the chase group."
"We started racing fast in the end and he put me into a bit of trouble on some parts of the course," he continued. "I took the last lap as hard as I could and gained a couple seconds. Good thing I didn't have to sprint in the end because for some reason I couldn't get into my 12 tooth cog - I would've gotten roasted in sprint on that kind of flat pavement."
The showdown between Trebon and Powers did not let up and neither did the gap between them and the trio chasing from behind. Powers attempted to ride away from Trebon on the twisty section while Trebon used his powerful pedal strokes to put pressure on the flatter sections - Neither were successful in ridding the other until a bobble in the last corner from Powers allowed Trebon the slim distance he needed to win.
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"Ryan and I had a great race together and I don't have any qualms with him winning," said runner Powers. "He was the instigator on the run up climb on the last lap. When we got to the last corner, a tight corner before the pavement, I miss placed one of my feet and he got a couple seconds on me. Racing together is good for us. We're both going to Europe to race the last half of the season and he's a good friend also."
Some fifty 'cross-men lined up to start he 60 minute rugged race on the private property of the DuPont Family Estate. The Estate grounds encompass 400 acres of rolling green and wooded single track, classic terrain to North West Delaware. The course was, 2.7 km in length featuring off camber hills, gravel sections, high-speed plunges, technical cornering and a steep run up.
Most of the front row had a disadvantageous start with a strong headwind to ride against before the first corner. Despite the initial obstacle, Powers proved to have the fastest start, popping out of the woodwork first with Bishop in tow. The pair led by several seconds ahead of a charging chase group full of familiar faces; Johnson, Trebon, Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized), Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's), Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar) and Dan Timmerman (Team Race Pro).
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"My plan was to get out there early and let the others come up to me," said Powers, a consistent victor on the American UCI circuit. "It was a good way to try to isolate Ryan a little bit and maybe use some team work with Tim and Jamey. Unfortunately Tim got a flat and that didn't play into my favour at all - I think things could've ended up differently if he was up front too."
The initial leaders continued their efforts and where later joined by Trebon and Johnson, at the end of the second lap. Notable rider, Timmerman also worked his way up to the four leaders for a short time but a flat tire bumped him out of contention and unable to catch back up. Timmerman was not the only rider to suffer cross' technical woes. Many riders entered in and out of the pits for mechanical work, including Johnson, with double bike changes on the third and fourth lap. Unlike the others, the American champ was able to effectively work his way back up to the chase group containing Bishop and team-mate Jamey Driscoll.
"I had a front flat and had to ride it for a while, kind of keeping a leg out so that I didn't fall over," said Johnson. "We had our fingers crossed that Jeremy was fine up there with Trebon. Jamey [Driscoll] gave me one long pull up the road section in the headwind, trying to get me back up to Jeremy and Ryan."
As the battle for the win played out, Johnson and Driscoll worked together to shake Bishop from attaining the last podium place. The three riders took turns putting distance between into one another but none were able to sneak away. Eventually, Driscoll fell off pace while Johnson and Bishop entered onto the finishing pavement in a sprint that ended with Johnson in a slim lead. "Bishop was really strong and it's nice to have another player in the lead group," said Johnson regarding the constant front-runners from teams Cyclocrossworld.com and Kona. "Having an independent rider up there keeps things honest."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) leads the elite men's field under the start-finish banner on the opening lap.
- Heavy traffic during the first lap had Justin Lindine (Target Training) struggling to maintain position.
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) stresses his rear tire to it's limits as he bunny-hops the barriers.
- Greg Wittwer (Alan) prepares to remount after the barrier section.
- The run-up was more like a ride-up for Davide Franttini (Colavita/Sutter Home).
- Barry Wicks (Kona) sails up the run-up.
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) tries to close the gap on the leaders but Tim Johnson (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) and Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) weren't as enthusiastic.
- The dry and dusty conditions were kind to Matt Shriver's (Jittery Joes) bright white kit.
- With a safe lead, Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) count down the laps until they contest the sprint.
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) bunny-hops the barriers again but almost goes over the bars after his chainring hits the boards.
- The long legs of Ryan Trebon (Kona) provides a real advantage over barriers.
- Winner of the Nittany Cross a few weeks earlier, Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) never got close enough to the front today.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) was quiet today. Is he saving it for the Wissahickon Cross on Sunday?
- The many dry, off-camber sections required plenty of concentration and good braking skills.
- Hungarian Zoltan Tisza (P-Nivo) takes in some of the warm sunshine that blanketed the Delaware countryside.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) takes one last glance to see where Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) is before completing the other half of his victory salute.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) just gets Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) at the line in a sprint as exciting as that of the women's race.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) tops the podium with Tim Johnson (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) and Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com), l & r.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) wonders what the airlines will think about his new carry-on.
Images by Anthony Skorochod/www.cyclingcaptured.com
- The start of the race climbing the 1/2 mile ascent on the Granogue Estate driveway.
- Bobby Lea (Fuji) descends the Watchtower hill. He later went out of contention after crashing and breaking a wheel.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) sprinting up the Estate driveway.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) circling the Watchtower.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) attempting to overtake Jeremy Powers.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) with Trebon and Johnson not far behind.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) being chased up the steep ascent on the Watchtower hill closely followed by Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW), Ryan Trebon (Kona), and Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com).
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) shifting in to a lower gear.
- Davide Frattini (Colavita/Sutter Home)
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) enjoying a slim lead as he passes the Dupont's Watchtower.
- Jamey Driscoll and Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) , Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar), and Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC pb Cal Giant) attempting a sprint to catch Trebon.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com)
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com)
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com).
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) about to enter the run-up.
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) about to enter the run-up.
- Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC pb Cal Giant)
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) has no problems running over barriers.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) tackling the barriers.
- Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale)
- Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) and Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com).
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com)
- Ryan Trebon (Kona) taking the win at Granogue.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) with his head down taking second place.
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) battle it out for third place.
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) securing third place by several inches.
Results
1 Ryan Trebon (Kona) 1.04.05 2 Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) 0.11 3 Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) 0.25 4 Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) 5 Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale) 1.09 6 Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC pb Cal Giant) 1.51 7 Barry Wicks (KONA) 2.02 8 Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team) 2.08 9 Jonathan Baker (Vitamin Cottage p/b XP Companies) 2.39 10 Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar) 2.51 11 Dan Timmerman (Team Race Pro) 2.54 12 Adam McGrath (Van Dessel) 3.08 13 Davide Frattini (Colavita/sutter home presented by Cooking light) 3.31 14 Justin Spinelli (RGM WATCHES-RICHARD SACHS-BOATHOUSE INC) 3.38 15 Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta / Cannondale) 3.43 16 Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) 4.48 17 Justin Lindine (TARGETRAINING) 5.13 18 Ryan Dewald (Battley Harley Davidson) 5.18 19 Andrew Wulfkuhle (C3-Sollay.com) 5.22 20 Kyle Hammaker (scott bicycles) 6.17 21 Matt Kraus (RGM WATCHES - RICHARD SACHS - BOATHOUSE INC) 6.30 22 Justin Hines (handlebar CC) 6.36 23 Bill Elliston (Fuji) 6.44 24 Michael Hebe (USA) 7.10 25 Zoltan Tisza (P-NIVO Beton Expressz 2000) 7.16 26 John Burns (Bikeman.com) 7.48 27 Greg Wittwer (ALAN North America Cycling Team) 8.13 1 lap down 28 Kevin Wolfson (Fitness Together/IF p/b Lionette's) 29 Michael Yozell (VisitPA.com) 30 Guillaume Nelessen (Van Dessel Factory Team) 31 Guy Vankrimpen (Rapid City Cycle) 32 Peter Rubijono (Embrocation/Cambridge/Igleheart/madAlchemy) 33 William Dugan (RICHARD SACHS-RGM-Boathouse) 34 Patrick Bradley (Rutgers University Cycling Team) 35 Nicholas Shaffer (Human Zoom/ Pabst Blue Ribbon) 36 Todd Hesel (Hunt Valley Bicycles/Marathon Roofing) 37 Christopher Consorto (Henry's) 38 Bobby Lea (Fuji) 39 Ethan Townsend (C3-Sollay.com) 40 Andrew Mckeegan (Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Amateur Cycling) 41 John Brewer (Haymarket Bicycles p/b Function Drinks) DNF Jon Hamblen (RGM WATCHES - RICHARD SACHS - BOATHOUSE INC) DNF Nicholas Keough (Jittery Joe's/ Sonic Cyclocross) DNF Tyler Johnson (TARGETRAINING) DNF Chad Totaro (Human Zoom / Pabst Blue Ribbon) DNF Sean Galegher (Hunt Valley Bicycles/HVB) DNF Russ Langley (Battley HARLEY-DAVIDSON/Sonoma Wine Bar) DNF Adam Szczepanski (Wissahickon) DNF Erik Mitchell (Human Zoom/PBR)
