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Cycle-Smart International 1 - C2

Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, November 1, 2008

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Race 3 - November 1: Elite Men

Driscoll’s flawless victory

By Kirsten Robbins in Northampton, Massachusetts

Jamie Driscoll takes the win
Photo ©: Paul Weiss
(Click for larger image)

Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com) captured his fourth victory of the 2008-09 season after a watertight performance in the Cycle Smart Invitational. The neo-elite rider captivated the New England ‘cross fans when he dominated more than two thirds of the event soloing into the finish ahead of Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized) and Matt White (BikeReg.com).

"This year I’m having a great year," said Driscoll, the New England Cyclo-cross Series leader. "It’s kind of a shock to me and I don’t know if it’s fully sunk in yet. I hope I can keep going and continue to help out my team-mates when they’re around. I’m very proud to be wearing the NECCS leader’s jersey and I’ve always looked up to the guys in the past who have worn it."

Driscoll opened up a substantial lead, floating around the technical course ahead of a three-man chase group. However, the trio of Jacques-Maynes, White and Dan Timmerman (Reynolds/Swan Cycles) slowly disjointed through the final laps to reveal the podium placers.

"I’ve been really consistent and it seems like whether I’ve had a good day, or a bad day I get the same placing," said Jacques-Maynes, who welcomed a second place after taking a series of sixth places in the previous UCI events he entered. "Finally I have a good day with a good result and I was looking forward to this race."

The first snowfall of the season melted just in time to start of the 18th annual Cycle Smart Invitational, the oldest existing UCI cyclo-cross race on American soil. The event co-ordinator, Adam Myerson began organising his event as a freshman in college and hopes to see a continued growth. "There were several other UCI events back then but they aren’t around anymore," he explained. "At one point, as they faded, our race became the only location in the US where UCI points were available."

The three-kilometre circuit started on the upper deck, a highly technical section laden with roots, dirt tracks and barriers. After a long and paved start/finish section the course wound downhill through grass and trails, to the lower deck. The lower deck presented the riders with a grassy field, a sand pit and a second set of barriers. Two steep dirt run-ups and one off-camber descent provided the passageway between the two sections.

"This race was held in a really small area and the course planner used all the space putting in U-turn after U-turn," Jacques-Maynes continued. "The root section on the upper part of the course was definitely tricky and a little more technical."

White took the early lead and waited for the others to catch up on the lower half. "I just love this race so I go for it from the gun and I remember the year I won people didn’t expect me to be able to hold a lead to the finish," said White regarding is solo victory in 2006. "I wanted to try that again and see what would happen."

Jamie Driscol (Cyclocrossworld-Cannondale)
Photo ©: Paul Weiss
(Click for larger image)

As the first lap progressed, Driscoll and Jacques-Maynes reconnected with White and the trio struggled to out-maneuver one another for the lead position. Timmerman shot ahead of his chase group of seven riders to claw his way back into contention. "When I saw Driscoll had caught up to me I just went into survival mode and tried to hang on to him," White continued. "He’s kind of unstoppable right now."

Driscoll made his move on the fourth lap, through the technical twist and turns en route to the steep run up. His jump shook Jacques-Maynes and Timmerman off his wheel but White did not give up so easily, however.

"This is such a fast race that time gaps are a lot smaller than in other races so you always have to keep on the gas," said Driscoll. "There were so many corners that you’ve got to be on it all the time. You can’t just go into time trial mode." Driscoll made his second move on the steep run up and this time he successfully shed White from his shadows. He continued to gain two or three seconds a lap on White.

As he rode into a seemingly effortless victory, the race for second place continued to heat up from behind. The crowds eagerly awaited a sprint for second because Jacques-Maynes and White appeared to have evenly matched ability. However, Jacques-Maynes exited the final sand pit with a slim advantage and held it to the finish.

"I had been bobbling in the sand pit and I think White was expecting me to make a mistake again," said Jacques-Maynes. "I finally turned on my brain and I got through the sand with no problems and came out of it with a lot of momentum. I hit gas while White was still in the sand and I got a gap."

The Cycle Smart Invitational will continue with round two on Sunday, November 2. The course will be rebuilt with some slight variations to give the riders a fresh start.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Paul Weiss/www.paulweiss.biz

Results

1 Jamey Driscoll (Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale)                 59.36
2 Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC pb Cal Giant)               0.10
3 Matt White (BikeReg.com / Joe's Garage)                          0.28
4 Dan Timmerman (Reynolds/Swan Cycles)                             0.57
5 Derrick St John (Steven's Cross)                                 1.05
6 Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta / Cannondale)                          1.07
7 Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel)                            1.52
8 Justin Lindine (TARGETRAINING)                                       
9 Davide Frattini (Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light)         2.14
10 Justin Spinelli (RGM WATCHES-RICHARD SACHS-BOATHOUSE INC)       2.15
11 William Dugan (RGM WATCHES - RICHARD SACHS - BOATHOUSE INC)     2.48
12 Alec Donahue (BikeReg.com / Joe's Garage)                       3.07
13 Tyler Johnson (TARGETRAINING)                                   3.17
14 Matthew O'Keefe (CCB/Volkswagen)                                3.47
15 Toby Marzot (Fiordifrutta)                                      4.01
16 Nicholas Keough (Sonic/ Louis Garneau)                          4.04
17 Rickey Visinski (Exodus Road Racing)                            4.06
18 Simon Lambert Lemay (Hottubes cycling)                          4.07
19 Matt Kraus (RGM WATCHES - RICHARD SACHS - BOATHOUSE INC)        4.14
20 Bill Elliston (Fuji)                                            4.26
21 Pete Smith (Embrocation/Cambridge p/b Mad Alchemy.com)              
22 Jonathan Awerbuch (NorEast)                                     4.27
23 John Burns (Bikeman.com)                                        4.49
24 Christopher Jones (Sonic/Louis Garneau)                         5.12
25 Mukunda Feldman (Spooky Bikes)                                  5.15
26 Peter Bradshaw (EMBROCATION/IGLEHEART/CAMBRIDGE/MAD ALCHEMY)    5.22
27 Peter Rubijono (Embrocation/Cambridge/Igleheart/madAlchemy)     5.54
28 Patrick Bradley (Rutgers University Cycling Team)               6.54
29 Brendan Cornett (Mechanical Services/Cyclemania)                7.16
 
One lap behind
 
30 Todd Wheelden (Portland Velo Club/KONA/661)                         
31 Kevin Wolfson (Independent Fabrication)                             
32 Adam Sullivan (NBX/Narragansett Beer Cyclocross Team)               
 
Two laps behind
 
33 John Peterson (www.bikebarnracing.com)                              
34 Christopher Hamlin (University Of Vermont)                          
35 Michael Norton (Calyon Pro Cycling Team)                            
 
Three laps behind
 
36 J Gabriel Lloyd (TARGETRAINING)                                     
37 Adam St. Germain (TARGETRAINING)                                    
38 Jonathan Bruno (FT / IF powered by Lionette's)                      
39 Ryan Kelly (NorEast Cycling)                                        
40 Michael Patrick (Bikebarn.com/29ercrew.com)                         
 
Four laps behind
 
41 Michael Rea (NorEast)