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US Cyclo-cross Championships - CN
Kansas City, Kansas, USA, December 13-16, 2007
Main Page Results Overall standings Live report Previous Race
Race 14 - December 16: Elite Men
Johnson back on top at 'cross nats
Page holds for second, Trebon crashes out
By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Kansas City, Kansas
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After days of cold, snow and more cold, the sun shone down on the elite 'cross categories, softening the course enough and bringing out the mud to make it an official 'cross championship. After the first lap sorted the contenders from the pretenders, it was three that eventually made the final selection Jonathan Page (Sunweb-Projob) held a small lead for much of the race over Todd Wells (Gt Bicycles) and Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld). After Wells was slowed by some slip-ups, it was mano-a-mano between Page and Johnson. In the final two laps the two battled hard, trading the lead until Page crashed following Johnson in a turn. This gave the Massachusetts native just enough of a gap to hold off last year's world silver medalist for his second national title.
"With two to go I attacked Jonathan through the start/finish," said Johnson. "When I attacked him I just wanted a little bit of a gap so I could have my shot at the best lines. If you ride behind somebody it is just too sketchy, and I think that is why Jonathan went under the tape. I was leading through that section and you have no idea where you are going to end up with the ruts. I just heard that he went down, but he eventually caught me. If I were him I would have tried to pass, because you just can't trust riding behind someone [in these conditions]."
While the conditions did improve compared to earlier races, the difference between winning and losing was measured more in the ability to avoid crashing. "The way this course was there was just one top speed, and if you could surf that speed without going down, that was a good lap," said Johnson. "I don't think that last lap was anywhere near flawless, but if you can stay upright and not get into trouble, that was considered flawless."
Johnson summed up the conditions this way: "You risked crashing in any one of the 30 corners all over the course!"
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"I just rode my own race, starting strong and If people caught me that was fine," said a clearly disappointed Page. "[Johnson] attacked up top and then I just stayed steady to not make a mistake and bring him back. Unfortunately I crashed and dropped my chain, but fortunately I was near the pit... but still... it was just one little thing and he got a bit of a gap I was closing and closing but just ran out of laps, and he just kept enough in his tank."
While Page was closing Johnson was focused solely on not making a stupid mistake, particularly in the two stair run-ups on the bottom end of the course before the final finish stretches. It was clear he was playing it safe as Page took-out about four second on Johnson in this section alone in the final two laps. "I was just trying to stay safe," said Johnson. "Our feet were completely numb out there and if you catch a toe... you are running but you may not be getting high enough off the ground! I just wanted to make sure I didn't crash on that little bit, because that would be worse than anything!"
After clearing the stair section and making it onto the pavement for the final time, Johnson finally looked back and saw he had the win in the bag. "I only felt it in the last 25 meters."
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Page was counting on the win here to jump-start an otherwise disappointing season, telling Cyclingnews before the race that a win here would be like a clean slate for him. "I don't want to take anything away from him, he won the race, but I was the best rider today. I was just unlucky but that seems to be my season this year."
Page commented that while he feels additional pressure being the top American in the sport, he does appreciate all of the support from the fans including the ones here in Kansas City. "It was a good race and the fans were really great here!" he said. "It's nice to have such support, but it's also hard because I basically have all of American cyclo-cross on my shoulders it's some pressure." Page said that he is returning to Europe tomorrow to focus solely on a good world championship performance.
For Johnson, the win here does not change his outlook for the rest of the 'cross season. "It's one race, one day," he said. "I don't think it changes how I ride or how I approach it. It certainly makes it easier, because this first part of the year is done and now I have something to bring home. Mentally that will make it easier. I'm going to go over [to Europe] and getting my head kicked in I'm not expecting to light the world on fire, but I think that is a better mentality to have heading over there."
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The biggest disappointment of the race was defending champion Ryan Trebon (Kona/YourKey.com), who was involved in a nasty head-on collision with another rider that lost control in a section of the course that doubled back on itself. The rider broke through the course tape and collided with Trebon, knocking him back onto the hard ground. The blow reportedly made Trebon lose consciousness and he was transported to hospital as a precaution.
"He hit me head-on and I landed on the ice on my back, shoulder and arm," Trebon said. "It hurt like hell. I'm not too happy right now." Luckily the only negative result of the incident was Trebon's chance to defend his title.
Trebon's team-mate Barry Wicks was left to fly the Kona/YourKey.com flag, finishing fourth. "The start was pretty scary," he said. "I took it easy because it was such pandemonium guys were crashing all over the place. I was trying to mellow the first lap and not make any mistakes. If you could just minimize your mistakes and ride smooth you would do well. That was just what I was trying to do. I felt pretty good out there, but didn't get to ride like I wanted to. I had a pretty awful start but eventually was able to get things going."
Tim Johnson's younger team-mate Jeremy Powers was having an impressive race in the first two laps, sitting in second place on Page's wheel, until a nasty crash took him out of contention.
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"It was really disappointing," he managed to say between pained breaths. "I hit my chest on my frame really hard when I crashed on the back side I hit it so hard it's hard to talk. I was in second place just behind Jonathan [Page] and he and I were bumping bars and I just hit the deck. Everyone had to deal with the cold, but hitting my chest... after that I wasn't able to take the corners as hard. I'm gonna have to get an x-ray."
Powers will join Johnson over in Europe, and barring any serious injury from his crash, has good form to show his potential. "I hope to be strong in Europe for the rest of the year. I am absolutely elated for Tim, and as soon as I get out of this hypothermic state I am going to give him a huge hug!"
Finishing solo in third place was the older Wells brother, Todd. Wells made the elite selection, and even led for a short time, but got caught up in a few too many spots. "Page had the hole-shot but I was able to bridge up to him at the first turn," he said. "We were really banging a lot in that first lap. It was good for a while and then I had some crashes and bobbles. I don't feel like I slowed down fitness wise, but when I started making mistakes, crashing one or two times, it gets in your head. So you start taking turns a little slower."
Wells had some company on the podium though, as his younger brother Troy (Team Clif Bar) finished a strong fifth. "It's a great result for him," said Todd. "Just a couple of years out of the U23s!"
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
Jonathan Devich/
- The elite men's field rounds the first corner after the start.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob) riding hard right from the gun.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld) worked early on to stay close to Page.
- Racing for the big bucks.
- Things got a little pushy for these riders on the stairs.
- OK that was a little too close.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob) leads Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld).
- Heading up the stairs.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob) holding onto first place.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld) coming on strong.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob) falls back to second place after his fall.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld) takes the win.
- Todd Wells (GT Bicycles) ready for some cleaning up.
- Their is a face under all that.
Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob) leads Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld) and Todd Wells (GT) early in the race.
- Todd Wells (GT)
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld) is closing in on the leader.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld)
- After a fall on the last lap, Jonathan Page (Sunweb Projob), tried hard to catch Johnson but was unable to.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld) is victorious!
- Tim Johnson with the jersey and a smile that wouldn't quit.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona-YourKey) finished the race out in the hospital after being knocked unconscious by a collision with another rider.
Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb ProJob) led for much of the race, but had a mechanical which cost him the win on the closing laps.
- Tim Johnson (Leer/Cannondale /Cyclocrossworld.com) was elated to get his second elite title
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb) at the start line.
- Todd Wells (GT) gets the hole shot as he often does.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb) took the lead early and held it for most of the race.
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld) got a great start and was in early contention.
- Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld) got a poor start and had to claw his way forward.
- Todd Wells (GT) passes Jonathan Page (Sunweb) to briefly take the race lead.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona/Yourkey.com) riding in third place was later hurt after a crash.
- Matt Shriver (Jittery Joes) had a long run to the pits with a flat tyre.
- Bearclaw racers covered with cold cash had some sort of wheel problem.
- Barry Wicks (Kona/YourKey.com) had a poor start but pulled himself to fourth position.
- Troy Wells (Cliff Bar) had a great race and season for a young racer.
- Jesse Anthony (Jamis) was further back in the pack than he is used to.
- Jonathan Page (Sunweb) lost the race when he became entangled with fencing and had to run his broken bike 50 yards to the pits
- Tim Johnson (Canondale / Cyclocrossworld) had a 10 second lead with one lap to go.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Cyclocrosworld) wins another National Championship.
- Barry Wicks (Kona/Yourkey.com) was pleased with his fourth placed finish.
- Kansas City fans dressed as sharks.
- Riders continued racing long after the winnners finished.
Images by Kurt Jambretz /www.actionimages.cc
- The battle to be the first rider into turn one was won by Jonathon Page (SunWeb).
- The men's pro field pile into the turn adjacent the SRAM pits on the first lap.
- Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) sets a ferocious pace in the early going splitting the field at the first seven riders.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona/yourkey.com) looked strong early riding in the top ten in the first two laps.
- Steve Tilford (Verge) got a great start and made the first split.
- Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) gets caught in a rut and nearly goes down.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Leer / Cyclocrossworld.com) rode a very intelligent race, biding his time through the early portion.of the race
- Jessie Anthony (Jamis) did a great job staying in contact with the lead group.
- Barry Wicks (Kona/yourkey.com) rides conservatively through the mud and slop as the ice blanketing the course melts.
- Todd Wells (GT) rode an exceptional race and ended the day in third place.
- Steve Tilford (Verge) continues to amaze... After winning his age group returned today to ride competitively with the.elite men
- Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) has been riding well lately, today was no exception as he hung with the leaders early.
- Andy Jacques-Maynes (Cal Giant Strawberries) navigates the fast melting ice covered course.
- Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) returns from an entire season in Europe to compete he at the National Championships.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona/yourkey.com) looked to be having a great race, until...
- Disaster strikes Ryan Trebon (Kona/yourkey.com) when a rider traveling in an opposing lane takes him out.
- The medical staff helps Ryan Trebon (Kona/yourkey.com) to his feet after being hit by another rider.
- Ryan Trebon (Kona/yourkey.com), assisted by the paramedics, makes his way to the medical tent.
- Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) leads Todd Wells (GT) and Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com).
- Adam Myerson (Nerac Pro Cycling) picks up a fresh bike in the pits.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Leer / Cyclocrossworld.com) challenges Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) for the lead.
- Todd Wells (GT) continues to ride an aggressive race just a short distance off the leaders.
- Jessie Anthony (Jamis) is definitely a rider to watch as he has been steadily moving up the standings this season.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Leer / Cyclocrossworld.com) catches and passes Jonathon Page (SunWeb/Projob) in the closing laps.
- Tim Johnson (Cannondale / Leer / Cyclocrossworld.com) celebrates his victory.
Results
Elite men 1 Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com) 51.58 2 Jonathan Page (Sunweb-Projob) 0.08 3 Todd Wells (GT Bicycles) 0.54 4 Barry Wicks (Kona-Yourkey.com) 2.11 5 Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar) 3.27 6 Andy Jacques-Maynes (California Giant Berry Farms) 3.38 7 Bart Gillespie (Mona Vie/Cannondale) 3.46 8 Tristan Schouten (Trek/VW) 3.51 9 Erik Tonkin (Kona) 3.59 10 Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) 4.19 11 Christopher Jones (Nerac Pro Cycling) 4.35 12 Ali Goulet (Ridley Factory Team/Fishers Cyclery) 4.43 13 Jesse Anthony (Kodak Gallery P/B Sierra Nevada ) 4.54 14 Matt Pacocha (Velonews.com) 4.57 15 Justin Robinson (California Giant Berry Farms) 5.17 16 Adam Myerson (Nerac Pro Cycling) 5.30 17 Sean Babcock (Team S&M) 5.47 18 Jake Wells (Mafiaracing.com/Ellsworth) 6.28 19 Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) 6.31 20 Taylor Carrington (Turin Bicycles - Powerbar) 6.34 21 Kevin Bradford-Parish (Redline) 6.46 22 Jonny Sundt (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast) 6.53 23 Molly Cameron (Vanilla Bicycles) 7.02 24 Tyler Wren (Colavita/Sutter Home P/B Cooking Light) 7.07 25 Michael Easter (Time Factory Team) 7.19 26 Jon Cariveau (Moots) 7.21 27 Frederick Bottger (Team Bearclaw) 7.29 28 Troy Kilgore (Boulder Cycle Sport) 7.34 29 Steve Tilford (KCCX/Verge/Eriksen Cycles) 7.37 30 Matt Shriver (Jittery Joe's) 7.58 31 Greg Wittwer (Fort Factory Team) 8.11 32 Shawn Harshman (Harshman Wealth / Primus Mootry) 8.50 33 Matthew White (Fiordifrutta) 9.53 One lap down 34 Ryan Knapp (Bikereg.com) 35 Kurt Refsnider (Fort Factory Team) 36 Sam Krieg (Sienna Dev't - Goble Knee Clinic) 37 Damian Schmitt (Sunnyside Sports) 38 Matt Kraus (RGM Watches - Richard Sachs) 39 Christopher Case (Boulder Cycle Sport CX) 40 Tim Barrett (Myogenesis.com) 41 Mark Studnicki (Localcycling.com-Trek Store KC) Two laps down 42 Dave Weaver (NA) 43 Chance Noble (California Giant Berry Farms) 44 John-Christian Flack (The Valley Athletic Club) 45 Brent Prenzlow (Alan North America Cycling Team) 46 Nathaniel Ward (Joe's Garage) 47 Nathan Rice (Big Shark) 48 Jeremy Gardner (Velosportivo-Spokepost) 49 Jonathan Card (Saturn Of Toledo) 50 Jed Schneider (Subaru Cycling Team) 51 Marko Lalonde (Bob Brown Cycles/BKB) 52 Shadd Smith (Hrrc/ Trek Stores) 53 Nathan Wyatt (Carolina Fatz/SRAM/Santa Cruz) 54 Robert Foshag (Saturn Of Toledo) 55 Joshua Johnson (Big Shark Racing) 56 Ryan Gamm (Abercrombie & Fitch Pro Development ) 57 Alistair Sponsel (Colavita-Bolla Racing) 58 Benjamin Popper (Twin Six) 59 Josh Whitmore (Carolina Tri - Ryobi Tools) 60 Evan Plews (Capitol Subaru Cycling) 61 Chad Cheeney (Durango Devo) Three laps down 62 Scott Ogilvie (Mesa Cycles) 63 Jeff Winkler (Ridley Factory Team) 64 Brad Cole (KCCX/Verge ) 65 Aaron Oakes (NA) 66 David Hall (Charleston Bicycle Company) 67 Chad Berg (Redline Bicycles) 68 Andy Applegate (Landrover / Cannondale) 69 Mark Nagy (Dogfish Racing Team) 70 Peter Ozolins (Kahala-Lagrange) 71 Daniel Neyens (Hagens-Berman Llp) 72 Joseph Brenner (NA) 73 Leonard Lawrence (Successfulliving.com) 74 Jason Lowetz (Team Bearclaw) 75 Derek Loudermilk (Big Shark Racing) 76 Adam Mills (MRRC/ Trek/ Volkswagon) 77 John Meehan (Priority Health) 78 Jesse Giordano (Nob Hill Velo) 79 Anthony Dust (Dogfish Racing Team) 80 Brooks Leedahl (Team Brown Bear) DNF Ryan Trebon (Kona/Yourkey.com) DNF Bandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport) DNF Joey Thompson (Rocky Mtn Chocolate Factory) DNF Charlie Pendry (Inland Construction - BTD) DNF John Behrens (Bailey/Black Mountain Bicycles) DNF Donald Reeb (CMG Racing/Giant) DNF Jon Hansen (Organic Athlete/ Sunnyside Sports) DNF Kevin Klug (Killjoy Cycling) DNF Alex Whitmore (Cambridge Bicycle/Igleheart Frames) DNF Justin Lindine (Targetraining) DNF Paul Hernandez (Bicycle John's Serious Cycling) DNF John Bailey (Bailey/Black Mountain Bicycles) DNF Miles Venzara (Mrv Enterprises) DNF Stephen Iles (Comotion Sports/Yeti Cycles) DNF Bryan Fawley (Bicycle Sport Shop) DNF Jon Hamblen (RGM Watches- Richard Sachs) DNF Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM/Rex Chiu) DNF Scott Hammack (Karl Strauss/San Diego Bicycle Club) DNF Michael Yozell (Fort Factory Team) DNS Christopher Horner (Indiana Regional Medical Center) DNS Jonathan Baker (Primus Mootry) DNS Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar Cyclo Cross) DNS Adam Bergman (Salsa/Grand Performance) DNS Grant Berry (Rocky Mtn Chocolate Factory) DNS Tyler Johnson (Alan North American Cycling Team) DNS Lucas Livermon (Inland Construction) DNS Mat Ankney (Mercy Cycling) DNS Brian Conant (The Pony Shop) DNS Scott Gibson (KCCX/Verge) DNS Chris Strout (World Bicycle Relief/SRAM) DNS Brook Watts (Cody Racing) DNS William Gault (KCCX/Verge) DNS David White (KCOI/Boulevard) DNS Josh Stevens (Back To Dirt/Inland Construction) DNS Aaron Brown (Rocky Mountain Bikes/Sempre Duro ) DNS Kevin Hulick (Vanilla Bicycles) DNS Bobby Williamson (NA) DNS Michael Pease (KHSNM.com Cycling Team) DNS Ernest Marenchin (Asylum Cycles) DNS Michael Koons (Velo Project / Schwab) DNS Shawn Adams (October Lake Effect) DNS Mark Wiggans (Colonel's) DNS Jamie Ryan-White (KHSNM.com Cycling Team) DNS Chris Newell (HVB/Marathon Roofing) DNS Marty Netzel (Erik's Bike Shop) DNS Dan Wilson (Monstr Health Cycling) DNS Jesse Mayberry (Scott/Ritchey) DNS Kristopher Auer (C3-Sollay.com) DNS Bruce Weyman (Kahala/La Grange) DNS Richard McClung (Hagens-Berman LLP Cycling) DNS Zac Daab (Hup United) DNS Michael Hosang (Tripower) DNS Mark Kutney (Van Dessel Factory Team) DNS Bob Downs (Planetbike) DNS Tim Granshaw (Morgan Stanley) DNS Nick Hanni (Scott/ Ritchey) DNS Todd Cassan (Westwood Velo) DNS Chris Tirone (Ridley Factory Team) DNS David Howe (Camp Highlands) DNS George Smith (Webcor/Alto Velo) DNS Jamie Pair (Alan North American Cycling Team) DNS Steven Hunter (Veloshop) DNS Christopher Bagg (Bikereg.com) Back to top
