2015 Cyclocross World Cup #1 – CrossVegas
The opening act for the 2015 Cross vegas featured several amateur and industry races with large fields that included legends of the sport, like Gary Fisher, and several riders who do well on the domestic UCI and local scenes.
Last night Vegas was host to the World Cyclocross scene. The opening act for the 2015 Cross vegas featured several amateur and industry races with large fields that included legends of the sport, like Gary Fisher, and several riders who do well on the domestic UCI and local scenes. While the course is traditionally thought of as a ‘grass crit’ the sections of energy-sapping turf were interrupted by a long sandpit, 3 sets of stairs, a flyover bridge and several grades to separate those with the requisite power and skills. The turf, while very taxing energetically, did have a positive according to Aaron Schooler, “It’s super dry. All the corners were tacky. You could rail them. You just need to have the power”.
Before the World Cup races kicked off under the lights, spectators and amateur racers grabbed refreshment and sustenance at many vendors including several sponsor samples, a burrito stand and, of course Belgian Waffles. While was the men’s race was swept by Belgians, the Women’s race was definitely animated by the Luna Chix Team with race winner Katerina Nash (C soloed for the win by attacking the lead group with 3 to go. Eva Lechner (ITA) followed in 2nd then Sanne Cant (Bel) was third and Luna’s Georgia Gould (USA) in fourth. Canadians Catherine Pendrel was 5th and Maghalie Rochette was 9th. Both achieved their pre-race goals of placing by placing in the top 10. See the Race Highlight Video.
Men’s race was won by under-23 World Champ Wout Van Aert followed by Sven Nys and Michael Vanthourenhou. In true crit-style the men’s race stayed in a tight line for the first several laps. North American favorites Powers, Trebon, Kabush, Martin and McNeely all did well moving up over the course of the race. Fan-Favorite Jeremy Powers fought from 25th on the start loop, all the way up to 6th place after battling the majority of the race in the chase group that sprinted for 4th at the line. Canadians Jeremy Martin and Derek Zandstra led the Canadians in 35th and 36th respectively having well-paced races moving up from the back of the pack. See the Highlights Video.
Evan McNeely (Norco) was the leading Canadian early in the race, “There was a really big front group. I felt comfortable”. McNeely’s race was derailed in the last half of the race, “There are steps all over the course. To clear the steps you had to sprint into them and carry your momentum. So I sprinted into one set of steps and then there was a big pileup in front of me. My front wheel hit one of the steps. I got hurt.” McNeely was able to finish after running ~500m to the pit.
Check out the Key Links for 2015 CrossVegas World Cup:
-> Race Preview for CrossVegas 2015,
-> The Full Video Replay of the Men’s Race and Women’s Race
-> Our CrossVegas Photo Gallery
