Gallery: A treacherously wet and cold MoSport Classic
Opening round of the O-Cup dishes out relentless rain and frigid temperatures
The first round of the Ontario Cup got underway north of Bowmanville on the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park track on Good Friday. The road season opener was plagued with unrelenting rain and frigid temperatures. Both elite races saw solo riders taking the wins.
The women’s chase group was quickly down to four, but still smiling.
Jennifer Jackson went solo for the last few laps.
Joyce Spruyt was part of a break with Jackson but then was chasing the leader.
Jackson rides through the wet and cold.
The chase group was a ways back of the two attackers.
One lap to go for Jackson
Jackson, a national level mountain biker and podium finisher at the cyclocross championships, took a well deserved win.
Spruyt takes second.
The group had to settle with a sprint for fourth, taken by Nicole Lentini.
The elites capped off the day in which there were races across categories. Each was a race of attrition with numerous riders dropping out because of the horrible conditions. In the elite men’s race, over 50 riders started the race on the rolling race track but only 16 would cross the line.
In the elite women’s race, it was Jenn Jackson (AWI Racing) who got away early and rode in solo for the win with a comfortable two minute lead over Joyce Spruyt (TO Wheels Racing) with Allison Sauder (Faction-Smile Tiger) in third.
Early on in the men’s race Sean Mackinnon rode aggressively off the front.
Derek Gee was strong throughout the day – always near the front.
Riders start the big climb.
Before the climb there’s a fast descent and some tricky corners.
Ed Veal leads the chase. A group of four out front.
Gee was notably the strongest rider throughout the day – every time he went to the front the rest of the group suffered to stay with him.
Just before Veal’s group caught the lead bunch, Gee made his move and rode clear, taking an impressive win.
Gee is all smiles after a tough ride.
William Elliott takes second.
Arvin Moazami Godarzi finishes third.
William Goodfellow takes fourth.
Ed Veal wins the bunch sprint for fifth.
Derek Gee after a hard race.
The elite men’s race was won by Derek Gee with William Elliot in second. Arvin Moazami Godarzi (NCCH Elite) was third.
The next round of the O-Cup takes place at Calabogie Road Classic on April 28. For full results from MoSport visit racetiming.ca.
