Max Plaxton wins Mellow Johnny’s Classic

Canada’s Max Plaxton (Cannondale Factory Racing) won the Mellow Johnny’s Classic, the first stop of the U.S. Pro XCT series, on Saturday in Dripping Springs, Texas.

He won a sprint to the line against his fellow countryman Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing), who placed second, Todd Wells (Specialized) in third, Jeremiah Bishop (Sho-Air/Cannondale) in fourth and Canada’s mountain bike champion Derek Zandstra (Scott-3Rox Racing) in fifth on the day.

Luna Pro Team swept the women’s podium as Katerina Nash won the event from a sprint finish against her teammate from Canada Catharine Pendrel, and Georgia Gould rode in for third place. Canada’s mountain bike champion Emily Batty (Trek World Racing) placed fourth on the day.

In the 2012 edition of the race, Plaxton and Kabush placed first and second in the men’s event, and Pendrel won the women’s event.