Van Gilder and Wells Take Wins at Nittany Lion Cross Day 1

On a very non-cross like day in Trexlertown, PA, Laura Van Gilder (Van Dessel) and Todd Wells (Specialized) took wins in their respective races to open up the UCI Cyclocross Calendar. The warm day and dry weather kept the course dry and fast. When it rains at the Valley Preferred Velodrome, the back side of the course turns into a mud bog, but besides a few ruts in a very small section from the earlier races, it was a smooth, fast course that came down to a sprint in both races.

After the category and age group races finished for the day, it was the women’s turn to open the season. Newly wed Gabby (Day) Durrin (Rapha-Focus), stepped up to the line with other pre-race favorites, Arley Kemmerer (C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co), Van Gilder, Nicole Thiemann (Team CF), and Stacey Barbossa (Colvita). These five ladies pulled away from the field right from the start and never looked back. Durrin, Kemmerer, and Van Gilder opened up a gap between Theimann and Barbossa on the first lap and traded turns on the front as they navigated the course. The two chasers never let the leaders get too far off the front though, and on the final lap, brought it back together. The five leaders sped through the course until Durrin and Van Gilder pulled a slight lead on the back half of the course. Coming to the line, Van Gilder led out the sprint, and Durrin couldn’t answer. Strung out behind, Kemmerer had opened up her own gap from her fellow chasers to round out the podium. Theimann had also pulled away from Barbossa to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

In the men’s race, an early group of Craig Richey (VOmax-SponsorCONNECTED.COM), Mike Garrigan (Van Dessel), Christian Favata (TRT BICYCLES p/b STANS NO TUBES), Robert Marion (American Classic Pro CX Team), Adam Myerson (Team SmartStop-Mountain Khakis), Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund / NCC), Isaac Yozell (TEAM BIG GUY GROUP), and Ryan Knapp (Pony Shop Cyclocross) opened up a small gap over Ryan DeWald (Skyline Bicycles), Lukas WINTERBERG (Muller Landscape / BH Bikes), Matt Timmerman (Cannondale), Jacob Lasley (Team Soundpony), Jared Nieters (SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel), Wells, Stephen Cummings (C3-20Twenty Cycling Co), Anthony Clark (Jam Fund/NCC), Lewis Gaffney (American Classic Pro CX Team), Edwin Bull (Van Dessel Factory Team). Early crashes caused the split, but within three laps, the groups were back together and started to shed the weaker riders. Wells worked his way through the field as Garrigan lead the way through the wooded section with many exposed roots. Wells was held up though, and Knapp and Myerson made a run off the front. With Clark, Wells, new edition to the break Weston Schempf  (SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel) and 7 others chasing, the gap was doomed, and soon, everyone was again back together for the final laps. The group was whittled down to the final seven riders on the final laps. Coming into the finish, Wells led out the sprint, with Schemf attempting to come around. Wells was just too strong, so Schempf and Knapp had to settle for second and third respectively.

Day 2 of Nittany Lion Cross sees the riders attack the course, but in the opposite direction, and with an added twist. After they hit a short, but steep up hill, they make a 90 degree left and are faced with a downed log. Last year, some riders were able to hop the log while others, well, they weren’t so lucky. Day 2’s report to follow the races.

Women’s Results

1. Laura Van Gilder – Van Dessel
2. Gabby Durrin – Rapha-Focus
3. Arley Kemmerer – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
4. Nicole Theimann – Team CF
5. Stacey Barbossa – Colvita
6. Julie Hunter – Bike Beat/VA Asset Group
7. Cassandra Maximenko – Rare Vos Cycling
8. Ally Stacher – Specialized Lululemon
9. Carolyn Popovic – Tema CF
10. Jessica Kutz – Tea EPS/CSS
11. Katrina Dowdchuk – Colvita
12. Rebecca Blatt – Van Dessel
13. Christina Birch – JAM Fund/NCC
14. Frances Morrison – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
15. Kathleen Wulfkuhl – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
16. Katherine Sheilds – Mock Orange Pro CX Team
17. Jennifer Tillman – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
18. Joanne Grogan – Cyclcrossracing.com
19. Katina Walker – Crankskins.com
20. Bailey Semian – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
21. Vickie Monahan – Rare Vos Racing
22. Erica Yozell – Bicycle Therapy
23. Victoria Gates – JAM Fund/NCC
24. Molly Hurford – Colvita
25. Linda Molendyke – Bicycle Therapy
26. Allyson Tudano – Sportif Coaching Group
27. Dana McAllister – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
28. Erin Mascelli – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
29. Kristine Church – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
30. Kimberly Thomas – New Holland Brewing
31. Lisa Most – Wissahickon/Engin Cycles
32. Lauren Festa – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
33. Amy Breyla – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
34. Heather Heinrich – Wooden Wheels Racing
35. Kaitlyn Lawrence – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
36. Caitlin Thompson – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
37. Ginny Jeppe – Sublime Athletics Velo

Men’s Results

1. Todd WELLS – Specialized
2. Weston SCHEMPF – SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel
3. Ryan KNAPP – Pony Shop Cyclocross
4. Lukas WINTERBERG – M?ler Landscape / BH Bikes
5. Stephen HYDE – JAM Fund / NCC
6. Anthony CLARK – JAM Fund / NCC
7. Adam MYERSON – Team SmartStop-Mountain Khakis
8. Jacob LASLEY – Team Soundpony
9. Edwin BULL – Van Dessel Factory Team
10. Justin LINDINE – Redline / NBX
11. Robert MARION – American Classic Pro CX Team
12. Brendan RHIM – KMS/Start House Cycling Team
13. Cameron DODGE – TEAM SKYLINE / SCOTT BIKES
14. Lewis GAFFNEY – American Classic Pro CX Team
15. Greg WITTWER – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co.
16. Isaac YOZELL – TEAM BIG GUY GROUP
17. Andrew MESSER – Cyclocrossworld.com
18. Paul MESI – Fast Frankie Coaching/CLR
19. Josh DILLON – BikeReg.com / Joe’s Garage
20. Jake SITLER – SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel
21. Nick WAITE – Pro Tested Gear
22. Stephen CUMMINGS –  C3-20Twenty Cycling Co
23. Charles SCHUBERT – GPM Sport
24. Jordan SNYDER – PRO BIKES
25. Mike GARRIGAN – Van Dessel
26. Steven ORDONS – Philadelphia ciclismo
27. Wyatt STOUP – Mt Borah / Minerva Design p/b B
28. Adam ST. GERMAIN – ENGVT / Specialized
29. Gerald ADASAVAGE – Bicycle Therapy / Melitta
30. Michael MIHALIK – Freddie Fu Cycling Team
31. Eric OISHI – MTBNJ.com – Halter’s
32. Zoltan TISZA – Champion System p/b Stan’s NoTubes
33. Skyler MACKEY – Team Soundpony
34. Mike FESTA – Philadelphia Ciclismo
35. Cody LACOSTA – High Gear cyclery/ Cannondale
36. Joe PIGGA – Lamprey Systems
37. Tyler BERLINER – BikeReg.com / Joe’s Garage
38. Matt TIMMERMAN – Cannondale
39. Evan HUFF – crossresults.com
40. Bill ELLISTON – Van Dessel Factory Team
41. Ryan FAWLEY – TRT BICYCLES p/b STANS NO TUBES
42. Andy BROOKS – Mason Dixon Velo/The Cycle Works
43. Andrew LYSAGHT – CUPPOW/Geekhouse/B2C2

Scott Kingsley

Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com

~Veggie Powered Athlete~

Location – Lancaster, PA

Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900

Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it

Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)

Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.

Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll

Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years

Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year

www.teamkickass.org