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
- Laura Van Gilder – Van Dessel
- Gabby Durrin – Rapha-Focus
- Arley Kemmerer – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Nicole Theimann – Team CF
- Stacey Barbossa – Colvita
- Julie Hunter – Bike Beat/VA Asset Group
- Cassandra Maximenko – Rare Vos Cycling
- Ally Stacher – Specialized Lululemon
- Carolyn Popovic – Tema CF
- Jessica Kutz – Tea EPS/CSS
- Katrina Dowdchuk – Colvita
- Rebecca Blatt – Van Dessel
- Christina Birch – JAM Fund/NCC
- Frances Morrison – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Kathleen Wulfkuhl – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Katherine Sheilds – Mock Orange Pro CX Team
- Jennifer Tillman – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Joanne Grogan – Cyclcrossracing.com
- Katina Walker – Crankskins.com
- Bailey Semian – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Vickie Monahan – Rare Vos Racing
- Erica Yozell – Bicycle Therapy
- Victoria Gates – JAM Fund/NCC
- Molly Hurford – Colvita
- Linda Molendyke – Bicycle Therapy
- Allyson Tudano – Sportif Coaching Group
- Dana McAllister – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
- Erin Mascelli – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
- Kristine Church – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
- Kimberly Thomas – New Holland Brewing
- Lisa Most – Wissahickon/Engin Cycles
- Lauren Festa – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
- Amy Breyla – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Heather Heinrich – Wooden Wheels Racing
- Kaitlyn Lawrence – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co
- Caitlin Thompson – Peanut Butter and Co/Human Zoom
- Ginny Jeppe – Sublime Athletics Velo
Men’s Results
- Todd WELLS – Specialized
- Weston SCHEMPF – SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel
- Ryan KNAPP – Pony Shop Cyclocross
- Lukas WINTERBERG – M?ler Landscape / BH Bikes
- Stephen HYDE – JAM Fund / NCC
- Anthony CLARK – JAM Fund / NCC
- Adam MYERSON – Team SmartStop-Mountain Khakis
- Jacob LASLEY – Team Soundpony
- Edwin BULL – Van Dessel Factory Team
- Justin LINDINE – Redline / NBX
- Robert MARION – American Classic Pro CX Team
- Brendan RHIM – KMS/Start House Cycling Team
- Cameron DODGE – TEAM SKYLINE / SCOTT BIKES
- Lewis GAFFNEY – American Classic Pro CX Team
- Greg WITTWER – C3-Twenty20 Cycling Co.
- Isaac YOZELL – TEAM BIG GUY GROUP
- Andrew MESSER – Cyclocrossworld.com
- Paul MESI – Fast Frankie Coaching/CLR
- Josh DILLON – BikeReg.com / Joe’s Garage
- Jake SITLER – SEAVS/Haymarket pb Van Dessel
- Nick WAITE – Pro Tested Gear
- Stephen CUMMINGS – C3-20Twenty Cycling Co
- Charles SCHUBERT – GPM Sport
- Jordan SNYDER – PRO BIKES
- Mike GARRIGAN – Van Dessel
- Steven ORDONS – Philadelphia ciclismo
- Wyatt STOUP – Mt Borah / Minerva Design p/b B
- Adam ST. GERMAIN – ENGVT / Specialized
- Gerald ADASAVAGE – Bicycle Therapy / Melitta
- Michael MIHALIK – Freddie Fu Cycling Team
- Eric OISHI – MTBNJ.com – Halter’s
- Zoltan TISZA – Champion System p/b Stan’s NoTubes
- Skyler MACKEY – Team Soundpony
- Mike FESTA – Philadelphia Ciclismo
- Cody LACOSTA – High Gear cyclery/ Cannondale
- Joe PIGGA – Lamprey Systems
- Tyler BERLINER – BikeReg.com / Joe’s Garage
- Matt TIMMERMAN – Cannondale
- Evan HUFF – crossresults.com
- Bill ELLISTON – Van Dessel Factory Team
- Ryan FAWLEY – TRT BICYCLES p/b STANS NO TUBES
- Andy BROOKS – Mason Dixon Velo/The Cycle Works
- Andrew LYSAGHT – CUPPOW/Geekhouse/B2C2
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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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
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Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
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