On a warm and dusty day, Helen Wyman (Kona) and Cameron Dodge (Pure Energy Cycling/Scott Bikes) pulled away from the field to take the win at day one of Charm City Cross.
In the women’s race, Wyman pulled away early and did not look back. With two sets of barriers, three sets of stairs, a flyover and four passes in succession through the sand pit, the European Champion was at home in a very European course.
Behind her, Arley Kemmerer (PB2 Pro Cycling) had a gap on Jessica Cutler (Jamis Bikesport p/b WA Bike Law). When Wyman bobbled and took a spill, Kemmerer was able to catch back on to her wheel. Wyman didn’t waste any time putting in her second dig, and pulled away from Kemmerer for a second time. Cutler was able to make up some time, but never caught back on to Kemmerer’s wheel.
The men’s race was much tighter, with Curtis White (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Cameron Dodge (Pure Energy Cycling/Scott Bikes), Lukas Winterberg (MG-Cycling Team), and Mike Garrigan (Van Dessel) breaking away from the pack early. White eventually dropped out, and ended the day with a DNF. Winterberg made a move off the front, but Dodge was able to respond, and the two rode off together. Garrigan worked to stay ahead of Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund/NCC) and Jonathan Page (Xceled). Chris Jones (UnitedHealthcare) was able to catch Page and Hyde, and accelerated to get away from the duo that everyone expected to dominate the race.
Meanwhile, at the front, Dodge was able to make his move in the sand and pulled away as he saw two to go. The young rider kept pushing to hold the gap, and again growing it through the sand.
Jones was able to continue making up ground, and eventually caught and passed Garrigan to move into third place. Well behind the leaders though, he knew his race was going to be for third.
As Dodge went through the sand one last time, the gap was large enough that he knew the win was his. Turning onto the final straight one last time, he looked over his shoulder to make sure the coast was clear. As he crossed the line, he gave a wave to the crowd to take the win.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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Location – Lancaster, PA
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