Anthony Remains on Top, Durrin Snags First UCI Victory in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series at Baystate Cyclocross

Spectators watch from atop a ridge as Durrin rides to his first UCI win. © Todd Prekaski

by Cindy Brennan

STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS – Round 5 of the Verge New England Cyclocross Series unfolded on a brisk, windy afternoon in Sterling, Massachusetts at Baystate Cyclocross today. The famously tough course, designed by Tom Stevens, features long sections of pedaling requiring a good deal of power, along with challenging off-camber turns and punchy climbs favoring technically adept riders. The wind would also prove to be a key player in the shaping of today’s events, with gusts of such force that they blew over team tents and metal barricades. This wind also opened gaps between riders and presented a tiring force to ride up against, requiring racers to strategize in larger groups.

The Elite Women hit the course, and a group of ten immediately formed at the front of the race. Attacks forced the group apart, with Crystal Anthony (Cyclocrossworld.com) gaining distance on the rest. Arley Kemmerer (Charm City Cycling) and Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom Racing) worked together battling the wind to try to chase Anthony down, as Evelyne Blouin (Ride with Rendall) and Natasha Elliot (The Cyclery) followed. Anthony’s gap built into a clear victory, sweeping the Verge Series this year with five wins in a row. Second and third podium spot looked like it would come down to a sprint battle, as Kemmerer and Van Gilder stuck together until nearly the end. An attack came from Van Gilder, who managed to keep Kemmerer at bay to claim second. Maghalie Rochette (Powerwatts-FT Time) motored her way through the Blouin and Elliot group, surpassing them to finish fourth.

The sun was low in the sky as the whistle blew to start the Elite Men’s race. Jeremy Durrin and Adam Myerson led the pack through the first turn onto the course, leading a group of ten other riders into a break. The group eventually whittled down to Justin Lindine (Redline), Mike Garrigan (Stage-race/Blacksmith Cycle), Sean Milne (Cyclocrossworld.com), Derrick St. John (Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery), Dan Timmerman (Richard Sachs – RGM Watches), Christian Favata (Richard Sachs – RGM Watches), and Jeremy Durrin (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria), who endured a hefty load of the headwinds as he led the group through the course. Lindine, a contender for the win, saw his streak of difficulties and bad luck continue as his saddle became detached from his bike forcing him to pit, lose the lead group, and battle into the wind to catch on. The remaining group stayed together until Durrin attacked in the last lap as the sun was setting over Sterling. Durrin rode smoothly and efficiently into a strong victory, his first in a UCI race. Behind him the group had blown apart from the attack. Garrigan crossed the line in second and Milne third. In fourth was Timmerman, and Lindine chased back on for a respectable fifth place.

The chilly spectators who braved the cold were still all too happy to shout “encouragement” at racers. © Cyclocross Magazine

Tomorrow’s Round 6 of the Verge New England Cyclocross Series will be the finale of the 2012 edition, where awards will be presented in eleven categories after the day’s final race.

Stay tuned for an interview with Durrin about his first ever UCI win.

Women’s Results:

Men’s Results: