Ben Berden was no stranger to the quick ascent with loose dirt, also keeping up with the leaders for most of the race. © Andrew Reimann
(Iowa City, IO) – Day One of Jingle Cross was partly about keeping a good technique, and partly about heat management for the riders taking the course. Just how cold was it? Allen Krughoff posted a picture on Instagram of him keeping his face warm as his breath fogs up his glasses. He reported sub-20 degree temperatures after the sun went down.
Krughoff had a good start, but an unfortunate crash on the second lap caused him to chase for the rest of the race, and he eventually took ninth. Ahead of the Noosa rider, Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) took the win during the night race, followed by teammate Jamey Driscoll. Berden’s season, with his second place last week behind Danny Summerhill at Derby City, can hardly be accused of having a rough season, but the Belgian rider must be relieved to finally be standing at the top of the podium.
In third place, Brian Matter (KS Energy Services) crossed the finish line eight seconds back. Matter, who beat the Raleigh-Clement duo several weeks ago in the Gateway Cross Cup, also scored big in the mountain bike last weekend in Michigan’s notorious Ice Man race.
In the Women’s Elite race, Katerina Nash (Luna Pro) grabbed another win, which brings her streak to five in a row after weekends in Cincinnati and Louisville. Courtenay Mcfadden (GE-American Classic) finished ten seconds back in second place, with Meredith Miller (Noosa) rounding out the podium.
