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Tim Johnson takes an early Verge NECCS lead. © Laura Kozlowski

by Jeffrey Bramhall

The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle-Smart kicked off today in Williston, Vermont. The first day of the Green Mountain Cyclocross weekend was capped by the dominant wins of Sally Annis (crossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles) and National Champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com).

A cool damp morning turned into a warm and bright day at the Catamount Family Center and the first weekend of UCI racing in New England brought out some familiar faces as well as some new ones. Crossresults.com’s Sally Annis took the Elite Women’s field by surprise by powering away from a group that included Maureen Bruno-Roy (Bob’s Red Mill/Seven Cycles) and Crystal Anthony (Ladies First). “I knew I was going well but those girls are really fast, I knew I just had to keep on the gas,” said Annis following her victory, seeming almost surprised that she was able to create an insurmountable lead. Annis’s win was her first-ever UCI level victory. Behind, Anthony and Bruno-Roy were taking hard pulls to keep away from an elite chase group of six riders. As the laps ticked down, it became apparent that Anthony and Bruno-Roy were going to battle for the final two steps of the podium; heading into the final corners, Anthony took the lead with Bruno-Roy content to sit second wheel, confident in her ability to come around in a sprint. Bruno-Roy attempted to make her move with about 50 meters left and Anthony closed the door, forcing the Bob’s Red Mill racer to try to change sides, unable to do so, Anthony crossed the line second with Bruno-Roy third.

The Elite Men saw Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com) power away from a stacked field. Said second place finisher Luca Damiani (El Gato CX p/b Podium Cycling), “I tried to attack and TJ went after I did. Nobody could catch him.” As Damiani chased, solidifying his second place the battle for third as well as the U-23 lead came into play. A group containing Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Cannondale), Joachim Parbo (KCH Leopard Cycles) and Jerome Townsend (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/Scott) vied for the third spot overall while Townsend solidified his position at the top of the U-23. According to Parbo, who came fourth, Lindine discovered a new gear unmatchable by his chasing companions and soloed into third. The U-23 podium was rounded out by a pair of Keoughs – Luke and Jake – on their new Champion Systems/Keough Racing team.

The 35+ Masters saw the renewing of an old rivalry. Age group national champions and teammates at Corner Cycles, Jonny Bold and Kevin Hines returned to their position head-up against perennial foe and former national champ Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo). In a display of sheer will, Aspholm powered away from the Corner Cycles racers and put on the Verge NECCS Leader’s jersey for the first time this year. The U-19 Men were headlined by Yohan Patry (Ride With Rendell)’s emphatic victory over Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) and Tyler Berliner (Belgen Cycles). The U-15 podium was swept by teammates for Bliss Racing Bill Harmeyer, Henry Harmeyer and Cooper Willsey.

The 45+ Masters victory was taken by Erich Gutbier (CCC Keltic Construction/Zane’s Cycles) in a sprint over perennial contender John Mosher (Wheelworks Racing). The 55+ win went to Tim Groesbeck of CCB Racing ahead of Edward Hamer from Joe’s Garage and Ravid Rath of Corner Cycle.

The first ever Womens 3/4 series jersey was taken by Elle Anderson (NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental) who edged Emma White (NYCross.com/VOMax/CBRC) with both a full minute ahead of third place Karen Tripp from Blue Steel Cyclery.

The Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend continues Sunday as this year’s first crop of series leaders battle to hold onto their leads.

The 2010 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series will be contested over five weekends. Rounds one and two will take place in Williston, VT at the Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend on September 18 and 19. Rounds three and four will be Downeast Cyclocross in New Gloucester, Maine on October 23 and 24. The 20th Edition of the Cycle Smart International will be rounds five and six on November 6 and 7 in Northampton, MA. Bay State Cyclocross and the NBX GP of Cross will hold the final four rounds of the series in Sterling, MA on November 28 and 29 and in Warwick, RI on December 4 and 5, respectively. This year’s series is generously supported by Verge Sport, makers of fine cycling clothing and products since 1993; by Bob’s Red Mill, producers of whole grain foods for every meal of the day; by Cycle-Smart, purveyors of personalized cycling coaching and solutions for riders across the country; by BikeReg.com, the official online registration service of the NECCS; by Pedal Power Photography, the official photographer of the NECCS; by crossresults.com, the internet’s premier race result and ranking resource; by Challenge, makers of professional level tubulars and open tubulars and by Ryders Eyewear, sport-specific and performance eyewear. Visit these sponsors and get more information on the series by going to the web at http://www.cycle-smart.com/neccs.

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