The U.S. Open of Cyclocross returned to Boulder, Colorado’s Valmont Bike Park on Saturday for the first of two days of UCI racing. While the Pacific Northwest was getting pounded by rain, in Boulder, just as at the Gran Prix of Gloucester out east, sunny, warm and dry, dusty conditions greeted racers for a spectacular mud-free day of racing.
Once the racing got underway, Boulder cyclocross teams’ racers wasted no time in capitalizing on their home course and home air advantage.
Denzel Stephenson (Boulder Junior Cycling) continued his winning ways, taking the day’s win ahead of Kendrick Boots (Alpha Bicycles Junior Development Team). Stephenson has been undefeated at UCI Junior races, winning both UCI Junior races at the 2016 KMC Cross Fest two weeks ago.
Denzel Stephenson wins the US Open of Cyclocross Day 1. Valmont Bike Park, Boulder. © Cathy Fegan Kim
In the Elite Women’s race, one of Boulder’s own in Amanda Miller (Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo) took to the front and quickly showed her competitors that she was motivated and ready to put on a show for her local team and fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLmUd7yjNjF/?taken-by=sword
Miller was elated with her win, recalling, “Really hot dry day, I knew the field would be strong. I am happy to be home and racing locally.”
Amanda Miller wins the US Open of Cyclocross Day 1. Valmont Bike Park, Boulder. © Cathy Fegan Kim
Behind, one of the season’s biggest surprises in Melinda McCutcheon (DNA-Cotton Sox), gave chase and in the running for the win until a crash with three to go gave Miller the final gap. McCutcheon was the only one to finish within a minute of Miller.
McCutcheon (DNA-Cotton Sox) was in the running for the win before a crash. US Open of Cyclocross Day 1. Valmont Bike Park, Boulder. © Cathy Fegan Kim
Erin Huck (Scott-3Rox Racing), Sofia Gomez Villafane (Tenspeed Hero) and “retired” Grinduro winner Meredith Miller (Focus) rounded out the top five.
Home court advantage was an even bigger factor in the U.S. Open of Cyclocross Elite Men’s race. Three Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo riders took to the front as Allen Krughoff, Yannick Eckmann and Grant Ellwood managed a commanding lead through the first five laps.
The Elite Men’s start. US Open of Cyclocross Day 1. Valmont Bike Park, Boulder. © Cathy Fegan Kim
Columbian Hector Riveros (QARVimports/Raleigh Bikes) with Jonathan Page (Fuji) would chase throughout but just couldn’t make the junction.
Ellwood would fade from the front and finish the day in sixth but his teammates remained up front to battle each other for the win.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLmiS_-AAvL/?taken-by=arae.miller
Eckmann took the victory over Krughoff, with Riveros, Page and the bunnyhopping Maxx Chance (EVOL Racing) rounding out the top five.
“It was a little bit of revenge, because it was similar to the Nationals course three years ago and it felt great to get the win.” – Yannick Eckmann
Unseasonably warm temps are expected to return for tomorrow’s second day of racing. Full results below the quick video highlight from Day 1:
2016 US Open of Cyclocross UCI Day 1 Results - Junior Men
| Pos | Bib | Name | Team | NAT | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | STEPHENSON Denzel | Boulder Junior Cycling | USA | 37:13.7 | - |
| 2 | 16 | BOOTS Kendrick | Alpha Bicycles Junior Development Team | USA | 37:28.5 | 0:14 |
| 3 | 12 | ELLWOOD Ross | 7-Eleven/Boulder Junior Cycling | USA | 37:45.5 | 0:31 |
| 4 | 18 | JONES Henry | Bend Endurance Academy | USA | 38:05.4 | 0:51 |
| 5 | 11 | SHEEHAN Riley | Excel Sports | USA | 38:22.9 | 1:09 |
| 6 | 22 | JENKINS Nicholas | TEAM CLIF Bar Cycling | USA | 38:42.1 | 1:28 |
| 7 | 25 | CAMPBELL Alex | TEAM CLIF BAR | USA | 38:46.6 | 1:32 |
| 8 | 21 | BRUNNER Nolan | Boulder Junior Cycling | USA | 39:00.3 | 1:46 |
| 9 | 15 | SOTEBEER Drew | Alpha Bicycle Co - Vista Subaru | USA | 39:27.0 | 2:13 |
| 10 | 19 | SCHULZ George | Van Dessel Factory Team | USA | 40:00.3 | 2:46 |
| 11 | 23 | BIRKY Donovan | Hutch's/Bend Dental | USA | 40:20.6 | 3:06 |
| 12 | 20 | BRYANT Isaac | Alpha Bike Co.- Vista Subaru | USA | 41:09.2 | 3:55 |
| 13 | 24 | GULLICKSON Finn | TEAM CLIF BAR | USA | 41:19.7 | 4:05 |
| 14 | 14 | WATSON Campbell | Boulder Junior Cycling | USA | 41:53.4 | 4:39 |
| 15 | 13 | MELTON Wiley | Melton Design Build PB GS CIAO | USA | 42:20.4 | 5:06 |
| 16 | 17 | PAGE Cole | HIFI Sound Cycling Components | USA | 42:27.5 | 5:13 |
2016 US Open of Cyclocross UCI C2 Day 1 Results - Elite Women
| Pos | Bib | U23 | Name | Team | NAT | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MILLER Amanda | Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo | USA | 48:46.1 | - | |
| 2 | 9 | MCCUTCHEON Melinda | DNA-Cotton Sox | USA | 49:29.4 | 0:43 | |
| 3 | 24 | HUCK Erin | Scott-3Rox Racing | USA | 50:08.7 | 1:22 | |
| 4 | 5 | GOMEZ VILLAFANE Sofia | TENSPEED HERO | ARG | 50:19.0 | 1:32 | |
| 5 | 2 | MILLER Meredith | Focus | USA | 50:39.8 | 1:53 | |
| 6 | 3 | KACHOREK Emily | Squid | USA | 50:50.6 | 2:04 | |
| 7 | 32 | ARMAN Daniele | TENSPEED HERO | USA | 51:38.5 | 2:52 | |
| 8 | 12 | BARKER Melissa | EVOL Elite Racing | USA | 51:42.4 | 2:56 | |
| 9 | 11 | DONG Evelyn | Cannondale 360 fly p/b sugoi | USA | 51:51.3 | 3:05 | |
| 10 | 30 | WILLIAMS Hannah | Kent Eriksen Cycles Factory Team | USA | 51:56.8 | 3:10 | |
| 11 | 31 | WEBER Kristin | Boulder Cycle Sport/ YogaGlo | USA | 52:02.5 | 3:16 | |
| 12 | 6 | ORTON Beth Ann | Team S+M Sellwood Cycle Repair | USA | 52:11.5 | 3:25 | |
| 13 | 25 | AREND Kristie | 50x15 | USA | 52:28.2 | 3:42 | |
| 14 | 34 | HUDSON Lisa | Feedback Sports | USA | 52:45.7 | 3:59 | |
| 15 | 35 | SKARDA Alexis | Stan's Notubes Elite Women's Team | USA | 53:03.7 | 4:17 | |
| 16 | 8 | * | HONSINGER Clara | Team S+M | USA | 53:20.1 | 4:33 |
| 17 | 36 | LIVINGSTON Suzie | Fort Follies | USA | 53:44.3 | 4:58 | |
| 18 | 28 | NEWLIN Meghan | SALT/ Full Cycle Boulder | USA | 54:08.1 | 5:21 | |
| 19 | 21 | MORRISON Deidre | Stages Cycling | USA | 54:26.7 | 5:40 | |
| 20 | 10 | * | LEPIKHINA Ksenia | Cross Propz | USA | 54:44.8 | 5:58 |
| 21 | 29 | BEISEL Amy | Griggs Orthopedics | USA | 55:14.8 | 6:28 | |
| 22 | 27 | * | YOUNGWERTH Abby | TENSPEED HERO | USA | 56:00.7 | 7:14 |
| 23 | 20 | HOLICKY Breeze | EVOL DevoElite racing | USA | 56:28.8 | 7:42 | |
| 24 | 4 | VESTAL Caitlyn | Feedback Sports Racing | USA | 57:29.5 | 8:43 | |
| 25 | 23 | * | DEHORNEY Tiziana | PDX/TI (Portland Titanium) | USA | 58:27.0 | 9:40 |
| 26 | 14 | * | ZOERNER Ashley | Alpha Bicycle Company Vista Subaru | USA | @ 2 Laps | |
| 27 | 37 | MICKEY Abigail | Velocio | USA | @ 3 Laps | ||
| 28 | 22 | LUKAS Sarah | Amy D Foundation | USA | @ 3 Laps | ||
| 29 | 26 | GINSBACH Sarah | Topo Designs Cycling Club | USA | @ 4 Laps | ||
| DNF | 7 | BLATT Rebecca | Van Dessel | USA | |||
| DNF | 13 | GHENT Christa | EVOL DevoElite Racing | USA | |||
| DNS | 38 | CARTER Melanie | Feedback Sports | USA | |||
| DNS | 33 | GUROV Heidi | 9Seventy Racing | USA |
2016 US Open of Cyclocross UCI C2 Day 1 Results - Elite Men
| Pos | Bib | U23 | Name | Team | NAT | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | ECKMANN Yannick | Boulder Cycle Sport/ Yogaglo | USA | 04:39.5 | - | |
| 2 | 2 | KRUGHOFF Allen | Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo | USA | 04:51.6 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | 12 | RIVEROS Hector | QARVimports/Raleigh Bikes | COL | 04:57.3 | 0:17 | |
| 4 | 1 | PAGE Jonathan | Fuji | USA | 05:10.9 | 0:31 | |
| 5 | 8 | * | CHANCE Maxx | EVOL Racing | USA | 06:19.1 | 1:39 |
| 6 | 10 | * | ELLWOOD Grant | Boulder Cycle Sport / YogaGlo | USA | 06:41.1 | 2:01 |
| 7 | 6 | KAISER Cody | LangeTwins / Specialized | USA | 06:51.9 | 2:12 | |
| 8 | 3 | WELLS Troy | Team CLIF Bar | USA | 07:38.1 | 2:58 | |
| 9 | 4 | LINDINE Justin | Apex/NBX/Trek | USA | 07:45.6 | 3:06 | |
| 10 | 11 | * | MCPHERSON Ian | EVOL Racing | USA | 07:56.5 | 3:16 |
| 11 | 34 | DONALD Jason | Skratch Labs/Donkey Label Foundry Cycles | USA | 08:14.9 | 3:35 | |
| 12 | 58 | CUPP Cody | SET Coaching | USA | 08:31.2 | 3:51 | |
| 13 | 9 | BRADFORD-PARISH Kevin | SETCoaching | USA | 08:35.2 | 3:55 | |
| 14 | 43 | STEFKO Steven | First City Cycling Team p/b Noosa | USA | 08:51.7 | 4:12 | |
| 15 | 31 | SELANDER Bjorn | Borah Teamwear | USA | 09:40.2 | 5:00 | |
| 16 | 48 | * | TANNER Jack | Boulder Junior Cycling/ 7-Eleven | USA | 09:57.9 | 5:18 |
| 17 | 32 | DOLZANI Samuel | Honey Stinger/Bontrager | USA | 10:07.8 | 5:28 | |
| 18 | 17 | CAMPBELL Kacey | First City Cycling | USA | 10:19.7 | 5:40 | |
| 19 | 45 | FOSSELL Eric | Veloforma | USA | 10:30.5 | 5:50 | |
| 20 | 13 | * | GERCHAR Garrett | Clif Bar | USA | 10:40.5 | 6:01 |
| 21 | 59 | ETTINGER Stephen | RideBiker Alliance p/b Focus Bikes | USA | 10:47.3 | 6:07 | |
| 22 | 51 | NEAGOS Brad | Bissell-ABG-Giant | USA | 10:49.7 | 6:10 | |
| 23 | 40 | BURLEIGH Michael | EVOL Racing | USA | 10:50.0 | 6:10 | |
| 24 | 35 | REYES David | Tenspeed Hero | USA | 11:05.8 | 6:26 | |
| 25 | 33 | POSTIER Dylan | Renewed Cyclocross | USA | 11:29.6 | 6:50 | |
| 26 | 62 | ALDERS Bryan | Training Peaks | USA | 11:38.0 | 6:58 | |
| 27 | 61 | MORRISON Samuel | Stages Cycling | USA | 12:13.4 | 7:33 | |
| 28 | 52 | FRIEDBERG Michael | EVOL Racing | USA | 12:23.2 | 7:43 | |
| 29 | 49 | * | BICKMORE Cade | Marian University Cycling Team | USA | @ 3 Laps | |
| 30 | 42 | FARABAUGH Adam | Support Clean Sport/SeaSucker/Gutt Coaching | USA | @ 3 Laps | ||
| 31 | 41 | VAUGHN Aaron | Rally Sport | USA | @ 3 Laps | ||
| 32 | 30 | KAPPIUS Braden | Team Clif Bar | USA | @ 3 Laps | ||
| 33 | 56 | JACOBS Jayson | BREISMEISTER FACTORY RACING | USA | @ 4 Laps | ||
| 34 | 44 | DIREEN Josh | Define Cycling/ Focus Bikes | USA | @ 4 Laps | ||
| 35 | 39 | OSTROWSKI Jeremy | Reynolds Roofing | USA | @ 4 Laps | ||
| 36 | 54 | * | SQUILLACI Taylor | Zen Bikes/Hifi | USA | @ 4 Laps | |
| 37 | 57 | JOHNSON Kyle | Team Yacht Club | USA | @ 4 Laps | ||
| 38 | 50 | GAUBERT Adam | USA | @ 5 Laps | |||
| 39 | 60 | SCHWEIKER Matt | TENSPEED HERO | USA | @ 5 Laps | ||
| 40 | 46 | THOMAS Nick | Trek Cyclocross Collective | USA | @ 5 Laps | ||
| 41 | 37 | SHATTELL Fred | Sonic Boom Racing p/b Lucky Pie | USA | @ 5 Laps | ||
| DNF | 53 | LEWIS Greg | 2nd Ave Sports Durango | USA | |||
| DNF | 16 | * | DOWNING Spencer | Panache Houndstooth Racing | USA | ||
| DNF | 15 | * | EARL Liam | Team Clif Bar | USA | ||
| DNF | 36 | * | GAUTHIER Thomas | Independent-cc | CAN | ||
| DNF | 38 | * | BRUNNER Eric | EVOL Racing | USA | ||
| DNF | 55 | WHITNEY Josh | EVOL Racing | USA | |||
| DNS | 7 | RICHEY Craig | Garneau - Easton Cycling | CAN | |||
| DNS | 14 | PURVIS John | Tyson Foods Cycling Club | USA | |||
| DNS | 47 | * | ANDERSON Jonathan | FLC | USA |
