Jeremy Powers Rides the Stairs to Escape Tim Johnson at Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1 – Report, Results, Photos

Jeremy Powers (Rapha Focus) resumed his early season winning ways with a last lap escape from Tim Johnson (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) and the chasing, aggressive Raleigh-Clement duo of Jamey Driscoll and Ben Berden. Powers rode the small staircase to cement his gap (we’ve seen this before, but on a different kind of bike) and draw first blood at the race affectionately known as New England Worlds.

Trebon leads over the barriers. © Todd Prekaski

The Elite men’s star-studded field hit the course next. Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement) pressed the pace right off the bat, creating a lead group of Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh Clement), Ryan Trebon (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld), and U23 National Champion Yannick Eckmann (California Giant/Specialized). Behind them chased Shawn Milne (Keough Cyclocross), Tim Johnson (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld), and Jeremy Durrin (Optum Racing p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies). Johnson kicked his motor into overdrive to connect with the leaders, as teammates Berden and Driscoll traded attacks on the group. Jeremy Powers (Rapha-FOCUS) bridged up, bringing Milne and Jesse Anthony with him, forming a supergroup of the race’s biggest players. More attacks shattered the group, as Powers, Trebon, and Johnson rode away, Berden and Driscoll seconds behind. Trebon fell back to fifth after a flat, leaving Powers and Johnson to duke it out for the win. Powers attacked in the last half lap to win that battle, with Johnson taking second and Driscoll third. Berden was on Driscoll’s wheel for fourth, and Trebon nabbed fifth.

Jeremy Powers takes another Gloucester win. © Todd Prekaski

Early on in the race, Berden and Driscoll were the early aggressors, and as Driscoll explained, “My boss told me to go hard, so I went hard.” He certainly followed orders, putting early favorites like Ryan Trebon (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) into difficulty.

The men’s podium at Gloucester Day 1. © Todd Prekaski

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Click here for the women’s report.

Reports by Cynthia Brennan, Andrew Yee and Molly Hurford

Gloucester Day 1 Elite Mens Results 2013