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NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS – The race report for today will read almost exactly the same as Saturday’s, but rest assured, the races were indeed different, though with similar results, at least where the podium was concerned. Katerina Nash (Luna) again was victorious, and was followed by Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) and Sally Annis (Crossresults.com). Van Gilder maintains the Shimano Series overall lead going into the next race, Bay State at Sterling, Massachusetts.

Today was a bit different, since Katerina Nash didn’t take the same early lead as yesterday. Instead, a group of five formed early one, consisting of Nash, Van Gilder, Annis, Andrea Smith (Ladies First) and Mo Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill). The course was arguably faster and more power-focused today, with a double sandpit, a ride/run-up and a steep downhill with a sharp left-hand turn and a hop over railroad tracks almost immediately after.

Halfway through the race, Nash attacked the group on the back section of the course. While Van Gilder put up a gallant chase, she fumbled in a corner, letting Nash ride away to an eventual first place finish.

Cycle-Smart International 2011 Women's Podium © Molly Hurford

Cycle-Smart International 2011 Women's Podium © Molly Hurford

After that, the race did begin to run similarly to the day prior, with Annis and Van Gilder leading the group. Mo Bruno Roy, who scored a ninth place finish yesterday after an early mechanical pushed her all the way to the back of the pack, was unable to maintain the chase group’s pace and dropped back. Smith made a valiant effort as well, but the race for the podium came down to Annis and Van Gilder. Van Gilder made a pass in the final set of turns leading up to the pavement and took second place, leaving Annis in third and Smith finishing in fourth.

Katerina Nash on her two wins and what’s coming next:

[youtube WHbRzRfLk 580 380]

Check out the Men’s race here.

Results after the gallery.

Gallery by Mark Suprenant

Gallery by Natalia Boltukhova | Pedal Power Photography

Elite Women’s Results

PlaceFirst NameLast NameTeam
1KaterinaNASHLUNA Pro Team
2LauraVAN GILDERMellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers
3SallyANNIScrossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles
4AndreaSMITHLadies First
5MaureenBRUNO ROY
6CrystalANTHONY
7ElleANDERSONLadies First
8LinneaKOONS
9CatherineSTERLINGBikeman.com
10RebeccaWELLONS
11CarolynPOPOVIC
12PatriciaBUERKLE
13SheilaVIBERTSunapee Racing Team
14KathleenLYSAKOWSKICycle Lodge
15BrittLeeBOWMAN
16FrancesMORRISON
17NancyLABBE-GIGUERELadies First
18SarahKRZYSIAKTeam NYCROSS.com
19CassandraMAXIMENKO
20AliceHENRIQUESZanconato Racing
21JennyIVESFarm Team Cycling
22ChristinaTAMILIOLadies First
23ChristinaBIRCHMIT Cycling p/b FXDD
24MollyHURFORDTeam Rockstar Games / Signature Cycles
25BrynaBLANCHARD
26LauriWEBBER
27KristineCHURCH
28EmilyTHURSTONSTEVENS
29ElizabethLUKOWSKINYcross.com
30LaurenKLING
31MelissaROSS
32KathrynROSZKOBikeReg.com / Joe's Garage
33KathleenWULFKUHLECharm City Cycling LLC
34KaitlynLAWRENCECharm City Cycling LLC
35BaileySEMIANTeam Specialized - Rising STARS p/b Bicycling Magazine
36ElizabethWHITEBlue Steel Cyclery
DNFArleyKEMMERERCharm City Cycling LLC