Trebon wins Colorado Cross Classic

Ryan Trebon (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com) won his first UCI race of the cyclo-cross season at the Colorado Cross Classic in Boulder, Colorado in a contest which was decided during a two-man sand duel with 500 meters left in the race. Third place finisher Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement), trying to gain the lead in the sandpit, crashed after hitting Trebon's wheel. Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) took advantage of Berden's misfortune by passing him to come in second place.

Powers worked his way through the entire field to get there after sliding out and dropping his chain not thirty seconds after taking the holeshot. The sixty-seven starters tackled a different course than in previous editions. Heavy September rains and flooding raised the level of the Boulder Reservoir, forcing a compact, twisty design. Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus) later attributed the formation of a large group of leaders that stuck for much of the race to the circuit's multiplied corners.

"There were so many corners you couldn't get away," McDonald said. "It was just corner, after corner, after corner, so we were all just sitting up, waiting for someone to do something. But no one wanted to do something because then there's just another loose corner…and none of us have been at altitude so no one wants to attack and so everyone just waits."

At the front of the large group were Danny Summerhill (K Edge/Felt), Trebon, Yannick Eckmann (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized), McDonald, and Raleigh-Clement's Jamey Driscoll, Allen Krughoff, and Berden. Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing) made his way into the lead group after two laps.

Summerhill owned the pack's driver's seat, a position at times taken by Trebon, Krughoff, Wells, and Berden. Eckmann fell out of the group after he went down mid-way through the race.

At last with three laps to go the leader's group reduced to four. Summerhill, Berden, Wells, and Trebon opened a gap of ten seconds to chasers that included McDonald, Krughoff, Tristan Schouten (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) and California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized riders Logan Owen, Cody Kaiser, and Tobin Ortenblad.

In the meantime Powers steadily pedaled his way forward. Going from first to last hadn't erased the good feelings he had in the morning pre-ride. "It was pretty early, so you give yourself a chance. I don't know what's going to happen but I had to give it a shot," he said after the race.

With just over one lap remaining only a few bike lengths separated Powers, now in fifth position on course, from the lead group of four. Whether Power's presence motivated him or not Trebon didn't say, but with one lap to go he attacked in the sand. "I put an effort in, rode it clean, got a gap, and luckily Jeremy couldn't close it," he later said. "Ben was coming fast in the last lap."

Berden overtook Powers and closed what he called a seven second gap to Trebon, but the effort would only produce third place. Trebon seized a much-awaited win, finishing five seconds ahead of Powers. Summerhill crossed the line in fourth place.

Berden, last year's Colorado Cross Classic winner, said after the race: "It's racing…it's a bummer. I was hoping for a win."

The Raleigh-Clement Belgian will have another opportunity Sunday at the Boulder Cup, which he's won previously, at the 2014 national championship venue, Valmont Bike Park. Powers' effort didn't appear to take him out of contention there.

"One of the big things I didn't want to do today was go too deep," Powers said after the race. "I felt really comfortable today so I think tomorrow is the goal; I'd like to win tomorrow for sure."

Full Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Ryan Trebon (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld0:58:23
2Jeremy Powers (USA) Rapha-Focus0:00:06
3Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh-Clement0:00:08
4Daniel Summerhill (USA) K-Edge/Felt0:00:13
5Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Racing0:00:21
6Logan Owen (USA)0:00:38
7Allen Krughoff (USA) Donnelly Sports0:00:40
8Tobin Ortenblad (USA)0:00:50
9Cody Kaiser (USA)0:00:53
10Tristan Schouten (USA)0:01:00
11Zach Mcdonald (USA)0:01:12
12Justin Lindine (USA) Redline / NBX0:01:24
13James Driscoll (USA)0:01:41
14Mitchell Hoke (USA)0:01:42
15Yannick Eckmann (USA) California Giant Cycling0:01:48
16Jake Wells (USA)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Skyler Trujillo (USA)0:01:49
18Matt Shriver (USA) TargeTraining Cycling Team0:01:56
19Brian Matter (USA)0:02:01
20Tim Allen (USA) Feedback Sports RacingRow 19 - Cell 2
21Isaac Neff (USA)0:02:12
22Rotem Ishay (USA)0:02:23
23Braden Kappius (USA) TEAM CLIF BAR Cycling0:02:40
24Kevin Noiles (Can)0:02:44
25Bryan Alders (USA) Marin Bikes Factory Team0:02:52
26Ken Benesh (USA) Evol Foods0:03:00
27Steven Stefko (USA) First City Cycling Team0:03:07
28Benjamin Sonntag (Ger)0:03:42
29Troy Wells (USA) Clif Bar Development Cross Team0:03:55
30Robin Eckmann (USA) California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized0:04:00
31Taylor Carrington (USA) Feedback Sports Racing0:04:05
32Christopher Case (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport0:04:18
33Greg Krause (USA) Groove Subaru-Alpha Bicycle Co0:04:27
34Chris Baddick (GBr)0:04:49
35Chad Young (USA)0:04:53
36William Nabours (USA) Boulder Running Company Cycling Team0:04:55
37Josh Whitney (USA) Evol Foods0:05:12
38Ian Mcpherson (USA) Clif Bar Development Cross Team0:05:15
39Oliver Vrambout (USA)Row 38 - Cell 2
40Shawn Harshman (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport0:05:16
41Kolben Preble (USA)0:05:43
42Joseph Clemenzi (USA) Sports Garage Cycling0:06:02
43Michael Friedberg (USA) Whole Foods Market Giordana Scott Sports0:06:11
44Mark Flis (USA)0:06:23
45Colin Dunlap (USA)0:06:40
46Brett Pirie (USA) Groove Subaru-Alpha Bicycle Co0:06:41
47Bryan Mickiewicz (USA) Feedback Sports Racing0:07:04
48Grant Holicky (USA) Evol Foods0:07:59
49Tyler Schwartz (USA)Row 48 - Cell 2
50Andrew Clemence (USA) CycletonRow 49 - Cell 2
51Edwin Bull (USA)Row 50 - Cell 2
52Sam Weinberg (USA)Row 51 - Cell 2
53Corey Piscopo (USA) Steamboat Velo p/b MootsRow 52 - Cell 2
54Earl Gage (USA)Row 53 - Cell 2
55Brad Neagos (USA) Natural Grocers Cycling TeamRow 54 - Cell 2
56David Sheek (USA)Row 55 - Cell 2
57Skyler Mackey (USA)Row 56 - Cell 2
58Anthony Wilhelm (USA)Row 57 - Cell 2
59Nathan Brown (USA)Row 58 - Cell 2
60Sam Chovan (USA) CycletonRow 59 - Cell 2

 

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Latest on Cyclingnews