Anderson sweeps Gran Prix of Gloucester

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Elle Anderson (California Giant Berries/Specialized) must have felt like she was dreaming as she defeated European Champion Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team) for the second day straight. Wyman rode a tactically smart race but was no match for Anderson on the pavement. She finished second on the day. Meredith Miller (California Giant Berries/Specialized) had a much better ride today, finishing third. Gabby Durrin (Rapha Focus), the early race aggressor, finished fourth. Crystal Anthony (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) had to settle for fifth.

While Durrin initially went to the front and drove the pace, Anderson moved to the lead within the first few laps, and could be seen towing as many as 10 riders around the track. Wyman would occasionally pass Anderson in sections where she felt faster, but would then slip back off the lead.

Wyman said, "I worked it out from yesterday and my plan was to sit second wheel the entire race. I think I probably did 90 percent of it and then occasionally I find it hard to just sit in. I'm not that kind of rider that attacks, goes hard, and that kind of thing. I was just working on staying second wheel and the occasional thing I thought I can do this faster so I would attack."

"On a course like this that's fast and it's just down to speed, and speed is something you don't necessarily work on at this time in the cross season. You might need it on ice but you don't necessarily need it for muddy October weather."

Anderson completed a storybook period of nine days. First she swept the UCI races in Wisconsin and then the Gloucester races this weekend. An accomplished road racer, she has obviously brought some excellent fitness into her cyclo-cross season.

Anderson was met at the finish line today by her father. Afterwards, she was nearly speechless but eventually talked about her victory, "It was great. It was fast. I wanted to break the group up so I put my head down and had no idea who would stay with me. I wanted to keep the group small."

When asked what these past two weeks have felt like, she said "It's pretty unbelievable actually. It's a pretty incredible feeling."