Nash sweeps Providence Cyclo-cross Festival

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Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) swept the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival weekend by winning day two with a late race attack, crossing the finish line 12 seconds ahead of current US National Champion and World Cup winner Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective). Defending race winner, Helen Wyman, rounded out the podium in third place.

A lead group of four was quickly established in the women's race with all three podium finishers plus season sensation Elle Anderson (Cal Giant Berry Farms - Specialized).

Anderson began to show signs of weakness with three laps remaining, however, and while she was able to fight back to the leaders, a few strong attacks from Nash and Compton eventually took their toll and Anderson fell off the pace once and for all.

With two laps left, Wyman was the next rider to fall victim to the pace, fighting desperately to claw her back to the two leaders. With now only two riders in front at the bell lap, Nash attacked and opened a small gap on Compton.

Nash continued to push the pace and half a lap later she extended her lead over Compton to nearly 15 seconds. The Czech rider would hold this gap to win solo for the third time in as many races this season.

"I tried to be conservative in the sketchy sections of the course and not take any unnecessary chances on the course," said Nash after the race. "I went for it on the few sections of the course where you could pedal really hard and in the end it was enough."

"Katerina attacked on the finish stretch and I was able to stay close, but when she attacked again after the run up, I was already on the rivet and I couldn't close it," said Compton of Nash's late-race move.

Elle Anderson left the weekend with the Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series presented by Verge leader's jersey.