Trebon out-sprints Johnson in USGP thriller

After twice coming in as runner-up during the 2009 and 2010 national championships in Bend and then missing the inaugural Deschutes Brewery Cup because of injury last year, Ryan Trebon finally scored a big hometown win Saturday at the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross.

The Bend resident out-sprinted Tim Johnson down the finishing straight after the two Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com teammates separated themselves from an elite lead group of four about halfway through the 60-minute race.

“I'm stoked,” a shivering Trebon said after the race, which finished in near darkness and close-to-freezing temperatures. “Unfortunately, I wasn't able to race last year, and so it's nice to come out here and win this year. It's always nice racing at home. I always like being here, and I think we get the most rambunctious crowds all season here in Oregon and especially in Bend. It was awesome. It was a good race today.”

Day one of the USGP finale started off fast and furious as a youth movement led by Danny Summerhill (Chipotle Development Team) and Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus) blasted off the start line to take the holeshot into turn one leading to the largely dirt and wooded section of the course.

As the riders emerged from the woods, Trebon had joined Summerhill, and the duo had a gap of about five seconds over Johnson, McDonald and Yannick Eckmann (Cal Giant-Specialized) as they started the second of nine laps. Half a lap later, Johnson and Eckmann had joined the leaders, while McDonald, Adam Craig (Rabobank), Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) dangled just behind.

Starting lap four, the lead quartet, which now included Summerhill, Trebon, Johnson and Eckmann, had a dozen seconds on Craig, Driscoll, Berden and McDonald. Summerhill continually attacked the lead group, hoping a couple of podium finishes in Bend could lift him from sixth overall onto the series podium. Trebon was impressed with Summerhill's aggressiveness, but not really worried.

“He was pretty good,” Trebon said if his younger opponent. “But I could tell he was going hard because he wasn't super smooth on the bike. He was making little mistakes.”

One of those mistakes cost Summerhill his spot with the leaders just as they were about to start lap five. Summerhill tangled with some course tape in an off-camber grass section just before the start/finish straightaway and fell hard, smashing his helmet on the ground with force.

“I was hoping for a win/podium today,” Summerhill said. “But that was obviously not gonna happen once I hit the deck that hard. I think I broke my helmet. I did a real good number. I'm just glad it was grass that I landed on and not pavement.”

Summerhill's crash prompted Trebon to attack, which also spelled the end of Eckmann's ride with the leaders. As they turned the corner to start lap six, Trebon and Johnson had a 13-second lead over Eckmann and another healthy gap back to Summerhill, Craig, Driscoll and Berden.

Seeing his opportunity for a podium spot riding just up the road in Eckmann, Summerhill pressed the pace again, eventually pulling Eckmann back into the chase group, while Johnson and Trebon worked well together to add another 20 seconds to their advantage.

“Once I made a big effort and Tim came up to me, we kind of just sat on each other and worked together little bit,” Trebon said. “But it's kind of one of those things where we wait until the gap is big enough and then we can race each other for the win.”

Trebon and Johnson had several conversations during the race as they motored over the smooth pavement of the start/finish straight, and it looked like Trebon was “encouraging” his teammate to take a turn on the front. But Johnson said they were both always on the same page.

“We were talking about sharing the load because we had a gap over third place,” Johnson said. “It's kind of one of those things where we help contribute to stay away so that we have a shot to win, and not have someone make a mistake and someone else comes up and messes with our party.”

While Johnson and Trebon made arrangements for their own party, the battle for the final podium spot was lighting off fireworks behind them. While Summerhill and Craig appeared to be the strongest riders in the chase group, another bobble by the Chipotle rider opened the gate for Craig to ride onto the podium.

“I let Adam go, stupidly, because I crashed into some fencing, and that was all she wrote,” Summerhill said. “Better luck next time, I guess. I'll be back tomorrow.”

With Craig now chasing solo about 45 seconds back, and the rest of the chasers spread out behind him, the battle for the top two podium spots shifted into high gear. Johnson tried to ditch Trebon in some of the tight turns of the wooded section, but his teammate adhered to him like a wet tongue to a frozen pole.

“I tried to get Ryan to make a mistake a couple of times in the woods,” Johnson said. “But he was riding really well in the technical stuff. In the straightaways he's obviously such a big, strong, powerful rider, it's always tough to match him like that.”

Trebon had the same idea and looked for his opportunity to jump around Johnson on the final lap so he could have the lead going through the final corner.

“I knew I needed to be in the front for the sprint, and so I kind of took the inside before the last little turn at the exit of pit 2,” Trebon said. “I just kind of kept the tempo up and tried to position myself well so I could lead out the sprint. It's so short, there's no way I could have come around.”

Trebon's strategy worked; he led through the final corner and easily held off Johnson for the win. Craig held on for third, coming in 54 seconds after the leaders. Summerhill came in fourth, followed by McDonald, the top U23 finisher. Craig's result marked his first podium appearance at the USGP, and it provided some extra motivation for the rest of the season.

“This was always the goal, to be in the mix,” Craig said. “It would have been nice to make the separation with [Johnson and Trebon] early in the race. I'll definitely try and do that tomorrow, because once you get a little taste. It would be good to keep the other local smokey honest, too. It's awesome to be on the podium, and I didn't expect this at all.”

Will the “other local smokey” to which Craig was referring be back for another taste of the winner's step on Sunday? Trebon wouldn't make any predictions.

“Tomorrow is a different day,” he said.

Full results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Ryan Trebon (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld1:01:21
2Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld0:00:01
3Adam Craig (USA) Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team0:00:54
4Daniel Summerhill (USA) Chipotle-First Solar Development Team0:00:58
5Zach McDonald (USA) Rapha-Focus0:01:01
6Yannick Eckmann (Ger) Cal Giant Berry Farms/SpecializedRow 5 - Cell 2
7James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld0:01:02
8Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh-Clement0:01:16
9Todd Wells (USA) Specialized0:01:36
10Justin Lindine (USA) RedlineRow 9 - Cell 2
11Allen Krughoff (USA) Raleigh-Clement0:01:49
12Tristan Schouten (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:02:01
13Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Rox Racing0:02:41
14Brian Matter (USA) RACC p/b Geargrinder0:02:55
15Spencer Paxson (USA) Kona0:02:58
16Alex Candelario (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:03:05
17Sean Babcock (USA) KonaRow 16 - Cell 2
18Cody Kaiser (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized0:03:37
19Mitchell Hoke (USA) Team Clif Bar0:03:53
20Barry Wicks (USA) Kona0:03:54
21Troy Wells (USA) Team Clif BarRow 20 - Cell 2
22Matt Shriver (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective0:03:57
23Chris Jackson (USA) Castex Racing p/b Felt0:04:07
24Jake Wells (USA) No Tubes Elite Cross Team0:04:09
25Kevin Noiles (Can) cyclocrossracing.com0:04:16
26Aaron Schooler (Can) Norco Bicycles - SRI Importing0:04:20
27Tobin Ortenblad (USA) California Giant0:04:21
28Craig Richey (Can) SponsorConnected.com p/b Ridley Bikes0:04:25
29Brennan Wodtli (USA) All Access Racing0:04:32
30Zane Godby (USA) enCompass Racing0:04:50
31Braden Kappius (USA) Team Clif Bar0:04:57
32Mike Sherer (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:05:01
33Mark McConnell (Can) Synergy Racing0:05:07
34Eric Tonkin (USA) Kona/Team S&M0:05:15
35Kevin Bradford-Parish (USA) Cyclocrossracing.com0:05:27
36Eric Thompson (USA) Plan C p/b Challenge Tires0:05:30
37Mike Van Den Ham (Can) Cycle-Smart0:05:32
38Gian Dalle Angelini (USA) Don Walker Cycles0:05:33
39Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona0:06:25
40 (-2 laps)Patrick Means (USA) Team S&MRow 39 - Cell 2
41Chris Brandt (USA) Honey Stinger/BontragerRow 40 - Cell 2
42Aaron Bradford (USA) Bicyle Blue Book/HRS/Rock Lobster CyclesRow 41 - Cell 2
43Paul Lacava (USA) Giant BicyclesRow 42 - Cell 2
44Damian Schmitt (USA) Silverado Gallery/Sunnyside SpoRow 43 - Cell 2
45Josh Kelley (USA) Bailey Bikes SPYRow 44 - Cell 2
46Phil Grove (USA) Hammer NutritionRow 45 - Cell 2
47Benjamin Sonntag (Ger) BikeHausDurangoRow 46 - Cell 2
48Tyler Coplea (USA) BH-Hammer NutritionRow 47 - Cell 2
49Alex Work (USA) Bicycle Blue Book-HRS-Rock Lobster CyclesRow 48 - Cell 2
50Brandon Cross (USA) Cole SportRow 49 - Cell 2
51Bjorn Selander (USA) Plan C p/b Challenge TiresRow 50 - Cell 2
52 (-3 laps)Scott Chapin (USA) Bicycle Blue Book-HRS-Rock Lobster CyclesRow 51 - Cell 2
53Bjorn Fox (USA) Clif Bar Development Cross TeamRow 52 - Cell 2
54Kolby Preble (USA) Hammer Nutrition-CMG Racing TeamRow 53 - Cell 2
55 (-4 laps)James Williams (USA) Adventures EdgeRow 54 - Cell 2
56Erik Hamilton (USA) University BicyclesRow 55 - Cell 2
57Sean Leader (USA) CycleWorksRow 56 - Cell 2
58 (-5 laps)Nathan Brown (USA) Superfly CyclesRow 57 - Cell 2
59Brent Gorman (USA) Volkswagen BoiseRow 58 - Cell 2
60Donald Reeb (USA) Cyclocrossracing.com p/b BlueRow 59 - Cell 2
61Chris Thibodeau (USA) SHO-AIR/S.E.R.T./ T.O.N.CRow 60 - Cell 2
62Kendal Johnson (USA) Team Rambuski LawRow 61 - Cell 2
63Drew Mackenzie (Can) Condo Group/Shimano/MarinRow 62 - Cell 2
DNFChristopher Jones (USA) Rapha-FocusRow 63 - Cell 2
DNFShawn Milne (USA) Cyclocrossworld.comRow 64 - Cell 2
DNFShaun Adamson (Can) Velocity Cycling ClubRow 65 - Cell 2
DNFChris Sheppard (Can) Rocky Mountain BicyclesRow 66 - Cell 2
DNSJason Siegle (USA) SDG/Felt p/b IRT WheelsRow 67 - Cell 2
DNSGraham Howard (USA)Row 68 - Cell 2
DNSDavid Reyes (USA) SRAM FactoryRow 69 - Cell 2
DNSLuke Haley (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross TeamRow 70 - Cell 2

Final USGP Series Standings - Elite Men

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Jeremy Powers (USA) Rapha-Focus284pts
2Ryan Trebon (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld233Row 1 - Cell 3
3Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld192Row 2 - Cell 3
4Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh-Clement192Row 3 - Cell 3
5Christopher Jones (USA) Rapha-Focus144Row 4 - Cell 3
6Daniel Summerhill (USA) Chipotle-First Solar Development Team136Row 5 - Cell 3
7James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld119Row 6 - Cell 3
8Yannick Eckmann (Ger) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized91Row 7 - Cell 3
9Tristan Schouten (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies86Row 8 - Cell 3
10Lukas Flückiger (Swi) Trek World Racing84Row 9 - Cell 3
11Adam Craig (USA) Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team74Row 10 - Cell 3
12Brian Matter (USA) RACC p/b Geargrinder70Row 11 - Cell 3
13Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Rox Racing68Row 12 - Cell 3
14Zach McDonald (USA) Rapha-Focus67Row 13 - Cell 3
15Justin Lindine (USA) Redline39Row 14 - Cell 3
16Evan McNeely (Can) Specialized Canada39Row 15 - Cell 3
17Jonathan Page (USA)37Row 16 - Cell 3
18Allen Krughoff (USA) Raleigh-Clement33Row 17 - Cell 3
19Mitchell Hoke (USA) Team Clif Bar28Row 18 - Cell 3
20Matt Shriver (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective24Row 19 - Cell 3
21Adam Craig (USA) Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team22Row 20 - Cell 3
22Alex Candelario (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies16Row 21 - Cell 3
23Spencer Paxson (USA) Kona15Row 22 - Cell 3
24Todd Wells (USA) Specialized14Row 23 - Cell 3
25Barry Wicks (USA) Kona14Row 24 - Cell 3
26Troy Wells (USA) Team Clif Bar12Row 25 - Cell 3
27Bradley White (USA) Moms in Tow Cyclocross12Row 26 - Cell 3
28Dan Timmerman (USA) Richard Sachs - RGM Watches - Radix9Row 27 - Cell 3
29Cody Kaiser (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized8Row 28 - Cell 3
30Travis Livermon (USA) Mock Orange Bikes8Row 29 - Cell 3
31Joshua Johnson (USA) Bissell-ABG-Nuvo7Row 30 - Cell 3
32Jake Wells (USA) No Tubes Elite Cross Team7Row 31 - Cell 3
33Isaac Neff (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective7Row 32 - Cell 3
34Bryan Fawley (USA) Dallas Bike Works7Row 33 - Cell 3
35Russell Finsterwald (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective6Row 34 - Cell 3
36Lukas Winterberg (Swi) Team Müller Gartengestaltung/BH Bikes6Row 35 - Cell 3
37Alex Candelario (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies5Row 36 - Cell 3
38Jesse Anthony (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies5Row 37 - Cell 3
39Sean Babcock (USA) Kona4Row 38 - Cell 3
40Tim Allen (USA) Feedback Sports3Row 39 - Cell 3
41Corey Stelljes (USA) Cyclocrossracing.com3Row 40 - Cell 3
42Shawn Milne (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com2Row 41 - Cell 3
43Chris Jackson (USA) Castex Racing p/b Felt1Row 42 - Cell 3
44Adam Morka (Can)1Row 43 - Cell 3
45Keegan Swenson (USA) Cannondale Factory Racing1Row 44 - Cell 3
46Mitchell Kersting (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross Team1Row 45 - Cell 3

Final USGP Series Standings - U23 Men

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Yannick Eckmann (Ger) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized300pts
2Evan McNeely (Can) Specialized Canada217Row 1 - Cell 3
3Zach McDonald (USA) Rapha-Focus200Row 2 - Cell 3
4Cody Kaiser (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized181Row 3 - Cell 3
5Tobin Ortenblad (USA) California Giant158Row 4 - Cell 3
6Russell Finsterwald (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective120Row 5 - Cell 3
7Joshua Johnson (USA) Bissell-ABG-Nuvo90Row 6 - Cell 3
8Jeffrey Bahnson (USA) Van Dessel Factory Team77Row 7 - Cell 3
9Zane Godby (USA) enCompass Racing65Row 8 - Cell 3
10Kevin Fish (USA) KCCX/Fuji p/b Challenge Tires63Row 9 - Cell 3
11Keegan Swenson (USA) Cannondale Factory Racing62Row 10 - Cell 3
12Andrew Dillman (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross Team40Row 11 - Cell 3
13Jesse Goodrich (USA) Evol Elite Racing40Row 12 - Cell 3
14Daniel Gerow (USA) Wolverine Racing Elite CX38Row 13 - Cell 3
15Robin Eckmann (Ger) Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized36Row 14 - Cell 3
16Luke Haley (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross Team32Row 15 - Cell 3
17Adam Morka (Can)30Row 16 - Cell 3
18Tyler Coplea (USA) BH-Hammer Nutrition29Row 17 - Cell 3
19Skyler Trujillo (USA) Boo Bikes29Row 18 - Cell 3
20Kolby Preble (USA) Hammer Nutrition-CMG Racing Team25Row 19 - Cell 3
21Mike Van Den Ham (Can) Cycle-Smart23Row 20 - Cell 3
22Kerry Werner Jr. (USA) BMC U23 Development Team22Row 21 - Cell 3
23Bjorn Fox (USA) Clif Bar Development Cross Team17Row 22 - Cell 3
24Joseph Maloney (USA) KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin17Row 23 - Cell 3
25Dean Haas (USA) Team Specialized Racing Juniors16Row 24 - Cell 3
26Michael Sampson (USA) Team Alpine Clinic / POC15Row 25 - Cell 3
27Chase Dickens (USA) American Classic Pro Cyclocross Team14Row 26 - Cell 3
28Adam York (USA) Cleveland Clinic Sports Health14Row 27 - Cell 3
29Lewis Gaffney (USA) Team FITaos13Row 28 - Cell 3
30Kendal Johnson (USA) Team Rambuski Law12Row 29 - Cell 3
31Richard Cypress Gorry (USA) Whole Athlete-Specialized11Row 30 - Cell 3
32Connor Wilson (Can) Juventus Cycling Club11Row 31 - Cell 3
33Jesse Rients (USA) KUHL10Row 32 - Cell 3
34Tom Burke (USA) Lathrup Industries/Giant Bicycles9Row 33 - Cell 3
35Matt Lyons (USA) Primal 1st Bank8Row 34 - Cell 3
36Johnathan Freter (USA) Don Walker Cycles Racing4Row 35 - Cell 3
37Zeb King (USA) MOB p/b Ridley4Row 36 - Cell 3

 

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

Growing up in Missoula, Montana, Pat competed in his first bike race in 1985 at Flathead Lake. He studied English and journalism at the University of Oregon and has covered North American cycling extensively since 2009, as well as racing and teams in Europe and South America. Pat currently lives in the US outside of Portland, Oregon, with his imaginary dog Rusty.

Latest on Cyclingnews