Nash dashes to weekend double

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Katerina Nash (Team Luna) soloed into her second consecutive US Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross round victory at the Mercer Cup presented by My Laps. Her win at the series’ sixth round didn’t come without a fight from the United States of America Under 23 Cyclo-Cross Champion Amy Dombroski (Primus Mootry) who placed second. United States of America Road Champion Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) enjoyed another day on the podium in third place.

“I was pretty tired but I think it was the same for everybody,” Nash said. “We had two days in a row and so we’ve got to do two days in a row. I started and went really hard and had a couple of problems compared to the day before. Amy went with me and pushed the pace pretty hard. I was enjoying all the spectators out here in the switchback, so that was great.”

Nash’s double victory weekend furthered her lead in the USGP series standings. The series moves on to its final two rounds in Portland, Oregon on December 5 and 6.

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Dombroski gives Nash a run for her money

Some 35 elite women took part in the 40-minute cyclo-cross race held at the Mercer County Park. Warm temperature dried up much of the water left behind by hurricane Ida, causing the mud to thicken and the ruts to stiffen.

Legendary road cyclist Laura Van Gilder (C3 Sollay-Athletes Serving Athletes) used her renowned sprint to get to the front first and take the hole shot. Canadian Cyclo-cross Champion Alison Sydor (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) took over the lead by using her strong technical skills to maneuver through the off-camber twists and turns on the first half lap.

Nash took control of the race by the end of the first lap and opened up a 15-second gap on the shattered line of cyclo-crossers. Unlike the previous day, which saw Nash ride away solo with the win, pint-sized Dombroski broke away from a chase group in pursuit of the leader.

“When I was there I was trying to conserve and follow her line,” said Dombroski, who earned the day’s most aggressive rider award. “I tried to do what Katerina does. “She’s got the pistol and the trigger finger. I was trying to stick on her wheel for as long as I could, I did what I could. I tried to make sure that I was right with her when we got to the straight away so that I could get as much rest as possible.”

The crowds went wild when Dombroski made contact with Nash on the second lap and sat behind her in an attempt to catch her breath. However Nash put in one strong effort and powered away from Dombroski through the thick mud.

“She’s just really smooth and I couldn’t ride some of the lines that she was riding and accelerate as hard as she was accelerating,” said Dombroski. “I think my fitness is still coming, but she is awesome. It’s always great following someone who is better than you and see where they are gaining their advantage.”

Nash regained a 20-second advantage and held it all the way to the finish line. Dombroski continued to press on and did not lose any additional time to Nash on the last two laps. “Yesterday nothing seemed spot on right,” said Dombroski. “I had a good start but I kept bobbling. Today everything felt a bit snappier. I had a great warm-up this morning and great pit help, everything went smooth today.”

Georgia Gould (Team Luna) followed the two leaders by riding in third place for most of the race. Much like the previous day, Miller used her powerful road fitness to catch and pass Alison Dunlap (Team Luna) in pursuit of Gould. This time however Miller caught and proceeded to pass Gould on the third lap.

“When I caught Gould I was going to sit on her for a while but I kept thinking that I could go faster than this, so I came around her,” Miller said. “I put my head down and took my chances and went as hard as I could and it worked.”

Both Gould and Dunlap finished the race in fourth and fifth place respectively. Both mountain bikers displayed their strength through the new technical sections that were not included in the course design the previous day.

Sydor, who drifted back following the first lap, founder herself in good company with Van Gilder, Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing-Seven Cycles), Kari Studley (Velo Bella) and the young Kaitlin Antonneau (Planet Bike). Sydor attacked her chase group with half a lap to go to secure sixth place.

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