Todd Wells (Specialized) on the steepest run-up.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Todd Wells (Specialized) wins in a sprint against Jeremy Powers.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Todd Wells (Specialized) riding a downhill U-Turn.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) followed by Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and Todd Wells (Specialized).(Image credit: Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com)
Todd Wells (Specialized) outsprints Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) for the win.(Image credit: Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com)
Erik Tonkin (Kona-FSA) is a fan favourite in Portland.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
US national champion Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) was a favourite today.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld) leading the race at the run-up.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Danny Summerhill (Garmin) on his way to a U23 win(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
The Portland fans can be counted on to provide some entertainment.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
T.J Woodriff (Pioneer Racing) running the big hill.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Danny Summerhill (Garmin) cornering.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Jesse Anthony (Team Jamis) riding in the top ten.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Troy Wells (Cliff Bar) riding with the chasers.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) rode with the leaders for much of the race.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld) spent the race with the chasers as he missed the break.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocross) uncharacteristically was not with the leaders today.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) leads the race through the whoops.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) with Powers and Kabush trying to stay in contact.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocross) reaching the top of the hill.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) with a select group drafting behind him.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) on a high speed fire road.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) trying to drop Todd Wells (Specialized).(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocross) rolling into the finish after losing to Wells.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Jerome Townsend (Bikereg.com) putting in a U23 podium ride.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Todd Wells leads Jeremy Powers, Ryan Trebon and Geoff Kabush up only run-up on course.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Tim Johnson struggled all day.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
A very happy Todd Wells with wife Meghan.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
The men's start shows that Ryan Trebon did not get the hole shot.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
The barriers were crowded for racers and spectators alike.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Fans in Portland take this seriously.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Ryan Trebon couldn't keep things pointed forward at times - like in this tricky section.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Ryan Trebon unclips for the barriers far earlier than Todd Wells.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Todd Wells runs this section with barriers.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Todd Wells wins the sprint over Jeremy Powers(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Todd Wells, Ryan Trebon and Jeremy Powers are lost in thought following race and before being called to podium.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Todd Wells greets the crowd.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)
Peaking just in time for the US National Championships next week, Todd Wells (Specialized) held off Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) for the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGP) win in Portland, Oregon. Powers, who appeared to have been dropped more than once, kept battling back and finished second. Ryan Trebon (Kona/FSA), who led much of the race, had to settle for third.
Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) got the hole shot but was passed by Trebon in the flat, grassy field prior to the motocross section. With the course much drier than in years past, Trebon was able to generate tremendous speed that put the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com duo of Tim Johnson and Jamey Driscoll on the defensive.
Powers got by Trebon on the first run-up, followed by Kabush, Chris Jones (Champion Systems), Barry Wicks (Kona) and Wells. By the third lap, Driscoll and Johnson joined Jones to form a chase group.
Trebon, Powers, Kabush, and Wells rode in formation until five laps to go when Todd Wells attacked. Only Trebon could respond, and it appeared that the race would be settled between the two of them. Powers was about five seconds back, and Kabush was out of contention.
"I had a bad lap and two bobbles" explained Powers. "I flogged myself to get back to them." Soon after, Powers rejoined the leaders, Trebon had his own problems and lost contact with Powers and Wells.
"I thought he (Powers) was gone because Ryan pulled so hard on the pavement," said Wells, "but he came back, and I dropped him again. I gave it everything and he still came back. I thought I might get him in the technical sections but I couldn't hold him off on the road sections."
Wells came onto the final stretch of pavement with a three-bike-length lead. Powers, an accomplished road racer, closed the gap but came up short. "I may have mistimed it a bit," said Powers after the race. "Todd's riding really well, and it's a warning shot for everyone going to nationals."
Trebon retained the USGP leader's jersey and will defend it again on Sunday.
Results
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#
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Todd Wells (USA)
1:00:59
2
Jeremy Powers (USA)
0:00:01
3
Ryan Trebon (USA)
0:00:44
4
Timothy Johnson (USA)
0:01:05
5
James Driscoll (USA)
Row 4 - Cell 2
6
Christopher Jones (USA)
0:01:13
7
Daniel Summerhill (USA)
0:01:58
8
Geoff Kabush (Can)
Row 7 - Cell 2
9
Barry Wicks (USA)
0:02:34
10
Zach Mc Donald (USA)
Row 9 - Cell 2
11
Adam Craig (USA)
0:02:51
12
Chris Sheppard (Can)
Row 11 - Cell 2
13
Troy Wells (USA)
0:03:55
14
Jerome Townsend (USA)
0:04:01
15
Justin Robinson (USA)
Row 14 - Cell 2
16
Carl Decker (USA)
Row 15 - Cell 2
17
Adam Mcgrath (USA)
Row 16 - Cell 2
18
David Hackworth (USA)
0:04:08
19
Tyler Trace (Can)
0:04:39
20
Jeremy Ferguson (USA)
0:05:39
21
Eric Tonkin (USA)
0:05:40
22
Steve Fisher (USA)
Row 21 - Cell 2
23
Chance Noble (USA)
Row 22 - Cell 2
24
Sean Babcock (USA)
0:05:50
25
Spencer Paxson (USA)
0:05:53
26
Brady Kappius (USA)
0:06:06
27
Troy Heithecker (USA)
0:06:09
28
Kevin Hulick (USA)
0:06:19
29
Jesse Anthony (USA)
Row 28 - Cell 2
30
John Bailey (USA)
0:06:38
31
Ben Popper (USA)
0:06:42
32
Kevin Bradford-Parish (USA)
0:06:53
33
Eric Emsky (USA)
0:07:08
34
Molly Cameron (USA)
0:07:15
35
Nathan Bannerman (USA)
0:07:17
36
Ryan Iddings (USA)
0:07:42
37
Nicholas Weighall (USA)
0:07:48
38
Ryan Knapp (USA)
0:07:52
39
Donald Reeb (USA)
Row 38 - Cell 2
40
Brett Luelling (USA)
Row 39 - Cell 2
41
Jason First (USA)
Row 40 - Cell 2
42
Carson Miller (USA)
Row 41 - Cell 2
43
Ryan Leach (USA)
Row 42 - Cell 2
44
John Curry (USA)
Row 43 - Cell 2
45
Travis Woodruff (USA)
Row 44 - Cell 2
46
John Flack (USA)
Row 45 - Cell 2
47
Evan Plews (USA)
Row 46 - Cell 2
48
Joshua Berry (USA)
Row 47 - Cell 2
50
Ryan Weaver (USA)
Row 48 - Cell 2
51
Shannon Skeritt (USA)
Row 49 - Cell 2
52
Jonathan Sundt (USA)
Row 50 - Cell 2
53
William Ross (USA)
Row 51 - Cell 2
54
Mitchell Peterson (USA)
Row 52 - Cell 2
55
Carl Hesselein (USA)
Row 53 - Cell 2
56
Chris Brandt (USA)
Row 54 - Cell 2
57
Michael Hemme (USA)
Row 55 - Cell 2
58
Craig Fowler (USA)
Row 56 - Cell 2
59
Landon Ericksson (USA)
Row 57 - Cell 2
60
Benjamin Kubas (USA)
Row 58 - Cell 2
61
Zachary Edwards (USA)
Row 59 - Cell 2
62
Katriel Statman (USA)
Row 60 - Cell 2
63
Nick Berry (Can)
Row 61 - Cell 2
64
Christopher Ragusa (USA)
Row 62 - Cell 2
65
Matthew Fox (USA)
Row 63 - Cell 2
66
Kris Holden (USA)
Row 64 - Cell 2
67
Christopher Hill (USA)
Row 65 - Cell 2
68
Adam Mills (USA)
Row 66 - Cell 2
69
Kyle Murphy (USA)
Row 67 - Cell 2
Videos: Todd Wells at USGP #7
Cyclingnews spent the day with the Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Team) at Saturday's opening round of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Portland, Oregon and produced two videos.
Wells' first video provides insight into his pre-race rituals prior to earning his biggest 'cross victory of the season later that day.
Along with race footage of Wells' dual with Jeremy Powers, the second video provides pre-race and post-race commentary from his USGP triumph.
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