Powers sprints to win

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Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), assisted ably by teammate Tim Johnson, won the final round the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGP) in Portland. Todd Wells (Specialized) rode an incredibly strong race, but took second place as Cannondale had two riders in the break.

Johnson, acting as team captain, sacrificed himself to assure Powers' win and crossed the line in third wearing a big grin.

Clouds rolled in just before the elite men's race, making a frigid day seem even more so. With a less technical course today plus faster conditions, nearly every race pundit seemed to be predicting a different winner. It was expected that Kona-FSA's Ryan Trebon who to no avail had done much of the work on Saturday, would be eager to go for the win.

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Powers took the hole shot, closely followed by Troy Wells. Trebon seemed to have a poor start, and had to expend some major energy getting back near the front. Todd Wells took the lead on the back side of the course and was first over the barriers.

A lead group eventually formed that included Wells, Powers, and Johnson. After three laps, Trebon and Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) were 150 metres behind the leaders and not closing it down much.

It seemed that Wells and Powers were doing most of the work at the front and as Johnson let small gaps appear others may have been thinking he was in trouble, although that certainly wasn't the case.

With two laps to go, Wells was still leading followed by Powers and Johnson. A half lap later, Johnson attacked hard and it took Wells some time to respond. Wells then counter-attacked and opened nearly ten bike lengths. The road prowess of the Cannondale riders showed as they systematically hunted down Wells on the pavement.

With one lap to go, all three riders were together and Wells led them out for the last time. Powers, determined not to repeat his mistake of a day earlier, attacked Wells and made it to the final pavement first. While Wells made the sprint exciting, Powers easily held him off to take the victory. Johnson, his work done for the day, soft-pedaled in for third place.

Behind the leaders, Adam Craig (Giant) was moving up steadily in the field. With one lap to go, he got around Trebon and took fourth place. Trebon claimed the USGP series title after taking two wins this season.

The American racers will now head to Bend, Oregon, for the national championships. It should be noted that both Ryan Trebon and Adam Craig now call Bend their home. Cold temperatures and snow on the ground is expected to greet riders for next weekend's races.

Cyclingnews produced a series of five videos featuring Todd Wells during the USGP Portland weekend. Click here for all the video content.

Results

Videos: Todd Wells at USGP #8

Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Team) is coming into form just in time for US 'cross nationals. Cyclingnews produced three videos from the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross second day on December 6.

Wells' first video provides insight into his post-race rituals, the second video is a review of the second day of USGP racing, and the third video features comments from Wells' competitors.