Powers sprints to win

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.

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

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Elite men
1Jeremy Powers (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com1:01:18
2Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Factory RacingRow 1 - Cell 2
3Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.comRow 2 - Cell 2
4Adam Craig (USA) Giant MTB Team0:01:12
5Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona-FSA0:01:24
6Geoff Kabush (Can) Maxxis/Rocky Mountain0:01:54
7James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com0:02:15
8Christopher Jones (USA) Champion System0:02:35
9Daniel Summerhill (USA) Felt-VMG U230:02:53
10Troy Wells (USA) Team SpecializedRow 9 - Cell 2
11Justin Robinson (USA) California Giant Berry Farms/SpecializedRow 10 - Cell 2
12Barry Wicks (USA) Kona-FSA0:03:28
13Chris Sheppard (Can) Santa Cruz/Shimano/WTB/Giro0:03:35
14Jerome Townsend (USA) Bikereg.com/Joe's Garage/IF0:03:43
15Chance Noble (USA) California Giant Berry Farms/SpecializedRow 14 - Cell 2
16Carl Decker (USA) Giant MTB TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Adam Mcgrath (USA)0:04:25
18Erik Tonkin (USA) Kona-FSA0:04:30
19Benjamin Kubas (USA)0:05:18
20Benjamin Thompson (USA)0:05:44
21Brady Kappius (USA)0:05:46
22Ryan Knapp (USA) Bikereg.com0:05:47
23Brett Luelling (USA)0:05:48
24Craig Fowler (USA)0:06:09
25David Hackworth (USA)0:06:17
26Molly Cameron (USA) Portland Bicycle Studio0:06:22
27Donald Reeb (USA)0:06:43
28Eric Emsky (USA)0:06:48
29Eric Sheagley (USA)0:07:10
30Evan Plews (USA)Row 29 - Cell 2
31Jeremy Ferguson (USA)Row 30 - Cell 2
32John Flack (USA)Row 31 - Cell 2
33Joshua Berry (USA)Row 32 - Cell 2
34Benjamin Popper (USA) HRS/Rock LobsterRow 33 - Cell 2
35Katriel Statman (USA)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Spencer Paxson (USA) Team S&M Young GunsRow 35 - Cell 2
37Kevin Bradford-Parish (USA)Row 36 - Cell 2
38Kevin Hulick (USA)Row 37 - Cell 2
39Kris Holden (USA)Row 38 - Cell 2
40Kyle Murphy (USA)Row 39 - Cell 2
41Landon Ericksson (USA)Row 40 - Cell 2
42Carson Miller (USA) Landrover-Orbea Cycling ClubRow 41 - Cell 2
43Matthew Fox (USA)Row 42 - Cell 2
44John Behrens (USA) Bailey BikesRow 43 - Cell 2
45Michael Hemme (USA)Row 44 - Cell 2
46Mitchell Peterson (USA) Monaviecannondale.comRow 45 - Cell 2
47Nathan Bannerman (USA)Row 46 - Cell 2
48Ryan Weaver (USA)Row 47 - Cell 2
49Sean Babcock (USA)Row 48 - Cell 2
50Shannon Skeritt (USA)Row 49 - Cell 2
51Adam Mills (USA) KCCX-VergeRow 50 - Cell 2
52Steve Fisher (USA)Row 51 - Cell 2
53Travis Woodruff (USA)Row 52 - Cell 2
54Troy Heithecker (USA)Row 53 - Cell 2
55Christopher Ragusa (USA) CCB VolkswagenRow 54 - Cell 2
56Will Ross (USA)Row 55 - Cell 2
57Zachary Edwards (USA)Row 56 - Cell 2
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Final USGP rankings
1Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona-FSA
2Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com
3James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com

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.

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