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McConneloug wins Cycle-Smart International weekend opener

Elliott and Van Gilder round out podium

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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) wins the Elite women's Cycle-Smart International on Saturday.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) wins the Elite women's Cycle-Smart International on Saturday.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) is coming off a win last weekend.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) is coming off a win last weekend.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) does some jumping at the start.

Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) does some jumping at the start.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) leading up the first run-up.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) leading up the first run-up.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) on a steep run-up.

Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) on a steep run-up.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) looks like she is winning starts again.

Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) looks like she is winning starts again.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) with Elliot close behind.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) with Elliot close behind.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Series leader Mo Bruno Roy (M&M Racing/Seven Cycles) having little trouble with the sand pit.

Series leader Mo Bruno Roy (M&M Racing/Seven Cycles) having little trouble with the sand pit.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) in the sand pit.

Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) in the sand pit.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Sara Breskick_Zocci (Pedalpower coaching/Landry's) riding the sand.

Sara Breskick_Zocci (Pedalpower coaching/Landry's) riding the sand.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Anna Milkowski (Bike Reg) riding in the top ten.

Anna Milkowski (Bike Reg) riding in the top ten.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) leading McConneloug.

Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) leading McConneloug.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) sprinting up a hill.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) sprinting up a hill.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) following Elliot on the steep climb.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) following Elliot on the steep climb.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes) climbing

Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes) climbing
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) looking like a road racer.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) looking like a road racer.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) climbing out of the saddle.

Rebecca Wellons (Ridley) climbing out of the saddle.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) running the barriers behind McConneloug.

Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) running the barriers behind McConneloug.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Anna Milkowski (Bike Reg) lifting her bike high over the barriers.

Anna Milkowski (Bike Reg) lifting her bike high over the barriers.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) with a 20-second lead.

Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) with a 20-second lead.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Arielle Filiberti (Hot Tubes Development) flying over the barriers.

Arielle Filiberti (Hot Tubes Development) flying over the barriers.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Rebecca Blatt (US Army/Central Wheel) checking out the next barrier.

Rebecca Blatt (US Army/Central Wheel) checking out the next barrier.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) trying to recover from a small mistake in the sand pit.

Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy) trying to recover from a small mistake in the sand pit.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Women's Podium (L to R) Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure) 2nd, Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) 1st, Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes) 3rd.

Women's Podium (L to R) Natasha Elliot (Garneau Club Chaussure) 2nd, Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) 1st, Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes) 3rd.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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Mo Bruno-Roy (M&M Racing/Seven Cycles) retains the Verge series leader's jersey.

Mo Bruno-Roy (M&M Racing/Seven Cycles) retains the Verge series leader's jersey.
(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
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The start of the elite women's race.

The start of the elite women's race.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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Laura Van Gilder jumps over the train tracks.

Laura Van Gilder jumps over the train tracks.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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Mary McConneloug opened a gap on the first lap and never looked back.

Mary McConneloug opened a gap on the first lap and never looked back.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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Mary McConneloug in the sand pit.

Mary McConneloug in the sand pit.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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Maureen Bruno Rooy adjusts her helmet as Richard Fries calls up the rest of the elite women.

Maureen Bruno Rooy adjusts her helmet as Richard Fries calls up the rest of the elite women.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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Natasha Elliott chased Mary McConneloug all day but could not close the gap.

Natasha Elliott chased Mary McConneloug all day but could not close the gap.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)
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The women's podium (l-r): Natasha Elliott, 2nd; Mary McConneloug, 1st; Laura Van Gilder, 3rd.

The women's podium (l-r): Natasha Elliott, 2nd; Mary McConneloug, 1st; Laura Van Gilder, 3rd.
(Image credit: Paul Weiss)

Local favourite Mary McConneloug (Team Kenda/Seven/NoTubes) powered to her second victory of the season with a solo victory on Saturday in the 19th annual Cycle-Smart International. Canada's Natasha Elliott (Garneau/Club Chassure/Ogilvy) finished second, 21 seconds behind McConneloug, while Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes) crossed the line in third, 37 seconds off the pace in the ninth round of the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-cross Series.

The Elite women's race split up quickly after the gun with McConneloug and Elliott breaking away from the field on the first lap. A chase group formed behind them with Verge series leader Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles), Van Gilder, Minuteman Road Club racers Andrea Smith and Anna Barensfeld as well as Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (Pedalpowercoaching.com/Landry’s Bicycles).

McConneloug and Elliott were able to stretch their advantage on the chase group and were matching each other move for move until Elliott bobbled in the sand. McConneloug, hearing of Elliott's bobble over the loudspeaker, threw down a huge attack and held Elliott at an arm's length for the rest of the race, eventually finishing with a 21-second advantage.

Behind them, Van Gilder proved to be too strong for the chase group and soloed in for third place ahead of Bruno Roy. Barensfeld outsprinted Smith for fourth.

The Elite women race in Northampton, Massachusetts once again on Sunday in the second day of the Cycle-Smart International, round 10 of the 14-race Verge New England Championship Cyclo-cross Series.

Full results
1Mary McConneloug (USA) Team Kenda/Seven/NoTubes0:35:43
2Natasha Elliott (Can) Garneau Club Chaussure Ogilvy0:00:21
3Laura Van Gilder (USA) C3 Athletes Serving Athletes0:00:37
4Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles0:01:08
5Anna Barensfeld (USA) Minuteman Road Club0:01:44
6Andrea Smith (USA) Minuteman Road Club
7Anna Milkowski (USA) BikeReg.com/Joe's Garage/IF0:01:58
8Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedalpowercoaching.com/Landry's Bicycles0:02:05
9Rebecca Wellons (USA) Team Plan C0:02:15
10Ann D'Ambruoso (USA) Minuteman Cycling Club0:02:38
11Sally Annis (USA) Hub Racing
12Linnea Koons (USA) October Factory Racing0:03:20
13Rebecca Blatt (USA) US Army/Central Wheel0:03:33
14Karen Potter (USA) Zanconato0:03:34
15Christina Tamilio (USA) Minuteman Road Club
16Crystal Anthony (USA) Minuteman Road Club0:03:40
17Anna McLoon (USA) Altarum Women's Cycling Team0:04:05
18Arielle Filiberti (USA) Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team Inc.0:04:09
19Karin Holmes (USA) Sunapee S&W0:04:16
20Sarah Krzysiak (USA) Syracuse Bicycle/Spokepost.com0:04:52
21Beth Mason (USA) Verge Sport - Test Pilot0:05:02
22Natalia Gardiol (USA) Cambridge Bicycle0:05:03
23Marilyn Ruseckas (USA) Seven Cycles0:05:13
24Michelle Kersbergen (USA) Joe's Garage0:05:38
25Carmen Labbe (Can) POLAR Canada0:05:52
26Allison Snooks (USA) Minuteman Road Club0:06:16
27Mary Lynn Hadix (USA) CVC/Subaru of New England0:07:53
LappedCallie Gordon (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com
DNFAnna Young (USA) Pioneer Racing
DNSEmily Curry (USA) Joe's Garage

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