McConneloug adds yet another victory

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Smith gets Van Gilder by over a minute

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Mary McConneloug fights off Andrea Smith for another victory and a New England Verge Title.(Image credit: Paul Weiss)

Dry skies with bright sunshine, temperatures in the high 30s and a soft breeze in off the bay were ideal conditions for this classic season ending race. At the end of the day, Mary McConneloug (Kenda / Seven / No Tubes) came away with a race finale win and a series win in the 2009 Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series.

In contrast to yesterday's course, today racers met the beach twice including once at the beginning of a run-up. Also reintroduced from last year was a section of course affectionately known as "the gut" which is a series of 180-degree turns with soft, sandy corners and plenty of roots.

The elite women's race broke up quickly from the gun, with a two-woman lead group of Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) and McConneloug. Behind them were Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes), Anna Barensfeld (Minuteman Road Club) and Gesa Bruechmann (Stevens Racing). While Smith and McConneloug were matching each other move for move, Van Gilder shed Barensfeld who, in turn, shed Bruechmann. It was not until the final lap that McConneloug was able to make a decisive move on Smith, opening a gap just large enough to cruise through the finish line and relish her sixth consecutive victory.

With her victory, McConneloug took the overall series victory for the first time since 2004. Smith's second place gave her a final series placing of third, behind the absent Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing). Also absent was Natasha Elliott (Garneau/Club Chaussure/Ogilvy) whose great early season gave her fourth overall. Fifth in the series and eleventh for the day was Amanda Carey (Kenda/trainwitheric.com).

Results

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Elite Women
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Mary McConneloug (KENDA-Seven-NoTubes)0:42:43
2Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club)0:00:09
3Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes)0:01:21
4Anna Barensfeld (Minuteman Road Club)0:01:34
5Gesa Bruechmann (Stevens Racing Team)0:02:12
6Anna Milkowski (BikeReg.com / Joe's Garage / IF)0:02:21
7Linnea Koons (October Factory Racing)0:02:26
8Ann D'ambruoso (Minuteman Road Club)0:02:48
9Sally Annis (Hub Racing)0:03:10
10Rebecca Blatt (US Army/ Central Wheel)Row 9 - Cell 2
11Amanda Carey (Kenda/Trainwitheric.com)0:03:20
12Christina Tamilio (Minuteman Road Club)0:03:24
13Perri Mertens (Embrocation Cycling Journal / Mad Alchemy)0:03:28
14Crystal Anthony (Minuteman Road Club)0:04:07
15Emma Bast (Cycle-Smart / NCC)0:04:18
16Frances Morrison (Cycle-Smart/NCC)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Natalia Gardiol (Cambridge Bicycle / Igleheart Frames)0:05:37
18Bryna Nestor (Anthem Sports)0:05:42
19Sara Cushman (Gearworks/Spinarts)0:05:53
20Emily Curry (Joe's Garage)0:06:23
21Lesley Chown (Handlebars CC)0:08:27
22Allison Snooks (Minuteman Road Club)0:09:14
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Overall Series
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Mary Mcconneloug (Kenda-Seven-Notubes)550pts
2Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles)524Row 1 - Cell 3
3Andrea Smith (Minuteman Roadclub)465Row 2 - Cell 3
4Natasha Elliott (Garneau Club Chaussure Ogilvy)415Row 3 - Cell 3
5Amanda Carey (Kenda/Trainwitheric.com)373Row 4 - Cell 3

 

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