Briton Wyman victorious in American debut

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British National Champion Helen Wyman (KONA) made her mark on the American 'cross scene with a debut victory at the Star Crossed held in Seattle, Washington. Last year's winner Sue Butler (Monvaie-Cannondale) attacked her two powerhouse chase companions to earn herself a second place.

Late-race rain turned the velodrome tarmac into a skating rink star mountain bikers Canadian Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountains-Maxxis) and American Alison Dunlap (Luna Chix) to crash as the entered the oval.

Dunlap was the first to pick herself up and cross the line for third ahead of Sydor who had to settle for fourth.

Marymoor Velodrome hosted the start and finish of the Star Crossed event and the crowds gathered went wild at the star-studded call-ups for the pro-elite women's field sponsored by Herriott Sports Performance. Names like Butler, Sydor, Wyman and the most prized was the call up for six-time national champion, Alison Dunlap who came out of retirement to compete in the 2009 US cyclo-cross season.

Wyman used her good start position and technical prowess to nab the hole shot out of the velodrome and onto the grass and shoots herself up the steep run-up with a small advantage. The expected faces of Sydor, Dunlap and Butler kept Wyman in sight however, before the end of the first lap she gained a ten-second lead that grew to a monstrous 18 seconds the next time around.

Mid-way through the race the rain started to pour on the women's circuit bringing the mud and slick corners into play, things that favoured riders like Dunlap and Sydor who are world-renowned for their excellent technical skills from their mountain bike days.

As the laps went on Wyman continued her strong hold over the race and built her lead to an astonishing 30 seconds. Dunlap had to do the majority of the chasing as Sydor sat on her wheel and Butler yo-yoed slightly off the back of their quick pace. Dunlap was a bit of a dark horse entering the first cyclo-cross race of the season straight out of retirement, all the more reason for the others to tire her out a little before the final laps.

Wyman slid out with three laps to go likely caused by the wet and slippery conditions. Her late-race tumble allowed the three chasers to close in, but it was not enough. Wyman picked herself up and continued on with a near 20-second lead that rose back up to 30-seconds as she rode her way into a victory salute ahead of Butler, Dunlap and Sydor.

Wendy Williams (Hudz-Subaru) led a second chase group in close proximity of the star-studded trio following Wyman. Her chase companions included teammate Emily Van Meter and Kari Studley (Velo Bella). However, as the race went on the two respective chase groups continued to battle amongst themselves in a bid to gain precious ground before the last lap. In the end it was Studley who rode in for fifth place.