Powers beats Berden at opening Jingle Cross Rock race

Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) and Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) separated from the pack early at The Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock race on Friday night, creating a two up battle that would go down to the last half lap of the race. Powers then took advantage of a small gap he created through one of the course's technical features to win his second race in seven days. Ryan Trebon did not race due to illness.

“It was nice to get off the front, get out of trouble, and have a little battle between Ben and I. I felt like I was in control of the race for the whole time. And that’s something I’ve been working on the last two weeks,” Powers said.

Friday night’s course passed over several technical sections including a row of logs, two sandy bullpens, and a steep slope, named Mt. Krumpit, that collected a legion of spectators.

Ben Berden got the race off to a fast start, but was overtaken by Tobin Ortenblad (California Giant – Specialized) who led the race the entire first lap. After getting used to the course, Berden started attacking, which spurred Jeremy Powers into action. The two quickly established a significant gap on the field.

Jeremy Durrin (Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies) briefly joined the duo but Powers and Berden pressed hard on the hill, dropped Durrin, and proceeded to grow their lead on the chasers. Lap after lap, Berden and Powers traded the lead, neither able to find a decisive weakness in the other.

“We were evenly matched,” said Powers. “I felt like I had a little bit of an advantage in the corners, and then Ben is so good in the sand that was hard.”

As Berden and Powers solidified their lead, the race for third place was shaping up. The main chase group, which included Jamie Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement), Robert Marion (American Classic Pro CX Team), Brian Matter (RACC/Trek CXC) and Shawn Milne (Keough Cyclocross-Felt), sat about 25 seconds behind the leaders. After missing the winning break due to a bauble on Mt. Krumpit, Driscoll shot out of the chase group, and into third place, with two laps to go.

“I was able to recoup myself, and then hit it when it counted in the last lap or two,” said Driscoll.

On the last lap, Berden and Powers remained attached until the two riders entered the sandy bullpen section of the course. Powers emerged with a slight advantage and grew his lead by another few seconds during the final twists and turns.

“With a half lap to go, he just went two miles faster than me,” said Berden. “I had to let him go.”

Powers won, and Berden followed in for second. Berden’s teammate, Jamie Driscoll, finished third, Brian Matter finished fourth, and Robert Marion finished fifth.

Day two of racing at Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock continues on Saturday, November 16th when the Elite men take the line at 2:45 CST. With rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday, riders are eagerly looking forward to the first muddy races of the year.