Gould takes cross country win over Batty

Georgia Gould (Luna) rode another of her patented "solo time trials" to extend her lead in USA Cycling's US Pro XCT series. Emily Batty (Subaru Trek), who recently celebrated her 23rd birthday, rode uncontested for second place. Lea Davison (Specialized) continued her solid season by taking third place. Heather Irmiger (Subaru Trek) was fourth, and Kelli Emmett (Team Giant) was fifth.

The race was contested at Mt. Morris, a small ski area situated about 90 minutes east of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The course is very twisty with many short steep climbs. Riders were treated to a trip through the lush, green "Fern Gulch" once per lap.

Heather Irmiger claimed the hole-shot and led the elite women up the first long climb. But Gould entered the descent first and never looked back from that point on.

"This is a great fun course," said Gould. "Some days you can't get out of your own way and some days you're on it. Today was a day that I was on it. It was Rock Star Day."

Batty and Davison quickly became the only chasers that seemed to have any chance of reeling in Gould. "Georgia set a wicked pace out there," said Batty. However, within one lap, Gould had a one-minute lead and extended it from that point on.

In a bizarre coincidences, three of the front row women raced with casts on their left hands due to thumb injuries. Davison, Irmiger, and Chloe Forsman (BMC Development) all sported almost identical casts. The three posed for some photos after the race.

Judy Freeman (Kenda Felt) put in an impressive ride and finished sixth. Krista Park (NoTubes Cannondale), who has been busy overseas racing World Cups this season, finished seventh. Kathy Sherwin (NoTubes) rode solidly for an eighth place finish.

Mexico sent its national team of 10 riders to the Subaru Cup. The highest place woman was Laura Lorenza Morfin in 10th place.

Racers gave the course high marks. "This is the funnest course ever. It is the closest US race to the course in Ontario, Canada," said Batty.

"It was the best crowd ever even with the hecklers," said Gould. "The whole course is World Cup caliber. There's plenty of passing, plenty of technical challenges, and plenty of fans. I think this might be my favorite course."

Full Results