Johnson doubles up

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The second race in the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series presented by Cycle Smart saw a repeat of Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com)'s domination while Andrea Smith (Ladies First) took her first ever UCI win.

The Elite Men's race was almost a carbon copy of yesterday's race with Tim Johnson taking an early lead and holding it the whole day. Behind, the chase today was more dynamic with a strong trio of racers working to bring Johnson back. Luca Damiani (El Gato CX p/b Podium Cycling) once again was on the hunt, today joined by Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Cannondale) and Justin Spinelli (Richard Sachs/RGM Watches/Radix).

Like yesterday, Damiani was the strongest of the chase and came through for second after dropping his companions on the last lap. Lindine managed to put some space behind him, taking third and relegating the resurgent Spinelli to fourth.

The sprint for fifth place determined today's U23 winner as Luke Keough (Champion Systems p/b Keough Cyclocross) held off Jerome Townsend (bikereg.com/Joe's Garage/Scott) with Jesse Keough (Champion Systems p/b Keough Cyclocross) third.

The Elite Women's race was clearly owned by the Ladies First cycling team with Andrea Smith taking victory with her teammates Ann D'Ambruoso second and Christina Tamilio third. Yet another Ladies First racer, yesterday's runner-up, Crystal Anthony, took fourth place.

For Smith, the victory was sweet, but her team's showing was even more important. "Today was three years in the making," said Smith, referring to the team's beginnings as several women related to Landry's Bicycles, members of Minuteman Road Club and coached by Larry Felton. For each racer on the podium, today's was their best result in a UCI race. While Smith was solo off the front, having taken advantage of mishaps by Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (crossresults.com/pedalpowercoaching.com presented by JRA Cycles) and Rebecca Blatt (Silver Bull/Central Wheel), the remaining three Ladies First racers were forced to sprint for the second and third steps of the podium.

Anthony, having bested Mo Bruno-Roy yesterday in a sprint, was overtaken by her teammates today and came fourth. For the first time in her cycling career, the Verge NECCS leader's jersey moved to the shoulders of Andrea Smith.

Once again, Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo) imposed his will on the Masters 35+ field for his second victory of the weekend. Behind him was Kevin Hines (Corner Cycle) with bikeman.com/pbmcoaching/com's Kurt Perham coming across third. Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle)'s fourth brought up thoughts that he hasn't fully healed from his crash at Masters Nationals.

The 45+ field was once again won by Erich Gutbier (CCC Keltic Construction/Zane's Cycles), today beating out Mark Gunsalus (Team Fuji/Clif Bar) and John Mosher (Wheelworks Racing) in a three-way sprint. The 55+ victor was, once again, CCB's Tim Groesback and he, once again, bested Ed Hamel (Joe's Garage), though today in a sprint, and David Rath (Corner Cycle).

Karl Hoppner (EMD Serono/Specialized) took a solo victory in the U19 field. Behind him, Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) finished second for the second time on the weekend and Nate Morse (CL Noonan) finished third.

The Women's 3/4 field continued to prove itself an exciting new addition to the series. Today's race finished with an elite group of four powering away. Emma White (nycross.com/VoMax/CBRC) bested Kathy Savary (Blue Steel Cyclery), Elizabeth Lukowshi (nycross.com/VoMax/CBRC) and Nancy Labbe-Giguere (Ladies First), who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Results