Berden wins Waves for Water Cyclocross Day 2

Day two of the Waves for Water Cyclocross Collaboration took place at Ft Steliacoom State Park in Lakewood, Washington. The fast, tacky course featured one big climb, with a fast gravel descent. Both the men’s and women’s races saw large groups racing together into the final moments. Cal-Giant’s Rachel Lloyd took her second win of the weekend, while Raleigh-Clement’s Ben Berden won in a group sprint down the long final stretch.

The men’s race saw a large group racing together for the first half of the race. Several riders attempted to animate the opening laps, but it was hard to get away on what proved to be a draft-heavy course. It wasn’t until the final few laps that the group of 12 was reduced to five. A group containing the previous day’s strong men included Berden, James Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement) and Cal-Giant’s Logan Owen, who was hoping to make up for yesterday’s loss.

Berden led Owen, Driscoll, Giant’s Adam Craig and Shawn Milne (Boulder Cycle Sport/ Yogaglo) into the last lap. Driscoll attacked heading into the course’s final portion but he couldn’t get away. In the end, Berden opened it up on the long finish straight, using his biggest gear to take the win. Owen pounded the bars as he rolled across the line just a bit behind the hard charging Belgian. Shawn Milne (Boulder Cycle Sport/ Yogaglo) took third.

The woman’s race saw similar road tactics play out. Yesterday’s winner, Lloyd sat in for the a majority of the race. Amanda Miller (Boulder Cycle Sport/ Yogaglo) and Courtenay McFadden (GE Capital American Classic) take over a majority of the pace setting.

The Cal-Giant rider waited until the final lap to launch her attack, using the course’s one climb to put a gap into her competitors. She kept on the gas and gave herself plenty of time to post up as she crossed the line with the win.

Miller came across the line second, with local rider McFadden finished third. A different course, but similar result to yesterday’s race.

Full Results