Published September 15, 2012 09:48PM
WILLISTON, Vermont (VN) — Crystal Anthony (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Nicolas Bazin (BigMat-Auber 93) won the kickoff to the Verge New England Cyclocross Series on Saturday.
The first day of the 13th annual Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend saw Anthony race away soon after the leaders hit the barriers for the first time.
“I was feeling good and took a chance,” said Anthony. And her gap only grew, leaving Maureen Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill-Seven Cycles) and Catherine Sterling (Bikeman.com) to battle for second.
Roy led Sterling for more than half the race before Sterling finally opened a gap that Roy could not close. She chased hard, not letting Sterling out of her sight, but ultimately Sterling prevailed.
The elite men’s race saw a strong group form early: Tim Johnson and Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld,com); Jonathan Page (Blue); Dylan McNicholas (Cyclocrossworld.com); Justin Lindine (Redline); Luke Keough (Corner Cycle-Champion); and Bazin.
Lindine attacked on the fifth lap, splitting the group, but it was Johnson’s counterattack that stuck. Bazin and Driscoll joined him, and while the trio traded attacks for the remainder of the race, Bazin ultimately rode away from Vermonter Driscoll on his home turf, leaving Johnson to take third.
“I wanted to race my heart out for all the people that came out and were cheering for me, but it was ultimately the strongest man that won,” Driscoll said.