Jamey Driscoll, Erica Zaveta win opener to 2014 Gateway Cross Cup
Unseasonably warm weather and a new course can't keep Erica Zaveta and Jamey Driscoll from winning in St. Louis
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ST. LOUIS (VN) — A hot day and a new course saw Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement) and Erica Zaveta (Amy D Racing) come out on top Saturday in round one of the 2014 Gateway Cross Cup.
A group of 15 broke free early in the men’s race, featuring Cody Kaiser (LangeTwins-Specialized), Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar), Zach McDonald (KCCX) and the Raleigh-Clement duo of Driscoll and Ben Berden.
Wells surged to the front in the fourth lap, whittling the lead group down to five with McDonald, the Raleigh riders and Brian Matter (Team Wisconsin-Clif Bar). A couple of laps later, Driscoll and Berden pulled clear and the race was looking like a one-two finish for Raleigh-Clement.
But Berden ultimately fell off the pace and Driscoll built a commanding lead. Matter caught Berden, but the Raleigh rider held on for second with a late surge, while Matter took third.
In the women’s race, Courtenay McFadden (GE Capital-American Classic) and Nicole Duke (Marin-Spy) drove the pace early on and split the field. A lead group formed with 2013 winner Amanda Miller (Boulder Cycle Sport), Duke, McFadden, Zaveta and Samantha Schneider (ISCorp).
Caroline Mani (Raleigh-Clement) tried to keep the leaders in sight while Sunny Gilbert (Michelob Ultra-Big Shark) hung gamely in between. The two chasers finally made contact with the front group, and Gilbert took the lead for half a lap before Zaveta overtook her and soloed in for the win. Gilbert held firm to second with Mani third.
The Gateway Cross Cup continues Sunday with round two at Queeny Park in St. Louis.