Jamey Driscoll, Helen Wyman take kickoff at 2012 Jingle Cross Rock
Wyman led from wire to wire in Friday's opener, while Driscoll took over from a down-and-out Tim Johnson
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (VN) — Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and Helen Wyman (Kona Factory) took top honors on Friday as the 2012 Jingle Cross Rock weekend got under way Friday evening at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
Wyman, the reigning British national champion, started and ended fast, leading the elite women’s field through each lap of the 3.18km circuit and crossing solo for the victory. Julie Krasniak (Rapha-Focus) took the runner-spot 17 seconds later with Jade Wilcoxson (Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies) rounding out the podium in third, 20 seconds down.
The men’s race was controlled early by another Cannondale rider, former U.S. champion Tim Johnson, who was first off the line and took a commanding lead up Mt. Krumpit.
But Johnson went down hard on a fast-flat section on the third lap, banging his knee on the top tube and ending his night. Driscoll picked right up where his teammate left off and led the remaining laps of the race, taking the win.
Twelve seconds later Chris Jones collected another second place for Rapha-Focus, while Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) won a battle with Cannondale’s Ryan Trebon for the final podium spot a further 10 seconds down.
The Jingle Cross weekend continues with racing on both Saturday and Sunday.