Published October 20, 2012 08:38PM
NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine (VN) — Crystal Anthony (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Justin Lindine (Redline) prevailed Saturday on an exceptionally challenging Downeast Cyclocross circuit.
Heavy rain soaked the course at Pineland Farms, home to round two of the 2012 Verge New England Pro Cyclocross Series, and racers faced a half lap in the woods, long, gooey power sections and looping, off-camber turns. The most exceptional course feature, however, was the mud — as is usually the case at Downeast.
Anthony took a solid gap on the elite women’s field within the first half lap. When she emerged from the woods, she already had 30 seconds’ advantage.
A chase group formed, containing Ellen Noble (Trek Cyclocross Collective), Anna Barensfeld (Pedal Power Training), Britlee Bowman (Pedal Power Training), Catherine Sterling (Bikeman) and Frances Morrison (JAM Fund-NCC), but it soon began to break up.
Barensfeld jumped first, and then Morrison rode away, but neither would catch Anthony, who took the win by two and a half minutes. Barensfeld rode smoothly to second, while Morrison took third.
In the elite men’s race mountain biker the holeshot went to Mike Garrigan (Stage-Race-Blacksmith Cycle). But the woods saw a shakeup from which Lindine, Jeremy Durrin (JAM Fund-NCC) and RGM Watches-Richard Sachs teammates Dan Timmerman and Christian Favata emerged in front.
And there they would remain. Timmerman and Favata took the lead, riding together until Timmerman slipped away to build a solid gap. Lindine found his legs, however, and overhauled Timmerman in the penultimate lap.
The two rode together until the second half of the last lap, when Lindine attacked on a long, soupy stretch to take the win, relegating Timmerman to second. Favata rode alone into third.
Editor’s note: Round two of the Downeast Cyclocross follows Sunday at Pineland Farms.