Published July 25, 2012 08:09AM
Nicole Duke is the newest member of the Raleigh-Clement cyclocross team after she won Tuesday’s Midsummer Nights Cyclocross in Park City, Utah. Ryan Trebon (Cannondale-Clement) won the men’s race, but it is unclear at this point whether Jonathan Page or Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cyle Sport) will join the upstart ’cross team.
The North American cyclocross season doesn’t open until early September, but Raleigh brought its summertime event to DealerCamp in Park City this year and gave un-signed riders a shot at joining the new Raleigh professional team. The top rider without a pro deal in the elite men’s and women’s fields earned a contract with the squad with full support for the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross and Cross After Dark series, as well as a number of other events.
The contest rules required the winners to be 19 years of age or older; be eligible to race UCI cyclocross events in 2012 and purchase a license; be able to attend the full U.S. Gran Prix and Cross After Dark series; and be without a “current contract with a UCI trade team for the 2012/13 cyclocross season” and without a “current contract with title sponsor for the 2012/13 cyclocross season.”
In the men’s race, new Cyclocrossworld.com teammates Trebon and Tim Johnson, riding for Volkswagen-Peopleforbikes during the summer months, fought a two-up battle at the front of the race after escaping early. Trebon, who joined the squad this spring, came out on top, with Page trailing in for third.
Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) was fourth and Krughoff was fifth.
It is unclear at this point whether Page or Krughoff will receive the Raleigh contract for the season. Page, a veteran and former world championship podium finisher, has lived and raced in Europe for years, but is hoping to relocate to the U.S. with his family. He is still in search of sponsor support for 2012-13 after his Planet Bike and Enve deals ended in the offseason, but has a long-standing relationship with Blue Competition Cycles. Boulder Cycle Sport in Boulder, Colorado, backs Krughoff, who is a professional photographer by trade, but he does not have a pro contract.
He wrote on Twitter late Tuesday night:
WOW. Huge thanks for all the support + props regarding @raleighbicycles @dealercamp cx race! Should know details tomorrow after breakfast.
The outcome of the women’s race was much clearer.
Duke took to the front of the field immediately and pressed forward. The Boulder, Colorado-based former professional gravity rider led wire-to-wire and came through for the win. Having finished third at the national championships in January, it was her first victory since December 2011.
The 38-year-old rode with Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com last season, but was without a contract for the 2012-13 campaign. She pressed hard to find a deal in the offseason and Tuesday was her night to make it happen.
Kari Studley (Redline) was second with Caroline Mani (Raleigh-Clement) third.
Men’s brief results
1. Ryan Trebon, Cannondale-Clement
2. Tim Johnson, Volkswagen-Peopleforbikes
3. Jonathan Page
4. Ben Berden, Raleigh-Clement
5. Allen Krughoff, Boulder Cycle Sport
Women’s brief results
1. Nicole Duke
2. Kari Studley, Redline
3. Caroline Mani, Raleigh-Clement
4. Kathy Sherwin,
5. Jenni Gaertner