Helen Wyman, Zach McDonald wrap up Providence Cyclocross Festival

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (VN) — Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team) made a clean sweep of the Providence Cyclocross Festival weekend and Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus) raced solo to an elite men’s victory as rain slickened Sunday’s course at Roger Williams Park.

The weather-roughened circuit took a toll on more than one rider. Day-one runner-up Kaitlinn Antonneau (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and teammate Ryan Trebon were among those who hit the slippery deck. Antonneau would recover to finish ninth on the day, but Trebon called it quits after finding himself well down the field.

And even those who stayed upright had their hands full.

Wyman strove to stay ahead of a persistent Gabby Day (Rapha-Focus). But stay ahead she did — Day would have to settle for second, while Mary McConneloug (Team Kenda-Seven) rounded out the podium in third.

In men’s racing, Ian Field (Hargroves Cycle-Specialized) grabbed the early lead, pursued by Tim Johnson (Cannondale). Then McDonald stepped up, and soon he and Field were leading Johnson and U.S. national champion Jeremy Powers (Rapha), winner of Saturday’s opener.

Shortly after the McDonald-Field duo hit five laps to go Powers slid out on an off-camber bit and Johnson slipped past. Ahead, McDonald likewise opened a gap on Field, and the Rapha rider was on his own with three laps to go.

Field slid out, too, and Johnson slipped past him and went after McDonald. But the leader was getting the bell lap, and he wasn’t slowing down.

As McDonald drove on toward the win, Field and Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement) latched onto Johnson. The Briton couldn’t stay with them, but Berden could — and shortly after McDonald claimed his victory, the Raleigh rider out-kicked Johnson for second.

Editor’s note: Stay tuned for more from Providence.