Katerina Nash sweeps Providence Cyclocross Festival
Nash once again picks the right time to jump and rides a flawless final lap to sweep the race weekend in Providence
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Katerina Nash (Luna) did it again on Sunday, taking her second consecutive victory at the 2013 Providence Cyclocross Festival.
Nash got away from Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) going into the final lap, padding her advantage to 10 seconds by the finish.
Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) started strong, but could manage only third on the day.
“It was a great course once again. It was a lot different than yesterday,” said Nash. “Taking two victories, you can’t complain. This is an amazing start.”
Sunday’s race felt a bit less welcoming after a bit of rain, and there were some arm warmers and long sleeves on the start line.
Wyman took the hole shot once more and led the women onto a circuit that was noticeably slicker than it had been on Saturday. Crystal Anthony (Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies) took a digger in a slick spot on the first lap, and there was a traffic jam on the greasy flyover, but it didn’t affect Wyman, who was leading with Gabby Durrin (Rapha-Focus) on her wheel.
The next lap saw a four-woman lead group form containing Wyman, day-one winner Nash, U.S. and World Cup champion Compton, and Elle Anderson (California Giant-Specialized).
Compton slid out while riding third wheel, gapping Anderson, and while the U.S. champ quickly got back onto the leaders the Cal Giant rider found herself dangling in fourth, which was where she would stay.
Compton attacked on the pavement next trip though the start-finish, but Nash and Wyman stuck with her. The Luna rider then took charge, accelerating away from the staircase run, but some trouble clipping back in on the flat let Compton and Wyman latch back on.
Nash and Compton took turns in the No. 1 spot, putting a few bike lengths on Wyman. Then, headed into bell lap, Nash jumped hard through the start-finish, gapping Compton.
Nash was smooth as silk on the final lap, taking a three-second lead on Compton by the flyover, then adding a second or two by the staircase. Come the descent she was long gone — she kept putting time on Compton all the way to the line.