Johnson and Elliot take Toronto ‘cross Day 1

by VeloNews.com

October 17, 2009
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Results

By Rod Olliver

Toronto CX – 2009 – Day 1: Tim Johnson powers away.

Photo: Jan Safka

It may be a new race to the North American Cyclocross Trophy series, but both winners were repeats from last year’s edition of the GNC Toronto Cyclo-cross on Saturday. Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Natasha Elliott (Garneau) scored wins at the popular event, now a part of the NACT series.

As last year, the Toronto Cyclo-cross’s Day #1 course was built on top of a 600-meter ski hill. Changes to the course ? featuring twists and turns at the bottom, a difficult climb and a tough descent ? proved to be a new, but popular, challenge for all. A set of stairs was installed to force riders off the bike.

The air was chilly, but there was no snow, in fact, the sun was shining and the course stayed dry keeping the rubber on the ground for most of the course, with riders forced off only to run the barriers and the stairs.

“I have been wishing for mud” said Linda Sone (Planet Bike), “After seeing pictures of last year’s race here, I’ve been hoping for rain”

A maze of tape at the bottom of the hill provided many opportunities for the fans to see the cornering skills of the stars.

CyclocrossWorld.com’s Jamie Driscoll commented “there was little chance for pedalling in the course, with the downhill, followed by tight technical sections, the climb up the hill was the only chance to attack.”

Elliot: Steady as she goes

Toronto CX – 2009 – Day 1: Pepper Harlton stayed with Elliott early on.

Photo: Jan Safka

The women’s race started with Gesa Bruechmann (Stevens) taking the hole shot, then crashing at the barriers. Pepper Harlton (Juventus) and Elliott took over the lead, with Harlton attacking the first climb and gapping a patient Elliott.

A lap later, Harlton had lost 20 seconds to Elliott as she faded back towards Planet Bike’s Kristin Wentworth and Linda Sone.

“I knew I couldn’t give it everything the first time up that hill,” Elliott said. “You have to save something.”

A second chase group was another 10 seconds behind, with Bruechmann, Sara Bresnick-Zocchi(Pedal Powercoaching.com/Landry’s), Kaitlin Antonneau (Planet Bike) and Sarah Stewart (Total Restoration).

Elliott dominated steadily in front until she finished the race with hands raised.

Meanwhile Wentworth and Sone traded attacks until Harlton eventually fell off the pace by the last lap, and was caught by Kaitlin Antonneau who attacked from the front of the second chase group.

Melissa Bunn(The Hub Race Team) was the local surprise in her first UCI race, missing 10th spot by only 12 seconds.

A dot.com attack

Cyclocrossworld.com brought the power to Toronto for the weekend, with Driscoll, Jeremy Powers and Johnson headlining the men’s race.

Toronto CX – 2009 – Day 1: Mike Garrigan leading Powers over the steps on Lap 1.

Photo: Jan Safka

Off the gun, former Canadian champ, Mike Garrigan (La Bicicletta) took the hole shot and powered up the climb, maintaining the lead until Andy Jacques-Maynes (Drissel Pro Cycling) attacked as they came over the top for the first time.

On the descent, Jacques-Maynes held Powers off from coming through the inside of the turns. Johnson and Jesse Anthony all stayed close to the front, with a small gap to a large second group.

After attacking down the finishing straight, Powers stumbled after the barriers.

“I had what we call a bad bounce,” said Powers, “where my wheel might have hit a rock, and it bounced differently. I fell, and a couple of guys hit me and knocked the wind out of me.”

Toronto CX – 2009 – Day 1: Powers showing the marks of a crash.

Photo: Jan Safka

Jesse Anthony (Jamis) who crashed into Powers along with Johnson wasn’t able to get hold of the bunch.

Some confusion at the front of the group because of this crash let some other riders including Andrew Watson (Norco Factory Team) who fought forward from the third row, catch the back of the group. Derrick St. John (Garneau Club-Chaussure Ogilvy) bridged across to Jacques Maynes who again led the group.

“We were all on the rivet when Jeremy crashed,” said Jacques-Maynes, “so there was an opportunity to open up gaps, but the hill neutralized the advantage and it came back together.”

A lap later, and half way through the race, it became apparent that Powers wouldn’t get back on; Johnson put his head down and attacked the climb. His teammate Driscoll immediately followed but was unable to catch the wheel. This left behind Tristan Schouten (Planet Bike), Jacques-Maynes, Watson and St. John to fight for 3rd place.

After several laps, attrition knocked Jacques-Maynes out of this group, then Schouten. With a lap to go, and the Johnson/Driscoll combo still clear, all of the attention was on local riders, St. John and Watson. Watson attacked at the bottom of the climb, and St. John attacked at the top, with the spot seeming to be in St. John’s favor until he slid out on a corner at the bottom of the descent, giving Watson a few seconds lead to hang onto through the last corners.

“Looking around from the top of the course and it looks great – it has all the elements, and it’s great to see that the local guys are turning it on,” says Johnson after the win, “there is a lot of potential here, just have to get more people up here racing ‘cross.”

Race action is slated to continue on Sunday, with Day 2’s race on the other side of the hill in the Centennial Park valley.