December 6, 2009. Team Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com Newsletter. The team traveled to the West Coast to tackle the Portland Cup, the final weekend of racing in the 2009 United States Gran Prix of Cyclocross series. The team was eager to confirm their form ahead of the U.S. National Championships as well as grab a podium or two in the last major weekend of American cyclocross before Sunday’s National Championships. For more information, head to www.cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com.
The Portland Cup is one of the most prestigious races on the American cyclocross calendar, and a win that every rider wants to add to their trophy case. As if the competition wasn’t stiff enough, the Portland Cup is also the final test for America’s cyclocross elite ahead of the National Championships, with every rider eager to cement themselves as a title favorite. Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll each headed to Portland rested and ready for battle.
The muddy conditions that have become synonymous with racing in Oregon were notably absent when Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com arrived in Portland. The loose mud was replaced by frozen, fast conditions. As has been the case many times this season, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com were present at the front end of the race, and it was Jeremy Powers who was best placed of the team’s three riders. Powers was one of the day’s main protagonists, emerging from the early fray in an elite group containing Todd Wells (Specialized) and Ryan Trebon (Kona/FSA). Only one group behind, Johnson and Driscoll were desperately chasing the leading group. “The first few laps, before the gap was established, we were going all out to get there. Once we knew they were gone, we started to focus on holding where we were.
Powers, Wells and Trebon continued to trade attacks amongst themselves, and it was Powers’ tenacity that kept him in the mix. Powers found himself distanced by Wells and Trebon at times, leading many to believe he’d have to settle for third, only to see him claw his way back into the mix. “Todd was closing down a bunch of gaps, and Ryan [Trebon] took me off the back one time and it was a really hard day. Trebon was taking pulls that were tearing our legs off,” said Powers. As the race continued, the team began to find their legs, with Powers composed at the front, responding to the attacks thrown at him, and Johnson and Driscoll attacking out of their chase group to chase the leaders. Johnson reflected on his race by saying, “For the first forty minutes of the race, I was really struggling. I was trying too hard, trying to force things. The legs weren’t really responding. The last twenty minutes I came alive a little bit more.”
Heading into the final meters of the race, Powers and Wells, had escaped from Trebon, but the race would come down to a final sprint. Wells was able to get to the race’s final corner in the lead, and despite turning himself inside out to prevent it, Powers could not nip Wells at the line. Thanks to their strong riding in the race’s second half, Johnson and Driscoll managed to hang on to fourth and fifth place, respectively.
As day broke on Sunday, the Powers, Johnson and Driscoll were all looking to improve on their performances from Saturday. Powers was particularly eager to upgrade his Saturday finish, and shot out to the holeshot as soon as the starter’s gun fired. Johnson was not far behind, and quickly a leading group of Powers, Johnson and Todd Wells had established itself. Powers and Johnson were keen on dictating the pace at the front; both trying to distance Wells and ensure that no more riders made the selection.
Powers and Johnson were in constant contact, picking strategic locations to launch stinging attacks, and making sure that the other wouldn’t be dropped when the first attacked. “We had a good race. Tim and I played of each other. We were just on the same page all day, making sure one guy wasn’t off the back, making sure one guy was ready to attack,” said Powers of the team’s tactics. Powers and Johnson managed to hold off any chasing competition, but Wells was resilient, and the three-man group entered the final lap together. “We had to do pretty much everything we could to handle Todd,” said Johnson of the team’s efforts on Sunday. “Todd was the strongest in that group. If we hadn’t been attacking early in the race, that last lap would have been totally different.”
Powers and Johnson continued their assault, and heading into the final turn of the race, it was Powers who had established a small but significant gap over Wells and Johnson. “The finish was crazy! I went for it, then Todd came around me, I went back around him. It was bananas,” said Powers of the lead up to the finish. From there, Powers continued his acceleration through the finish line, reversing the final result from Saturday. Wells sprinted home for second, while Johnson improved his Saturday result and stepped onto the podium. Driscoll rode a solid race, after battling through a sickness during the week, finishing up seventh on the day, and securing a third place finish overall in the USGP standings. “The course wasn’t muddy and slow like you’d expect, it was just blisteringly fast. I definitely could have gone better, but I was feeling pretty smoked. Luckily I’ve got a week to work those things out.”
For Powers, Sunday’s win was his ninth of the season, and his second win in the USGP series this year, following his victory in Wisconsin in September. Powers upped the team’s win total to 21. Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com finished up the USGP season with five victories, as well as two spots on the USGP overall podium, with Johnson finishing just ahead of Driscoll in second and third.
Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com has only one more weekend of domestic racing left on their agenda, as they head to Bend, Oregon for the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships. America’s elite talent has been peaking for strong performances in Bend, and Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com are no exception. All three members of the team are confident in their form and have established themselves as favorites for Sunday’s main event. Johnson is ready to battle for nationals, saying, “I think next Sunday, it’s going to be game on. I can’t imagine it being an easy race for anyone. Whoever wins is going to have to really fight for it.” Driscoll, too, is ready to repeat and improve on his second place performance from last year, saying, “I definitely think I can do it. I’m looking forward to trying to do that again.” “I’m there and I think I have a shot, and that’s all anyone can really ask for going into next weekend,” said Powers of his form and his chances in Bend. Regardless of the outcome, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com promises to be among the key favorites next Sunday in Bend, Oregon.
