Trebon Tops at 2006 California Giant Berry Farms USA Cycling National Cyclo-cross Championships
Ryan Trebon becomes the latest
National Cyclo-cross Champion
photo: Chris Milliman
chrismilliman.com
PROVIDENCE, RI (December 16, 2006) Ryan Trebon (Kona Bicycles) finally did it. After years of bad luck, the 25-year-old from Ventura, California demonstrated utter domination over America's best cyclo-cross racers at the 2006 California Giant Berry Farms USA Cycling National Cyclo-cross Championships. Trebon wasted no time winning his first ever cyclo-cross national title, attacking the lead group in the hilly back section of the course on the first lap.
"I put in a real big effort going up the hill on the back side and just got a gap and kept plugging away at it," explained the beaming Trebon.
Disappearing into the Adidas Black Hills, Trebon emerged with a 20 second gap and with it the race. In his wake, Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), who succumbed to a flat front tire in the opening minutes of the race, joined up with the previous national champion, Todd Wells (GT), and clawed his way to the group of Jonathan Page (Cervelo), Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) and Barry Wicks (Kona Bicycles). These five riders put on a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful chase in an attempt to reach the untouchable Trebon.
As the gap between Trebon and the chasers grew to an insurmountable 30 seconds, the chase group's focus shifted from first to second, and a flurry of attacks ensued.
"I knew with three laps to go, if I didn't go in any sort of fashion and close the gap, I was racing for second," explained the soft-spoken Jonathan Page. "And I knew with two laps to go, I was racing for second."
Page, despite having not raced the entire season because of a torn rotator cuff, was still strong enough to win the sprint for second place, coming around Tim Johnson in the last two hundred meters.
"In this kind of race, the strongest guy always wins," said Todd Wells in a moment of reflection after the race. "Today it was clear who the strong guys were."
Anthony finds redemption midst mud
The cyclo-cross world is right again. After taking a heartbreaking second last year, Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar) took his seventh national cyclo-cross and final espoirs title with tears in his eyes. Anthony, a New England local, started with a determination and speed that several of his fellow riders tried in vain to match, but instead were left in his smoking wake.
"We all remember last year and I didn't want that to happen again," explained Anthony. "But after a few laps I really stuck it hard and that did it."
US Grand Prix of Cyclo-cross espoir champion, Jamey Driscoll (Fiordifruitta) managed to stick on Anthony's wheel for two laps, but Anthony's constant acceleratiions proved fatal for the Vermont-native who was quickly caught by the chasing duo of Morgan Schmitt (Hagens-Berman LLP) and Bjorn Selander (Alan Factory Team).
In the end, a tearful Anthony was left with more than enough time to zip his jersey and roll into the waiting New England crowd, while Morgan Schmitt edged out Bjorn Selander in the sprint for second place.
Summerhill repeats
Danny Summerhill (TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR) crossed the line today and proved that his victory last year was no fluke. The tall Colorado native simply out-powered his only major competition, New England native Ethan Gilmour (K2 Bike - Okemo - Coyote Hill), after two laps and sailed to a convincing victory.
"I hit every line the way I wanted to, and just kept laying the power on," said Summerhill afterward.
Behind Summerhill, Gilmour held onto second, while Taylor Phinney (TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR), son of cycling legend Davis Phinney, battled his way into third place to round out the top three.
Report from the Pits:
"This could just as well be pavement," said Adam Carr, of Mavic's neutral support. Carr, who could have just as well been playing solitaire during the men's elite race today while riders zipped around the dry, hard-packed course, said that flats from hitting roots at high speed were most common. Here's hoping that boredom governs the pits once again tomorrow for the California Giant Berry Pro Elite Super Cup and the elite women. Racing starts at 8:30 am with the B women's race.
