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TREBON WINS US GRAN PRIX #3 & 4-TAKES US GRAN PRIX OVERALL LEAD
With a pair of commanding performances Ryan Trebon took another two victories this weekend and the overall US Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series lead along with them. Barry Wicks also had a great ride on Saturday finishing 2nd. Wendy Simms had good but frustrating races with a rolled tubular tire on Saturday and a 4th place finish Sunday. Day One: Kona-yourkey.com riders Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks were able to get off the front relatively early in the race and were able to ride somewhat conservatively to the end. “It’s always nice to have two away off the front. That way you know if there is a mistake, crash or mechanical your teammate is there to help out or put the hammer down,” said Wicks. But there was no need for any extra work on this day, just a solid day of riding hard and to a one-two finish. “My legs are feeling much better and my injury is fading with the treatment I’ve been getting,” said Trebon. Wicks and Trebon were unmatched in their power on this day and they both tested each other a bit till the end of the race. But in the end Trebon had that extra power Wicks could not quite match. “Ryan’s been riding really well. I did what I could to stick with him to the end but I got gapped off a bit and he rode it to the win. But I’m happy for him and for the Kona team. I felt like I rode well today and obviously Ryan did as well,” said Wicks. Day Two: Ryan Trebon showcased his mud skills on this day and rode a great race to better renowned bike handler Tim Johnson by days end. Many people forget that Trebon has spent many a muddy race in the Benelux region honing his skills over the past years. “People think I don’t know how to race in the mud but that’s not it at all. In the past I have frustrated with some of the US courses that have fallen outside of the UCI regulations. It’s not that I don’t like races like that it’s just that some are borderline unsafe and I’m not willing to risk injury falling into a hole at the bottom of a puddle,” said Trebon. “Tim rode a great race today. He’s one of the best bike handlers out there and to beat him on a course like this is good, because you know Portland will be muddy, muddy, mudddy.” Barry Wicks, who normally has great technical skills, went down hard in the first corner. As a result he suffered a mechanical well away from the pits and was not in contention for the day. “I stacked it pretty hard and took a few people down with me. But with the mechanical and being well away from the pits and from the front of the race I just rode my best to finish out the race. I’m bummed since I rode so well yesterday and felt like today was going to be a good day,” remarked Wicks. Wendy Simms had a better race with both tires staying on her bikes this day but she was just nipped at the line by three time mtb World Champion Alison Sydor and Simms finished in 4th place. “I’m pretty frustrated and sick of 4th place. I did all I could to ride Alison off of my wheel but I just couldn’t do it. She was stuck to my wheel the whole race. In the end she came around me to win out the sprint,” said Simms. “I’m going to work on some tactics these next couple of weeks to get ready for Portland. I feel like I have the legs-it’s just the tactics I’m needing to refine,” said Simms. Next Up a holiday break for Thanksgiving (US Riders) and then off to the Portland for the final round and races #5 & 6 in the US Gran Prix Series December 1st & 2nd. Till Next Time,
Photos courtesy of Dave McElwain/trailwatch.net
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