07_USGP

RYAN TREBON 2ND IN DERBY CITY USGP, BARRY WICKS 3RD

The opening round of the US Gran Prix served as a wakeup call for the Kona-yourkey.com team. It is apparent that the level of cyclocross in the US has ratcheted up a few notches in the past year. The days of complete domination by the Twin Timbers and newly crowned Canadian National Champion, Wendy Simms, isn’t a sure thing and will come with much more of a battle and tactical savvy.

US Gran Prix #1-Lousiville, KY

In what looks to be shaping up as a season long rivalry the Kona-yourkey.com and cyclocrossworld.com, the teams traded blows throughout much of the race and on both days. Today the tables were turned and Kona riders Barry Wicks and Ryan Trebon were the ones on the bottom steps of the podium. Jeremy Powers had the best ride of his career and Wicks and Trebon didn’t have much of an answer for the duo of Powers and Johnson who finished 1st and 2nd.

“Ryan and I dictated the pace and the race for the first half. But then we both just kind of fell apart,” said Wicks. Both riders are at the tail end of some heavy travel schedules and neither was feeling totally on top of their game. Trebon had just arrived back from Belgium and Wicks had five straight weekends of travel. “I was hoping to be better when I got back but it wasn’t to be. Being 6’ 5” and sitting on Trans Atlantic plane flights didn’t really help my back,” said Trebon who has been struggling with a back and hip issue. Wicks would finish the day out in 3rd Place while Trebon would finish 4th. Erik Tonkin had a rough day, also fighting some back problems. He finished 22nd.

Wendy Simms was locked in a spicy battle of her own. With phenom Katie Compton well out in front the race looked to be shaping up as a battle of the Canadians for 2nd. Simms, Bessette and Sydor were marking each other and riding for second when a hard charging Georgia Gould motored right through their group. The tactical error by the group set up the battle for third place. Unlike the weekend before where Simms was able to get away before the sprint Sydor played her cards well and Simms ended up 4th in the bunch sprint.

US Gran Prix #2-Louisville, KY

Another day brought another battle between the Kona-yourkey.com and cyclocrossworld.com teams. But today the team riders were sandwiched between each other by the final finish. Barry Wicks took the hole shot and was leading into the first lap when he crashed hard. “I don’t really know what happened. I was rallying along then all of a sudden I was face down in the sand pit and Powers was on top of me. I lost at least 20 place in the first lap,” said Wicks.

With Wicks and Powers tangled up and behind, Trebon and Johnson traded turns up front as they distanced themselves from the rest of the field. About mid way through the race Trebon had a slight bobble in a technical section and the Johnson was able to get a gap and maintain it to the end. “Tim rode a good race today. I’m bummed that my back is not cooperating and I could have battled with him to the end. Once he got a gap on me my body wasn’t going to let me go any harder to reel him back in. By the end of the race I was in some really pain,” said Trebon. Wicks meanwhile was tearing through the field and pulled to within 6 seconds of third place but ran out of time. Trebon would finish 2nd on the day with Wicks 4th. Tonkin unfortunately would pull out of the race with back pain.

Much the same battle was in store for the women on day two. Compton shot out the front and Gould was chasing hard for 2nd. Simms was frustrated from the day before and wanted to try to bring the group closer to the front of the race. In the end her efforts cost her as she spent a bit too much time on the front and wasn't not quite able to maintain the pace at end and she finished in 4th place.

“Ryan and I are a bit disapppointed with how we rode this weekend. But we have the short flights for next weekend’s racing and then it’s some chill weeks before the next GP. We’ll be ready,” Wicks said.

NOTE: The Kona sponsored RAD Racing team sent the traveling squad to Kentucky to battle in the Junior 17-18yrs category.

Steve Fisher took 2nd on both days.
Eric Emsky was 6th & 4th
an Terry 8th & 3rd

Next up for the Kona-yourkey.com team-the Boulder Cup in Colorado November 3rd and 4th.

Ryan Trebon leads Tim Johnson through the barriers

Barry Wicks Crosses the Line in 3rd Place

Till Next Time,

Marko

Photos courtesy of Dave McElwain/Trailwatch.net

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