Nov 22, 2009

Team Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com closed out the North American Cyclocross Trophy season in style over the past weekend in Southampton, New York, solidifying first, second and third place on the NACT overall standings through a pair of podium sweeps. For more information on the team, head to www.cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com.

One year ago, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com captain Tim Johnson found himself in street clothes on the final overall podium of the North American Cyclocross Trophy. The disappointment of not fighting for the final series overall helped drive Johnson to overall victory in the NACT's sophomore season, closing out the NACT series with a pair of wins in Southampton, New York's Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup. Following just behind Johnson on the final NACT podium was teammate Jeremy Powers, who narrowly bested Jamey Driscoll, the final member of the squad, completing Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com's sweep of the overall NACT podium.

Saturday's action opened with the possibility that Johnson could close out the NACT overall with a win. The team's weekend had a tall obstacle in its way, in the form of Ryan Trebon (Kona), who entered the weekend determined to disrupt Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com's shot at victory. Early in Saturday's race, Trebon's efforts had Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com on their heels, despite having all three members of the team in the leading group. Johnson was wary of Trebon on day one, saying: "Ryan was very much in control, and he was riding really well. Really he had the race going his way, keeping us on the limit. When he had issue, Jeremy and I got away together, and I just jammed on the gas." Midway through the race, a small bobble on Trebon's part allowed Johnson, Powers and Driscoll to tip the scales in their favor, as Johnson surged to the front, the rest of Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com in tow.

Johnson's powerful attack claimed Driscoll as its first casualty. Despite not being able to hold the pace of the NACT leader, Driscoll soldiered ahead on his own, resisting a dogged chase from Trebon. Driscoll rode up to his usual standards to hold on to third place, claiming yet another UCI podium in what has been his best season to date. "It's pretty sweet to finish on a big series podium this season. It shows that I've become a more consistent rider this year, which is good for me." Ahead, Powers was the last man to fall off of Johnson's wheel, despite his best efforts to the contrary. "Tim's riding really well, and I'm playing catch up to him right now, but the fact that I'm just shy of where Tim is shows I've got some work ahead of me, but not a ton, so I'm happy with where I am," said Powers of his current form. Johnson continued his assault on the course, extending his lead up until the day's final meters, taking home the win and mathematically eliminating all challengers to his NACT title. Powers would cross the line shortly behind Johnson, assuring a Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com podium sweep.

On Sunday, Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com was eager to dictate things from the front of the race, and it was Jeremy Powers who provided the early fireworks. Powers attacked out of a leading group of seven, of which no rider had an immediate answer to his acceleration. "There was an opportunity and I took it, I didn't necessarily mean to go from the gun or anything. Everyone was kind of hanging out and I saw there were some lulls, so I wanted to capitalize on that," said Powers of his attack. Powers continued to expand his lead for a time, while Johnson and Driscoll kept tabs on the group behind. "Once Jeremy was up the road, I waited to see what anyone else was going to do. When I saw that they weren't going to close, I went over the top. If it took one lap or three, I was just trying to get across to Jeremy clean," said Johnson. When it looked as if there would be no further response from the group, Johnson chose to attack across the finish line, quickly closing the gap to Powers.

Driscoll, too, picked the perfect time to attack out of the chase group, and before long, the gaps between groups were expanding, setting up another team podium sweep. Driscoll was quick to highlight the caliber of his teammates up the road. "I didn't charge up to Tim because I wanted to make sure he got a gap. Once he established that gap, he was full gas to get up to Jeremy, and once he's going, he's a hard wheel to follow." Johnson and Powers, once the gap had been fully established, turned their attention to each other, and the impending victory. Powers and Johnson took turns pulling, and when the time came to settle the final podium, it was a Johnson attack that finally dispatched a resilient Jeremy Powers.

Johnson quickly opened up an unassailable gap over his teammate, and had enough of a cushion to celebrate his second win of the weekend, his tenth of the season and his overall NACT title. "We definitely threw everything at each other out there," said Johnson. "It was definitely a fun last half hour of the race." His win upped Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com's win tally to eighteen victories on the year. Powers finished up his stellar ride to take home second, and second on the NACT podium, while Driscoll, who had come close to catching the leading duo earlier in the race, again held on for third on the day and third place on the NACT podium. For Johnson, the satisfaction of winning the NACT was enhanced due to his fear that his shot at the title evaporated with a crash in September that left him with a separated shoulder. "I thought any chance of winning either the NACT or USGP was out the window, so to come away with one of the two feels really good. I was seriously worried, because there were a few weeks when the shoulder was giving me a hard time. I didn't know how long the effects were going to last, so I was trying to think positively."

With Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com's American campaign nearing its end, Jeremy Powers will be the only rider in action, as he heads to Sterling, Massachusetts' Baystate Cycloross next weekend, while Johnson and Driscoll will take some time to recharge before the team reunites for the final US Gran Prix of Cyclocross event in Portland, Oregon. After that, the team will turn their attention to the United States National Championships in Bend, Oregon.