The UCI cyclocross calendar officially kicked off on September 6th with Nittany Lion Cross. The ladies took to the course in what turned out to be the most brutal race of the day. With 90+ degree temps, and the sun beating down, everyone was suffering in very un-cyclocross like conditions. They did a great job creating an exciting race.
A group of four riders went off the front early, and proved to be the decisive selection. Gabby Durrin (Neon Velo Cycling Team), Laura Van Gilder (Van Dessel p/b Mellow Mushroom), Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC), and Arley Kemmerer (Pb2 Pro Cycling) road away from the field and traded punches at the front. Kemmerer dropped off from the group in the final laps as the pace picked up, but it was the final corner that decided the race.
As Durrin and Van Gilder approached the finish, Durrin took the inside line while Van Gilder tried to take the long way around. Van Gilder went to open up her sprint as they took the corner and prepared to drop in from the plateau to the finishing flat, when her bike slid out from under her. She slid head first like she was sliding into home plate to win the game, and her bike slid even further off the course. Durrin, with Noble on her wheel, launched down the short drop and pushed on towards the line. Noble tried to come along the inside, but Durrin was able to hold her off for the win. Van Gilder collected herself quickly and pedaled towards the line as Kemmerer sprinted towards her. Kemmerer was able to take third place at the line, leaving Van Gilder just off the podium.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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