To view all the photos with the #gpgloucester tag, visit http://web.stagram.com/tag/gpgloucester

WINNER – russto88

#gpgloucester WINNER russto88

2nd Place – prideandjoy

#gpgloucester 2nd place prideandjoy

3rd Place – kjhp

#gpgloucester 3rd place kjhp

Powers and the fans celebrate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact: Jeff Bramhall; jeffrey.bramhall@gmail.com, 617 669 5056

Wyman, Powers Tops in Gloucester

The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester closed out the first weekend in the Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series presented by Verge in style with two barnburners. The Elite Women’s race was once again dominated by Helen Wyman (Kona/FSA Factory Team) while Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) made a late move to shake Tim Johnson (Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld.com).

The grounds were dry for most of the day at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. The temperatures were lower – only reaching the upper-50s with high winds coming in off the ocean. The prior day’s mud had largely dried out and the Sunday course offered racers a unique set of challenges, including a never-before seen sand section along the shore of Cape Ann with a 33 stair climb back to the main venue. In years past, Gloucester has been praised for its beautiful venue; this year’s edition took advantage of every inch of it.

The tide was coming in

Elite Women

As usual, Gabby Day (Renner Custom Cyclocross) came off the line with a huge burst of speed, shortly before the first bend, she was overtaken by Andrea Smith (LadiestFirst Racing). Smith, coming off her best career result as the runner-up in Saturday’s edition, aimed to come a step higher on Sunday. Smith’s high pace strung the field out in the first couple of minutes of racing, leading into the runup. Once the women emerged from the lower level, Helen Wyman had taken up her preferred position – on the front. A self-described “reformed road racer,” Wyman was able to put her skills to use on the longer straightaways and fast corners. Behind Wyman, a group of three emerged as the main chasing group – Smith, Day and Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld.com’s Nicole Duke. Duke, in a replay of Saturday, made contact and rode with Wyman through the middle laps of the race. Wyman, who seems to only get stronger as the race pushes on, was able to shake free of Duke and soloed in for victory. Duke was, by this point, well clear of all challengers and cruised in for another second on the weekend.

Mo Bruno Roy, out of the saddle

Behind, the fight for third was between Duke’s teammate, Kaitlin Antonneau, Smith and Day. Smith had been riding with Day for much of the race, but began to come unglued as the British racer held the pace high in hopes of a podium before her return to Europe. Antonneau recovered yet again from a poor start to move towards the front group. She made contact with Smith, but was never able to reach Day who held on for third.

On the final lap, Smith and Antonneau traded leads repeatedly with Antonneau edging the local hero for fourth. Smith’s fifth place following her second place on Saturday sets her up well in the quest for victory in the Shimano series. Appropriately though, on her final race in the US, Wyman was able to do her sponsors at Shimano proud by pulling on the Shimano series jersey. Wyman makes her return to Europe by the time this makes press, but she gave her strongest indication that she would be back in 2012 – New England cyclocross would love to have her back.

Bazin, Field, Powers, Heule

Elite Men

Jeremy Powers came into Sunday looking for revenge on the weekend. He had led Swiss Chanp Christian Heule (Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld.com) for most of Saturday’s race but couldn’t keep the Swiss racer in check in the finale. He knew Tim Johnson would be hoping to turn around his fortunes from Saturday in hopes of winning yet another Gloucester. He knew the Cannondale men outnumbered him with Johnson, Heule and Driscoll, all of whom are capable of a Gloucester victory. But he didn’t care. He was determined to get back to the top step.

After Heule, wearing the white Shimano Series leader’s jersey instead of his Swiss red and white, was the first off the pavement, it was Tim Johnson who would set the pace. Johnson has always been a strong starter and today was no different, he was racing like a new man after yesterday’s disappointment. Behind him a group quickly formed of Powers, Nicolas Bazin (Big Mat/Auber93), Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) and Ben Berden (Stoemper/Ops Ale). The pace set by this group was so high that it seemed unlikely that anyone would be able to make contact.

Big crowds up the Mazda run-up

Field made a solo attempt to catch Johnson with five laps to go. He was about halfway through the twenty-second gap when a child crossed the course tape and collided with the British racer. Field wound up on the ground, mildly injured but afraid of potential damage. After a cursory check of self and bike, Field found it best to pull the plug, a truly sad end for such a successful campaign in the US.

With Field out of the picture and Bazin falling off the pace, it was Powers, Heule and Berden as the chase. Jamey Driscoll was dangling only a few seconds down, but was never able to make contact with the group. As it became clear that Johnson had every intention of going solo for the final five laps, Powers and Berden began to try to close the 25-second gap. Heule, playing the role of teammate to a T, sat comfortably on Powers’s wheel. The gap slowly came down under Powers’s force and once it was down to just over ten seconds, Powers attacked the chase group with all he had. Hitting the pavement with two to go, Powers caught and attacked Johnson. “I knew Tim was going really well. I had to go full gas and not look back if I was going to win,” said Powers following the race. With Johnson on the ropes, Powers had to ride on the rivet and cleanly for the final two laps. Coming into the final lap, Powers had an advantage of ten seconds on his former teammate, with Johnson closing in fits and starts, hanging on the rubber band. Powers would not relinquish the lead, despite some heckling from the pit area, and triumphantly came across the finish line to wild cheers from the crowd.

Johnson at high tide

Johnson crossed the line second to a similar fanfare of the winner. The third slot went to Ben Berden who gutted his way past Heule in the final few turns.

Zach McDonald (Rapha/Focus) came across 7^th as the winning U23. Manny Goguen (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage) was second U23 ahead of Luke Keough (Champion System p/b Keough Cyclocross).

By virtue of a second and a first on the weekend, Powers was able to pull on the Shimano Series leader’s jersey from our friends at Verge. McDonald also picked up a new shirt by leading the U23 division.

Verge NECCS Fields

Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Team) edged Nate Morse (cyclocrossworld.com) for the first two positions in the Amateur Men’s race. Chandler Delinks (cyclocrossworld.com/CYCLOWHAT) had his second third place on the weekend.

Ellen Noble won the Amateur Women’s race, narrowly beating out Emma White (NYCross.com) with Lori Cooke (Cycle Lodge) third, as well as first Master.

The Women’s Podium: Duke, Wyman, Day

New England legend Mark McCormack (Clif Bar/Pactimo) soloed to victory in the 35+ race while teammates Jonny Bold and Kevin Hines rounded out the podium.

Paul Richard (cyclocrossworld.com) took top honors in the 45+ race with Mark Gunsalus (Clif Bar/Pactimo) outsprinting Sam Morse (Corner Cycle) for second.

Tim Groesbeck (CCB) continued his winning ways with the 55+ field, leaving David Goodwin (NCC) and Bill Sawyer (Mid State Cycling Club) behind.

The 10-14 Juniors saw Michael Owens winning over Donnie Seib (bikeman.com) and Jimmy Maurer (Charm City Cyclocross School).

Racing for both the Shimano and Verge Series continues next weekend, October 8 and 9 at Roger Williams Park, right in the center of Providence, Rhode Island, with the Providence Festival of Cyclocross presented by Interbike. In true New England fashion, there will be a lot of great events to accompany the bike race. More details will come during the week, so stay tuned.

About the Shimano New England Pro Cyclocross Series Presented by Verge: The 2011 Shimano Series includes eight races in four venues: The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester, Oct. 1 & 2 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass.; The Providence Cyclocross Festival Presented by Interbike, Oct. 8 & 9 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I.; The Cycle-Smart International, Nov. 5 & 6 at Look Park in Northampton, Mass.; and The NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Dec. 3 & 4 in Goddard Park in Warwick, R.I. For more information visit www.NEPCX.com.

About the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series: The Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series includes fifteen races in eight venues. The opening weekend is in Williston, Vermont on September 17^th and 18^th with the Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend. The following Saturday, September 24^th brings Nor’Easter Cross at the Nor’easter Festival in Burlington, Vermont. The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester comes next on the 1^st and 2^nd of October followed by the Providence Cyclocross Festival presented by Interbike on October 8^th and 9^th.  Rounds 8 and 9 bring the series back to New Gloucester, Maine for the Downeast Cyclocross weekend on the 22^nd and 23^rd of October. The series hits the home stretch on November 5^th and 6^th in Northampton, Massachusetts for the Cycle-Smart International. After a two-week break, the series pays its annual visit to Sterling, Massachusetts for Tom Stevens’s Bay State Cyclocross on November 26^th and 27^th. The series finale comes the next weekend with the NBX Gran Prix of Cyclocross. For more information, visit http://www.cycle-smart.com/neccs

Heule leads Powers through the start/finish.

The stage was set at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts for a showdown between some of the best cylocross racers in the world. The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester or New England Worlds, as it’s come to be known locally, is one of the cornerstones of America’s cyclocross schedule and, as such, was the perfect venue to debut the Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series presented by Verge. Today’s race, a UCI Category 1 event saw a who’s who of racers on this side of the Atlantic. Several former and current national champions toed the lines as well as numerous members of national teams.

The weather for the day started off ominous as the temperature hovered around the mid 50s F and periodic rain was falling. Course designer Tom Stevens changed the layout and added some great new features that had never before been a part of the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester. New for this year included a set of stairs leading right through the beer garden and a flyover.

Back again were some of the favorite features – the sinews across the hillside, the run up and the sand pit. For the earlier races of the day, the course was wet and greasy with some sections of standing water. By the end of the day though, the sun had shown itself and the course firmed up, becoming the extremely fast and technical course for which Gloucester is known.

Wyman leads Smith through the runup.

Elite Women

The Elite Women had an extremely deep and talented field toeing the line, hoping to pull on the first-ever Shimano Series jersey. A torrid pace was set from the gun with British Champion Helen Wyman (Kona/FSA Factory Team) taking the holeshot and her compatriot Gabby Day (Renner Custom Cyclocross) taking over the lead as the women headed towards the sea wall. When they returned to the venue, Nicole Duke (Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld.com) had taken to the front and put a few bike lengths behind her. Behind, Wyman had taken up the chase ahead of Day, LadiesFirst Racing teammates Andrea Smith and Crystal Anthony, Duke’s teammate and US U-23 women’s champion Kaitlin Antonneau and Laura Van Gilder (C3 p/b Mellow Mushroom).

Wyman has gone 8 for 8 in the US.

As this large group began to splinter, Wyman and Smith emerged at the front, chasing down Duke. Wyman was the first to make contact and used her power on the flats to put pressure on Duke, while Duke was able to apply the pressure in the technical sections. While the two battled at the front, Andrea Smith continued to press on in the way that has made her a favorite among the fans in New England. Smith’s tenacious style began to net gains as Wyman found herself briefly tangled in the course tape and Smith made contact with the British Champion. Smith and Wyman continued to press on, putting Duke into difficulty. Duke eventually came off the pace of her companions and, with two to go, Wyman started to attack. Smith, displaying patience and strength, rode within her limits and held as closely as she could to Wyman, stretching her gap behind to Duke. Smith was unable to regain contact with Wyman and the British rider crossed the line first for yet another victory in her American experience. She’s now won eight consecutive races in the US and will hope to make it a perfect trip tomorrow at Gloucester. Smith, for her part, netted a true breakout performance with her second place. Clearly elated at her performance, Smith crossed the line with her hands up as though she had won. Duke held on and crossed the line third ahead of her teammate Antonneau for third. Gabby Day crossed the line fifth on the day.

Said Wyman of Smith after the race, “she was just riding incredible today.” Obviously pleased with picking up such a high profile victory, Wyman was quick to praise the organizers of the race for putting together a course of this quality and the fans of cyclocross in New England for being so friendly, supportive and involved. Wyman’s victory allowed her to don the Shimano Series leader’s jersey.

Heule takes the victory.

Elite Men

The Cross Clash came back to its home turf with Tim Johnson (Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld.com) and Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) finally making the return to New England racing as members of different teams. Johnson brought with him the Swiss Champion, Christian Huele as well as Vermont’s own Jamey Driscoll. Powers came with U-23 phenom Zach McDonald and the pair was prepared to pick up a big win in front of a close-to-home crowd. Lining up with them were Belgians Ben Berden (Ops Ale – Stoemper) and Tim Van Nuffle (DCM-GB vorselaar), Canadians Mike Garrigan (Lapierre Canada) and Craig Richey (Renner Custom Cylocross), Frenchman Nicolas Bazin (Big Mat/Auber 93), Dane Joachim Parbo (Challenge Tires) and British racer Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles). Also from the US were Barry Wicks (Kona) making his first New England appearance of the season along with Cyclocrossracing.com’s Tristan Schouten and New England’s workingman’s champion, Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage).

Jesse Anthony representing World Bicycle Relief.

One of the biggest stories of this year’s edition of the Great Brewers Bran Prix of Gloucester was the presence of Jesse Anthony (Kelly Benefits Strategies). Anthony, who grew up only a few minutes from Gloucester is retiring from racing cyclocross this year and was using Gloucester to go out with a bang. His racing is to benefit World Bicycle Relief and he’s using his stature as a leader among the local cycling community to enact a greater change in the world.

Canadian Mike Garrigan came off the start line on a mission, despite a third row start, he not only took the holeshot, but put a few bike length onto the rest of the field through the first few corners. “He’s one of the fastest off the line,” said countryman Craig Richey, “at World Cup races where he’s starting in the middle or the back, he’ll always be in the first twenty wheels through the holeshot.” Ian Field, Barry Wicks and Tim Johnson joined Garrigan while Jeremy Powers was nowhere to be seen as a poor start had left him languishing in the third group on course. Anthony came to the group at the front for a couple of laps but was quickly dropped and replaced by the Swiss Champion, Christian Heule. Not long after Heule joined the group, a third Cannondale p/b cyclocrossworld rider came forward in the person of Jamey Driscoll. With the full team represented, gamesmanship began and Tim Johnson launched an attack with four to go, covered by Powers while Heule slowed the chase. Johnson, while still on the attack, fell victim to a flat tire, which, in the wake of his injury from last week, took a bit of the wind out of his sails. Johnson having fallen back and with Driscoll falling from the pace, it became a race of four men – Heule, Powers, Field and Belgian Ben Berden. The group of four shuffled and reshuffled itself and Powers and Heule found some space. The two came through the bell lap only a few seconds ahead of Field and Berden, but it was a gap that couldn’t be closed as Powers had the throttle fully open. Powers kept the pressure high through the last lap while Heule, clearly going full out, clung to his wheel. Coming through the sand just before the final turn, Powers’s wheels got a little squirrely and he was forced to lighten up for only a couple pedal strokes. This slim advantage was all Heule needed, the Swiss rider came around Powers in the final meters to take victory. A few seconds behind, Field, who had led Berden for the bulk of the race, held on for third. Driscoll came across the line for fifth ahead of Schouten and Bazin. Zach McDonald beat out Wicks for eighth and victory in the U23 group. Heule and McDonald will both have the honor of wearing the Shimano Series jerseys provided by Verge Sport.

The Men’s Podium: Powers, Heule (and family), Field

Verge NECCS Fields

Once again the Amateur Men’s field was dominated by the Junior 15-18 subset with the victory going to Peter Goguen (Team CF). Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cross Team) came from an extremely poor starting position to narrowly edge Chandler Delinks (cyclocrossworld.com/CYCLOWHAT?) and Chase Dickens for second. Of these four, only Delinks was not a junior.

The Amateur Women’s field also saw the domination of Juniors as Ellen Noble and Emma White took the first two steps on the podium. Christina Birch from MIT took third. Kathy Sarvary of Blue Steel Cyclery picked up the victory in the Masters 35+ division.

Kevin Goguen (Team CF) beat out Donnie Seib (bikeman.com) and Jimmy Maurer (Charm City Cycling LLC) in the Junior 10-14 race.

Brian Wilichoski (cyclocrossworld.com) continued his domination of the Masters 35+ field with another win today. Second place went to cyclocrossracing.com’s Curtis Boivin. Todd Bowden (Expo Wheelmen) came across third ahead of Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle), Mike Magur (Verge Sport) and Kevin Hines (Corner Cycle).

Erik Gutbier (Clinton Cycling Club) won the Masters 45+ race ahead of Jeff Molongoski (Joe’s Garage). Paul Richard (cyclocrossworld.com) edged the elder Donnie Seib (bikeman.com) for third.

Tim Groesbeck (CCB) picked up a Gloucester win by beating Bill Sawyer (Mid State Cycling Club) and Barry Doubleday (Cycle Lodge) in the 55+ field.

Racing continues Sunday morning with the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series fifth round events taking place in the morning and round two of the Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series presented by Verge.

About the Shimano New England Pro Cyclocross Series Presented by Verge: The 2011 Shimano Series includes eight races in four venues: The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester, Oct. 1 & 2 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass.; The Providence Cyclocross Festival Presented by Interbike, Oct. 8 & 9 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I.; The Cycle-Smart International, Nov. 5 & 6 at Look Park in Northampton, Mass.; and The NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Dec. 3 & 4 in Goddard Park in Warwick, R.I. For more information visit www.NEPCX.com.

About the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series: The Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series includes fifteen races in eight venues. The opening weekend is in Williston, Vermont on September 17^th and 18^th with the Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend. The following Saturday, September 24^th brings Nor’Easter Cross at the Nor’easter Festival in Burlington, Vermont. The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester comes next on the 1^st and 2^nd of October followed by the Providence Cyclocross Festival presented by Interbike on October 8^th and 9^th.  Rounds 8 and 9 bring the series back to New Gloucester, Maine for the Downeast Cyclocross weekend on the 22^nd and 23^rd of October. The series hits the home stretch on November 5^th and 6^th in Northampton, Massachusetts for the Cycle-Smart International. After a two-week break, the series pays its annual visit to Sterling, Massachusetts for Tom Stevens’s Bay State Cyclocross on November 26^th and 27^th. The series finale comes the next weekend with the NBX Gran Prix of Cyclocross. For more information, visit http://www.cycle-smart.com/neccs

#gpgloucester Half Moon Beach

How to Enter the Contest:

• Download the Free iPhone app Instagram from the iTunes App Store and create an account.
• Post an original Gran Prix of Gloucester-related picture to Instagram and tag:  #gpgloucester #cyclocross
• Photos must be from this year, and directly related to the Gran Prix of Gloucester. You do not have to attend the race to win the grand prize.
• Contest Ends Monday, October. 3, 2011 at 11:59:59pm EST.

Grand Prize:

• One (1) grand prize winner will receive the ultimate GP Gloucester Swag Prize Pack, including:
• An official GP Gloucester T-shirt, GP Gloucester Poster print, Mad Alchemy Gran Prix of Gloucester Embrocation, Pedro’s Mini Pit Kit.
• The Grand Prize winner will be chosen the week of October. 3, 2011 and announced on gpgloucester.com.
• The winner will be notified with a comment on their Instagram picture asking them to email host club Essex County Velo their contact information.

#gpgloucester embrocation

Contest Restrictions:

• Don’t submit copyrighted photos. Photos containing copyrighted material will be disqualified
• Entries deemed vulgar and offensive will be disqualified.
• This contest is open to residents in the U.S. only

Start shooting!

Gran Prix of Gloucester Warming Embrocation by Mad Alchemy

Mad Alchemy, a local company specializing in embrocations for cyclists, has produced a special Limited Edition blend in homage to what it touts as it’s favorite race. The Gran Prix of Gloucester Warming Embrocation mix is available online from the Mad Alchemy site or for sale at the GP Gloucester 1 & 2 October at Stage Fort Park.

Owner & Founder Pete Smith is a Essex County Velo alumn and is happy to support his former club’s premier event.

A portion of all online sales goes to two Gloucester non-profits: The Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association and the Gloucester Writer’s Center.

Contact: Richard Fries, Richard_Fries@hotmail.com, 781.888.7272

Shimano Launches Cyclocross Initiative with Series Sponsorship

New England Sponsorship Creates Nation’s Richest ‘Cross Series

BOSTON (July 12, 2011) – A pioneer in developing components for cyclocross, Shimano America announced today its sponsorship of the UCI sanctioned New England Professional Cyclo-cross Series.

“Shimano prides itself on the values of culture and history,” said Penina Bush, senior manager at Shimano America. Having long sponsored the UCI World Cup, the World Championships, and regional series in America, Shimano recognized the heritage of New England cyclocross. “Shimano places great values on culture and history. We are honored to be aligned with the NEPCX to help strengthen the ‘cross scene. New England’s culture, history and passionate followers are something we identify with as a company and as passionate cyclists. We look forward to our involvement for years to come.”

The Shimano New England Pro Cyclocross Series Presented by Verge will include eight races with considerable heritage in a region famous for cyclocross, the steeplechase of competitive cycling. Those venues will include Gloucester, Mass.; Providence, R.I.; Northampton, Mass.; and Warwick, R.I.

“Shimano recognized the power of the New England market in cyclocross,” said Richard Fries, marketing and communications director of the Shimano Series. “We are known for the quality of our riders, our venues, and our market. In looking to launch a cyclocross-specific component group, Shimano selected New England as the ultimate proving ground.”

The eight-race series is one of just three American cyclocross series sanctioned by the UCI. All events have UCI status with two, Gloucester and Providence, featuring Category 1 races. With Shimano’s backing, the series will offer more than $50,000 in prize money, including more than $10,000 for the overall series payout. Shimano has committed to the series for three years.

“We have thousands of ‘cross racers within a few hours’ drive of these venues,” said Paul Boudreau, promoter of the series opener in Gloucester, one of the most fabled UCI events in America. “With gasoline around $4 a gallon, we’re happy to offer so many competitors – and spectators – a chance to see world class competition that does not break the bank.”

The Shimano Series sprung from the Verge New England Cyclocross Series, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious series. Verge will remain committed to the series as presenting sponsor.

“This is like watching your baby graduate,” said Michael Magur, president of Verge and long time supporter of cyclocross. “These races, these venues, these promoters are going to take American ‘cross to new heights.”

About the Shimano New England Pro Cyclocross Series Presented by Verge: The 2011 Shimano Series includes eight races in four venues: The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester, Oct. 1 & 2 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass.; The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Presented by Interbike, Oct. 8 & 9 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I.; The Cycle-Smart International, Nov. 5 & 6 at Look Park in Northampton, Mass.;  and The NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Dec. 3 & 4 in Goddard Park in Warwick, R.I. For more information visit  NEPCX.com.

EVENT NAME

Gran Prix of Gloucester 1 | Gloucester, MA C1 | 1 October 2011
Gran Prix of Gloucester 2 | Gloucester, MA C2 | 2 October 2011

Providence Cyclo-cross | Providence, RI C1 | 8 October 2011
Providence Cyclo-cross | Providence, RI C2 | 9 October 2011

Cycle-Smart International 1 | Northampton, MA C2 | 5 November 2011
Cycle-Smart International 2  | Northampton, MA C2 | 6 November 2011

NBX Gran Prix 1 | Warwick, RI C2 | 3 December 2011
NBX Gran Prix 1 | Warwick, RI C2 | 4 December 2011

Stay tuned to the NEPCX website for news & updates.