- By VeloNews.com
- Published 1 min ago
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (VN) — Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team) won Saturday’s kickoff to the two-day Providence Cyclocross Festival at Roger Williams Park.
Gabby Day (Rapha-Focus) got off to a good start, blasting off the starting grid and into the early lead on the rolling, wind-whipped 3.2km course. But British national champion Wyman quickly took over at the front, trailed by Day and Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com).
Wyman already had a commanding lead going onto the pavement for the start of lap two. Julie Krasniak (Rapha-Focus) had moved into second, but the Kona rider was practically out of sight by the time her pursuers crossed the line some 10 seconds down.
A lap later Wyman had nearly doubled her advantage over a chase containing Day, Antonneau, Krasniak, Meredith Miller (Cal Giant-Specialized) and Lea Davison (Specialized). And despite its numerical advantage the chase was having no luck whatsoever in retrieving the race leader.
With two laps remaining Wyman had a 40-second lead, leaving the others, joined by Crystal Anthony (Cannondale) and Mary McConneloug (Team Kenda-Seven), to race for second.
Bell lap saw Wyman long gone, nearly a minute ahead of the chase, and Antonneau launching a solo bid for the runner-up spot. McConneloug led the remnants of the pursuit as they raced past the pit, but now they were racing for third.
Wyman easily took the win, while Antonneau’s attack was good enough for second.
Editor’s note: Stay tuned for more from the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival.
FILED UNDER: Cyclocross / News / Race Report TAGS: Helen Wyman / providence cyclocross festival
