The 2024 TREK USCX Series C1 opener at Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross took place at Fallon Park in Roanoke, VA. As the premier UCI C1 & C2 cyclocross series in North America, the series kicked off with top talent from both the USA and Europe, including racers from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Go Cross is the season opener, offering fans an early look at their cyclocross heroes. The weather began with a cool breeze and overcast skies but turned hot in the afternoon, with the UCI Elite Women's and Men's fields racing under the sun during the warmest part of the 85-degree day.
At the start of the race, Lauren Zoerner (Competitive Edge Racing) grabbed the hole shot. By the time the women reached Meg's Mountain on the first lap, the field had begun to split, leaving a leading group of five: Sydney McGill (Cervelo Orange Living), Helen Clauzel (Van Rysel Racing Team), Caroline Mani (Groove Off Road Racing), Manon Bakker (Crelon/Corendon Race Team), and Katie Clouse (Steve Tilford Racing Foundation). They maintained a solid gap as they began lap two, with McGill setting the pace.
Clouse lost contact with the lead group at the start of the third lap, leaving the remaining four to battle it out. Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Racing Foundation) was chasing after missing the earlier split, but the leaders had already established themselves. McGill and Clauzel broke away from Mani and Bakker in the third and fourth laps, securing their positions on the podium. Mani launched a big attack before the flyover in lap four, distancing herself from Bakker and locking in third place.
As the race progressed, Clauzel made a decisive move on Meg’s Mountain during lap five, overtaking McGill and securing her win with a 27-second lead.
Andrew Strohmeyer (CDX Racing) took the lead early, with Kerry Werner (Groove Off Road Racing) and Scott Funston (Cervelo Orange Living) chasing but unable to reduce the 35-second gap to Strohmeyer. By lap five, Strohmeyer, Funston, and Werner still held the top three positions, with Curtis White (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing) leading the chase, followed by Dylan Zakrajsek and Cody Shelton of Competitive Edge Racing.
White managed to overtake Zakrajsek and Shelton for fourth place and continued to close in on the leaders. However, despite the crowd’s encouragement, he couldn’t catch up to the front, and Strohmeyer maintained his lead to the end.
Katie Clouse (Steve Tilford Racing) took the hole shot on Sunday, leading a group that included McGill, Bakker, and Clauzel. Caroline Mani, who finished second the day before, joined the lead group in the second lap after breaking away from Lauren Zoerner, who was stuck in no man’s land. Raylyn Nuss was chasing hard but never managed to connect with Zoerner.
By lap three, the leading group came back together, with McGill pushing the pace. Clauzel took control by the end of the lap, splitting the group with a big effort. McGill remained in second place, with Clouse and Bakker falling behind by 7 seconds.
With two laps to go, Clauzel continued to lead, while McGill held second, and a battle between Mani and Bakker for third unfolded. On the final lap, Mani edged out Bakker, securing third place, while Clauzel won again.
Scott Funston took the lead from the start, with Curtis White close behind, showing improved form from Saturday. Andrew Strohmeyer, Saturday’s winner, was also in the front group. By the end of the first lap, the leading group expanded to include Jules Van Kempen, Cody Scott, and Dylan Zakrajsek.
As the laps went by, the lead group grew, with 12 riders by lap six. Strohmeyer made a strong move to split the group, taking Funston and Werner with him. Curtis White and Owen Brenneman caught up to them with four laps to go, forming a lead group of five.
Strohmeyer attacked again with two laps to go, establishing a 14-second lead over Werner. Despite Werner’s chase, Strohmeyer maintained his gap, taking the win. Marcus Shelton attacked on the final climb to secure third, with Funston in fourth and Brenneman finishing fifth for the second day in a row.
Photo Credit: Bruce Buckley
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