November 18, 2007 (West Windsor, NJ) –Ryan Trebon (Kona-YourKey.com) and Georgia Gould (Luna) made it a weekend sweep at the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers -- Mercer Cup presented by Knapp’s Cyclery in West Windsor, NJ.
 
On a wet and cold day in New Jersey, the men and women’s field had to contend with rain, wind and slick course conditions in Mercer County Park. The miserable conditions provided a touch of drama and proved to be a key factor in each of the elite contests.
 
Entering the day, a mere four points separated the series leader Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com/Leer/Cannondale) and defending USGP champion Ryan Trebon was victorious in Saturday’s Mercer Cup race. From the start it was
 
Saturday’s runner up Barry Wicks (Kona/YourKey.com) crashed hard after the first turn in the course. Following that mishap, there was a lead group of Johnson, Trebon, Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) Todd Wells (GT), Jesse Anthony (Jamis) and Geoff Kabush (Maxxis). By the end of the first lap teammates Johnson and Powers were able to get a small gap on Trebon but it didn’t last long. Trebon powered to the front and Johnson chased. From that point on it was a two man race.
 
Trebon was had about five seconds on Johnson when he decided to take new bike. Johnson attacked and took the lead. Trebon was able to keep Johnson close and when Johnson crashed on the far side of the course Trebon took the lead and was able to stretch it out for good. With the win Trebon reclaimed the series leader’s jersey heading to the final weekend in Portland on Dec 1-2.
 
The women’s race was equally exciting with multiple lead changes and challenging course conditions.
 
Yesterday’s winner and series leader, Georgia Gould (Luna) faced some stiff competition from the Canadian trio of Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com), Alyson Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood) and Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com). The trio was able to get a gap on the series leader Gould who fell twice in the first lap on the Sele Italia swirl. It didn’t take long for Gould to recover. By the start of the second lap she had caught the leaders. Bessette attacked and Gould chased. Bessette was able to get a sizable gap on Gould. Bessette then fell victim to the slick conditions and fell. Gould attacked and remained ahead for the victory. Gould retains the leader’s jersey she donned yesterday.
 
In the U23 race, there was a change in the leader’s jersey as Bjorn Selander (Ridley) took the win today. Adam McGrath (Maxxis) finished second and Jamie Driscoll (FiordiFrutta) finished third. With his win yesterday and third place finish today Driscoll becomes the series leader. Danny Summerhill (Clif Bar Development Team), the series leader entering the day, ran into some bad luck when he dropped a chain far from the pits. He was subsequently disqualified from the race when it was ruled he switched bikes with a teammate. Summerhill remains in the hunt for the series win sitting in third place overall heading to Portland.
 
Notes
 
The USGP leaders’ jersey’s belong to Trebon (Elite Men), Gould (Women), Selander (U23), Luke Keough (Juniors), Richard Feldman (Masters)
 
The SRAM Most Aggressive Riders were Elite Men: Trebon and Women: Amy Dombrowski  (Elite Sports Boulder)
 
The USGP action continues in two weeks at the Toyota Portland Cup on December 1-2.
 
The Mercer Cup presented by Knapp’s Cyclery races are part of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers -- the premier cyclocross series in the United States. The six race series attracts the best racers from across North America who compete for the series overall championship and an automatic USA Cycling world championship berth. For more information on the USGP, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.