Cannondale team-mates dominate US action

Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com team-mates Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers dominated the first big weekend of cyclo-cross racing in the United States of America for the season. The duo claimed two podium finishes each, with a win a piece at the weekend's North American Trophy races.

Powers was the first cab off the rank, with the rider taking a win at Saturday's Star-Crossed event in Redmond, Washington while Johnson claimed third place behind Ryan Trebon (Kona). "I didn't do any attacking today, I was just sitting there sweeping wheels," said Powers. "Ryan threw down fifty attacks and I was just trying to stay there. I don't have the high-end yet coming off a 7-day stage race."

The Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com team-mates swapped spots for Sunday's Rad Racing GP, with Johnson taking honours in a sprint after a closing Powers wore down second placed Trebon.

Johnson admitted he owes much of his win to his team-mate, which softened Trebon. "Inside three laps to go Jeremy was off the front - we caught him and there was a surge," said Johnson. "We gapped Jeremy off but then Ryan was forced to lead the last two laps, almost the entire way.

"Going into the last lap Jeremy was within 10 seconds so I let Ryan set the pace," he added. "He did a couple of surges, on the climb, but he didn't drop me. That is all I needed to build my confidence."

Johnson and Powers weren't the only winners for the Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com squad at the weekend, with Jamey Driscoll also taking a win at the opening MAC Series round. Driscoll came out on top at the Nittany Lion 'Cross event in Fogelsville, PA, where road sprint specialist Laura Van Gilder (C3 Sollay) wrapped up the elite women's win.

Van Gilder added a second win to her weekend on Sunday, claiming the second MAC Series round - the Charm City 'Cross. Van Gilder's C3-Sollay.com team-mate Michael Gallagher also proved strong on the Sunday, winning the elite men's category.

In Michigan it was Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) that proved the force to be reckoned with at the KTR Michigan Double-Cross. Page claimed victory in both Saturday and Sunday's races, while Canadian Natasha Elliott (Emd Serono/Stevens) took the double victory in the elite women's category.