Six incredible courses took New England's cyclo-cross scene from the sodden fields of Maine to the snow-blown beaches of Rhode Island. And in the closest points race in its history, Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) edged Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar) for the Elite Men's overall points title in the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series, presented by Cycle-Smart. Johnson brought a perilous 10-point lead into the last weekend of racing in Rhode Island and emerged with the same margin after the sixth and final race, the Caster's Grand Prix in Warwick. Cementing his reputation as a New England 'cross prodigy, Johnson ended McCormack's two-year Verge NECCS reign despite the four-time defending champion winning the Warwick race in a thrilling sprint finish.
With her back against the wall, Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication) saved her best for last, winning the Warwick race and the overall Verge NECCS title in the process. Bruno Roy overtook absent series leader Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) on the final day, but a finish outside the top three would have denied Bruno Roy the overall. A picture of consistency, Bruno Roy podiumed at five of the six Verge NECCS races, finishing second to Bessette on three occasions. Despite missing the final two races of the series due to a European race trip, Bessette still finished second overall.
