A state better known for its yacht racing, Rhode Island will host this weekend's Verge New England Championships Cyclo-Cross Series finals with the W.E. Stedman Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross on Saturday, and the Castor's Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross on Sunday. This event will be preparation for the following weekend's Liberty Mutual US national championships as well as a race-heavy end to the six-race Verge NECCS. With top riders from all across the US flying in to get a final shot of racing before Nationals, overall Verge NECCS winner's will be decided in Warwick on Sunday
Coming into the Rhode Island "double dip" Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) maintains a slim 15 point series lead over four-time defending Verge NECCS champion Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar). While Johnson and McCormack concentrate on racing each other for the Verge NECCS crown, non-title contenders Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai), winner of the final USGP race, Barry Wicks (Kona), winner of USGP #5, and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) may well throw a few spanners into the overall points chase. Under-23 Series leader Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar) has clinched his Verge NECCS title and appears likely to finish in the top three in the elite men's points as well.
