Bessette, Johnson Dominate Warwick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2006

CONTACT:
Milliman Media Group
NECCS Coordinator
(603) 340-1580
media@necyclocross.com

The calendar may say December but the weather said otherwise at Sunday’s final round of the 2006 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series, the Caster’s Cyclocross in Warwick, Rhode Island. The ’06 Series closed out just as it began, with temps in the 50s and Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Tim Johnson (Cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com) stamping their authority all over the Elite Women’s and Men’s events. Besette’s win, her fifth in five Series starts, cemented her position as the 2006 Verge NECCS overall champion while Mark McCormack (Clif Shot) took home the overall title for the Elite Men, his fifth in the past six years.

Never one to take the easy way out, Bessette opted to race the B Men’s event just prior to the Elite Women’s race, accumulating a solid 90 minutes of ‘cross racing on the twists, turns, and sandy beach runs of the Goddard Park course. Bessette finished fifth in the men’s race and credited the extended preview of the race course for her flawless performance against the Elite Women. Up-and-comer Deidre Winfield (Velo Bella-Kona) dropped 2005 Verge NECCS champion Mo Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication-Wheelworks) to take second.

“I saw where I could carry speed and what the right way was to go around the turns,” said Bessette. “So I could just sit back on the first lap, knowing I had the course figured out. I made my moves in the corners, which was pretty fun. It was a big deal for me to win the New England Series and it’s a great way to end my season.”

On the men’s side, Series leader McCormack had to hold off the challenge of youngster Matt White (FiordiFrutta) in order to win his fifth NECCS title. White went off the front on the first lap, knowing he only had to finish one spot ahead of McCormack to take the jersey. He was joined by Johnson, who made the pace a bit too hot and dumped White into no-man’s land after three laps. With Johnson dashing off to a convincing win McCormack caught and passed White to wrap up the season-long title.

“Winning the Series was always a season goal for me,” said McCormack, who finished third on the day behind Tristen Schouten (Trek-VW). “I would have liked to win today because I won on this course last year but getting another New England ‘Cross championship really means something to me.”

“I felt pretty good out there,” said race winner Johnson, whose Sunday victory runs his winning streak to three. “Nationals is obviously really important and I feel pretty good going into it.”

Caster’s Cyclocross, Verge NECCS Round #7
Warwick, Rhode Island
Elite Men
1 Tim Johnson (Cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com), 57:35
2 Tristan Schouten (Trek/VW/Michelin) 58:47
3 Mark Mccormack (Clif Bar) 58:50
4 Matt White (FiordiFrutta) 59:21
5 Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar), 59:26
6 Adam Myerson (Nerac.com-International Bike) 59:36
7 Erik Tonkin (Kona) same time
8 Matthieu Toulouse (Maxxis) same time
9 Johannes Huseby (FiordiFrutta) same time
10 Jamey Driscoll (FiordiFrutta) 59:42

Elite Women
1 Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.Com), 41:33
2 Deidre Winfield (Velo Bella-Kona), 41:53
3 Rhonda Mazza (S&M-Vanilla), 42:18
4 Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication/Wheelworks), 42:21
5 Christine Vardaros (Lotto), 42:45
6 Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks/Spin Arts Cycling), 42:43
7 Melanie Swartz (Velo Bella - Kona) 43:40
8 Amy Wallace (RGM Watches -Richard Sachs-Rex Chiu), 44:02
9 Betsy Shogren (FORT Factory Team), 44:20
10 Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication-Kempner), 44:25

The 2006 Verge NECCS is sponsored by Verge Sport, makers of quality cycling apparel, and specializing in custom clothing orders; Cycle-Smart: Solutions for Cycling, personalized coaching for all cycling disciplines; Felt Bicycles, builders of the best bicycles in the world: BikeReg.com, the official registration service of the NECCS, is the solution for all of your online registration needs for cycling events; Greyhound Juice, warming salves and skin care products for all athletes; and Paul Weiss Photo/Video, the NECCS official photographer and videographer.

Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series

• October 14 - Downeast Cyclocross #1 - New Gloucester, ME
• October 15 - Downeast Cyclocross #2 - New Gloucester, ME
• November 4 - Chainbiter 8.0 - Farmington, CT
• November 5 - Cycle-Smart International - Northampton, MA
• November 25 - Bay State Cyclocross - Sterling, MA
• December 9 - W.E. Steadman Grand Prix - S. Kingston, RI
• December 10 - Caster's Cyclocross - Warwick, RI

For more information on the 2006 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series please go to www.necyclocross.com