New England Crit Week got off to a great start in Greenfield, Massachusetts on Sunday. The Verge Sport leaders jerseys were bestowed upon Cole Archambault (Green Line Velo driven by Zipcar) - who successfully defended his 2016 win - and Regina Legge, also of Green Line Velo driven by Zipcar.
Regina Legge and Cole Archambault, leaders of Verge Sport New England Crit week after the Greenfield Crit. Darcey Moore Photo
About 1/3 of the way into the Elite Men's race, Archambault and three other riders (Ian Clarke/CCB Velotooler, Thomas Barnett/ERRACE p/b DSO Manufacturing and Michael Landry/CT Cycling Advancement Program) fought their way off the front of the field, eventually catching what was left with eight laps remaining on the fast, one-kilometer(ish) course in Greenfield. From there it was Green Line Velo and CCB battling to get their riders to the best position, with Archambault ending in the best spot - enough time to get a victory salute on his way to the top step of the podium and into the first Verge Sport leader's jersey. Clarke finished second, Barnett in third.
The Elite Women's race started with several moves off the front, the most promising containing Legge's teammate Sarah Shipley (who earlier in the day won the Women's 3/4/5 race) and Emma Bast (Zubaz Racing). Bast eventually spent ten laps off the front on her own, before being absorbed by the field as it looked to end in a field sprint. Legge opened her sprint up early, winning with daylight between second place Ashlyn Woods and third place Erin Faccone (pedalpowertraining.com).
Verge Sport Team Competition
Men's Team Leaders - Chainheart Cycling Development Darcey Moore Photo
Women's Team Leaders - Green Line Velo driven by Zipcar Darcey Moore Photo
Chainheart Cycling Development - a four man, U23 team out of the Southeast - had all four of their racers scoring points, and as a result are the Men's Team Overall leaders after Greenfield.
Regina Legge's victory led the way for Green Line Velo driven by Zipcar to claim the Women's Team Overall after the first day of New England Crit Week.
The team leaders can be identified with the colorful Verge Sport custom leaders socks - making them easy to pick out of the field (helpful for spectators, racers, and event staff alike).
butcherbox.com Most Savage Rider
The Most Savage Rider awards - containing steaks, beer, and other goodies from butcherbox.com went to the previous mentioned Emma Bast in the Elite Women's Race on account of her time spent suffering, solo, off the front.
The award in the Elite Men's Race went to Matthew Shaffer (Grinta! p/b Best Buddies Challenge), as he started the season as a Category 5 racer, and ended up 7th (in the second chase group, off the front) in the Men's Pro/1/2/3 race.
Matthew Shaffer, Most Savage Rider Darcey Moore Photo