Ellen Noble (Trek Factory Racing) won out of a field sprint on Tuesday night in downtown Exeter, New Hampshire at the 35th Exeter Classic.
The women's race stayed mostly together, and the hundreds of dollars of primes offered to the field kept the pace lively but nothing got off the front. Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom/Van Dessel) - racing Exeter for the first time in her decorated career - first appeared at the front of the race with three laps to go as she started marking the Trek rider. But it wasn't to be - Noble kept herself at the front and out of trouble, opening up her sprint on the slight rise before the finish and making it across the line with enough daylight for an enthusiastic celebration. Defending Exeter - and VERGE Sport New England Crit Week - Champion Regina Legge (Green Line Velo) rounded out the podium in third.
The men's race played out similarly - with big cash primes (including a $557.75 crowd prime won by Velocio Northeast's Mike Morse) - lining the racer's pockets but the field staying together.
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) went into Exeter fourth overall in the VERGE Sport standings. He was hungry for points and the leader's jersey by winning both point primes at the 20 minute and 40 minute mark of the race.
The field was all together in the final lap, and as they came into sight, Myerson began winding up his sprint as the field fanned out around him. Great form for Myerson - fresh off of his Master's Nationals Win - and a bike throw got him ahead of Danny Estevez (Fusion Cycles/Families Together LLC) and Sam Rosenholtz (TORONTO HUSTLE).
Myerson's mid-race points and his win knocked the jersey off the shoulders of Kevin Goguen (CRCA/Jamison Capital - Cannondale), heading into Beverly with an 11 point lead.
Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom/Van Dessel), Ellen Noble (Trek Factor Racing), Regina Legge (Green Line Velo)
Sam Rosenholtz (TORONTO HUSTLE), Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart), Danny Estevez (Fusion Cycles/Families Together LLC)
Team Leaders
Ellen Noble's Trek Factory Racing and Adam Myerson's Cycle-Smart are the leading teams heading into the third race of the series
Mad Alchemy Spiciest RIDERS
In the mix off the front throughout the night, and recovering brilliantly from a stop in the pit, Michael Owens (Veloselect - Apogee Racing Team) earned the SPICIEST RIDER award for the men's race.
Ashlyn Woods (unattached - someone give this woman a team kit!) was marking Ellen Noble throughout the night and went home with a pocket full of prime money. She animated the race and kept Noble, Van Gilder and Legge on their toes and as a result of her efforts was the women's SPICIEST RIDER.
