Rochester CX
“It has been so exciting to get the PRO USCX series underway. Personally, it has been great to see my progression as an athlete but honestly being here with such genuine teammates and a great crew has made it even more enjoyable. I think this weekend showed the potential this team has and to top it all, wearing Steve Tilford’s name in an elite cx race is what it’s all about. ”
Rochester Cyclocross marked the first race of the PRO USCX series and the first cyclocross weekend with the full STFR team together with Joe Schmalz joining the party.
With solid results the week before in a hot Roanoke the team was ready to build on their good form. Saturday saw the first C1 race of the year and a strong lineup to match. A tricky start didn’t stop Nuss fighting back through the pack to grab a 4th, her best C1 result to date, unfortunately the top three of Rochette, Honsinger and Mani had built too much of a gap for Nuss to get on the podium. The Elite Men’s race was just as frantic and fast as the women's. It seemed to be a battle of staying out the pits at the front but Vincent Baestaens rolled away with the win and Werner pipping Hyde to second. Schmalz had a tough starting place at the back and battling through the pack was tough on a fast day but it was great for the team to see Joe back between the tapes.
There was hardly any rain over night so the conditions were the same as day one but with the ‘double trouble’ and ‘jungle’ sections reversed the riders were ready to battle it out again. The same top three as day one, led by Rochette, pulled out in front but Nuss had a strong start and an enthralling battle for the top 5 played out between Nuss, Keough and Clouse. Nuss came home with 5th, making it back to back top 5s and racking up some solid UCI points. The men’s race was another scrimmage with Curtis White back in the mix after a tough day one. Hyde backed up his strong C1 race and this time battled past Werner but wasn’t quite able to pip Baestaens to the line. Even though Hyde didn’t get on the top step his master plan is clear. He has now gone 5th, 4th, 3rd and now 2nd (in that order) over the first two weekends so there is only one result likely at Charm City, see you there!
Race Weekend Gallery
Images and words by Kenza Barton Schlee
