Swiss rider Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing) soloed to victory in the elite women’s race on day 1 of the North Carolina Grand Prix on Saturday. It marked her first appearance at the event since 2022, when she also won the opening day of racing. In the men’s elite contest, Kerry Werner (Velo Mafia Racing p/b Bikeflights), who recently announced he will retire at the end of the season, powered away from his competitors on the final lap to claim his 12th NCGP victory in Hendersonville, N.C.
After grabbing the holeshot, Pan-American champion Lizzy Gunsalus (Marian University), along with Jolanda Neff and Lauren Zoerner (Competitive Edge Racing), opened a gap on the rest of the field heading into the barriers on the first lap. A chase duo of Ella Brenneman (CXD Trek Bikes) and Amelia Shea (Feedback Sports) formed behind the strong trio.
The group of three stayed together until four laps to go, with Gunsalus and Neff gaining time over Zoerner on an off-camber on the far side of the course. With three laps to go, Neff began to push the pace, slowly building a gap over Gunsalus that held until the end.
Neff celebrated her first victory of the cyclocross season, crossing the line 39 seconds ahead of Gunsalus, who took second. Zoerner rounded out the day one podium in third.
The NCGP course featured wide open straightaways into technical turn sequences, off-camber sections, a Belgian stair run-up, The Wall, and paved straightaways.
After a hectic start, the elite men’s field split by the end of the first lap with seven riders, including Werner, Tom Scott (Marian University), newly crowned Canadian champion Tyler Clark (Caledon Hills Armada), Tyler Orschel (Pan American Union Racing), Tofik Bashir (CXD Trek Bikes), Jules Van Kempen (Team Winston Salem), and Nate Gervez (Roanoke College), pulling away.
Clark, Werner, and Bashir took control of the front group, pushing the pace to slowly splinter and pull away, leaving Van Kempen chasing in fourth position. A mid-race mechanical ended Orschel’s race for the day. Clark, Werner, and Bashir maintained their lead despite Van Kempen’s pursuit, trading places throughout the race.
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