US cyclocross national champion Andrew Strohmeyer (CXD Trek Bikes) emphasised “racing smart” as he outduelled Pan-Am cyclocross champion Eric Brunner (Competitive Edge Racing) for a double victory on Sunday in Waterloo, Wisconsin, winning the C2 contest of Trek CX Cup and securing the overall title for the US Cyclocross Series (USCX).
Maghalie Rochette (SRAM/Seeker) went back-to-back at both days of Trek CX Cup and sealed the elite women’s overall in the series. The Canadian held off Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon) on the final half lap to earn her seventh of eight USCX races.
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Strohmeyer and Brunner came into the final USCX event tied for the lead in the men’s overall standings, due to Brunner’s C1 victory on Saturday. The finish on the final day would tip the scales.
“I knew the places where attacks were going to happen and I knew where he [Brunner] was strong and where he felt good on the course, so I was ready for it. Today was just about being smart and not waste energy when it didn’t need to be used,” Strohmeyer told organisers at the finish.
Ten riders rode together at the front for the opening two laps until the foursome of Strohmeyer, Brunner, Jules Van Kempen (Team Winston Salem-Flow) and Tyler Clark (Caledon Hills Armada) created separation.
By lap six, it was a two-rider showdown, and Strohmeyer was ready for his moment on the back side of the course, what he considered “the hardest section”.
“I knew he was going to attack on the hardest section of the course, which is from the Secret Bar, then over the flyover to the barriers. Yesterday, when he attacked there, I couldn’t follow. Today, I was right there on the wheel,” Strohmeyer said.
After matching the acceleration on lap six, Strohmeyer attacked with two to go and held on for the victory. Jules Van Kempen (Team Winston Salem-Flow) took the third spot on the C2 podium, and…
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