Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com's Tim Johnson claimed his third US professional national cyclocross championship earlier today in Bend, Oregon.
Teammate Jeremy Powers set a furious pace from the start, taking the hole shot and quickly opening up a small gap to the first chasers. With Johnson closing and hometown favorite and defending champion Ryan Trebon just off Johnson's wheel, Powers crashed on an off-camber section and dropped back to fourth.
Johnson held a 4-5 second gap to Trebon for a few laps mid-race, then steadily pulled away in the later laps while the positions for the final podium spots went up for grabs. By the finish, Johnson had built his advantage up to 24 seconds, allowing him to fully soak up his third pro national championship win.
Powers and final Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com member Jamey Driscoll faced each other in a two-up sprint for the final (fifth) podium spot, with Powers taking it at the line.
The victory wraps up a dominant North American season by the Cannondale-backed team, who now shift their focus to Europe. Powers and Driscoll will head immediately to Belgium and take the start line in some pre-Christmas races. After the new year comes, Johnson will join his teammates for the final two World Cup races and the World Championships.
Tim Johnson and Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com race and win aboard the Cannondale CAAD9 Cyclocross bicycle… the winningest 'cross bike in the USA!
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