Region favorite Stephen Hyde (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) avoided a catastrophic mechanical in the closing meters of his national title chase on Sunday. Hyde had to carrying his bike across the finish line with a broken rear derailleur hanger and a flat front tire to hold off hard-charging Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement) in order to claim the crown at the USA Cyclo-cross National Championships in Hartford, Connecticut.
“This is a 29-year-old goal,” an elated Hyde told race media. “I can’t believe it. I am so excited. This is such a hard course and the guys were just so good today. I knew I was strong coming into it, but a course like this really limits how much you pedal and it really brought out the best in all these guys … I’m glad I stayed away from them.
The Massachusetts native, who finished second last year to mentor and four-time champion Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing), found himself, along with Powers, bogged down in a bottleneck atop Bonk Breaker Hill inside the first two minutes of racing followed by a fall shortly afterward. Powers was never able to overcome the early time deficit, however Hyde remained resilient and bridged the gap to the initial race leaders Yannick Eckmann (Boulder Cycle Sport-YogaGlo), Kerry Werner (Kona Endurance Team) and Danny Summerhill (Unitedhealthcare).
“My big goal was to be the first up that hill and I was and man did I botch it,” he admitted. “I tripped on my bike and everything was going wrong, but I kept it cool and like I said, there is a big speed limit here so I had to take a couple of risks and they paid off.”
While Bonk Breaker cost Hyde in the beginning, three laps later he was able to run the riskier low line on the hill and take the lead over the 24-year-old Eckmann, who chose to ride on the safer route on higher ground.
Celebrations will be short as Hyde now turns his attention toward the world championships in Luxembourg on January 28.
Results
- 1. Stephen HYDE, (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld), 1:05:03
- 2. Jamey DRISCOLL, (Raleigh-Clement), +0:02
- 3. Kerry WERNER, (Kona Endurance Team), +0:31
- 4. Jack KISSERBERTH, (Jam Fund-NCC), +0:56
- 5. Tobin ORTENBLAD, (San Cruz Factory Racing), +1:04
- 6. Yannick ECKMANN, (Boulder Cycle Sport-YogaGlo), +1:33
- 7. Jonathan PAGE, (Fuji), +1:40
- 8. Todd WELLS, (SRAM-Troy Lee Designs Racing Team), +2:49
- 9. Cody KAISER, (Lange Twins-Specialized), +3:57
- 10. Allen KRUGHOFF, (Boulder Cycle Sport-YogaGlo), +4:27
- 11. Jeremy DURRIN, (Neon Velo Cycling Team), +4:31
- 12. Justin LINDINE, (Apex-NBX-Trek), +4:32
- 13. Scott SMITH, (Jam Fund-NCC), +5:32
- 14. Merwin DAVIS, (Cyclus Sports), +5:35
- 15. Bjorn SELANDER, (Borah Teamwear)
- 16. Kevin BRADFORD-PARISH, (Set Coaching)
- 17. Tristan COWIE
- 18. Andrew JUILIANO, (Rock Lobster)
- 19. Daniel CHABANOY, (House Industries-Withings)
- 20. Casey HILDEBRANDT, (The Underground Project)
- 21. Robert MARION, (American Classic Cyclocross Team)
- 22. Eric THOMPSON, (HED p/b Molten Speed Wax)
- 23. Skyler TRUJILLO, (Fort Lewis College)
- 24. Jeremy POWERS, (Aspire Racing)
- 25. Anthony CLARK, (Squid Bikes)
- 26. Dylan POSTIER, (Renewed Cyclocross)
- 27. Jordan SNYDER, (C3-2020)
- 28. Brendan MCCORMACK, (CCB Racing)
- 29. Max JUDELSON
- 30. Sameul O’KEEFE, (House Industries-Withings)
- 31. Michael IHALIK, (J MAC Cycling LLC)
- 32. Tyler CLOUTIER, (Renewed Cyclocross)
- 33. Dan TIMMERMAN, (Stan’s Notubes Elite CX)
- 34. Mike FESTA, (Philadelphia Ciclismo)
- 35. Alex RYAN, (MOB Pro Cycling)
- 36. Jake WELLS, (Stan’s Notubes Elite CX)
- 37. Ryan WOODALL, (Team TGB)
- 38. Andy SCOTT, (Riverside Racing)
- 39. Jules GOGUELY (Apex-NBX-Trek)
- 40. Daniel SUMMERHILL, (Unitedhealthcare)
- 41. Jesse STAUFFER, (Lateral Stress Velo Inc)
- 42. Tim WILLIS, (King Kog)
- DNF Travis LIVERMON
- DNF Dylan MCNICHOLAS
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