Race Report: 2023 Verge Northampton Cyclocross p/b Cycle-Smart Day 1
Elite race reports and recap videos for Saturday's races at Noho
By: Tanya Boulanova
Northampton, Mass. - The 32nd edition of the Verge Northampton Cyclocross presented by Cycle-Smart kicked off today at historic Look Memorial Park on a fast track with cool, dry weather. 531 racers took the start in various categories from under-15-year-old boys and girls to Elite Men and Women, setting the bar for attendance in New England this season.
The Future is Fast
The Joe’s Garage Elite Women’s race was quickly strung out with a strong start from Greta Kilburn (Green Mountain CX). Kilburn opened up a 7-second lead on Jenna Lingwood (Team S&M CX), Rachel Rubino (Good Friends), and Lilliana O’Donnell (Fincraft Junio Cycling) after the first lap. O’Donnell is a 14-year-old former Junior national champion who extended
Within the first half of the race, Kilburn solidified her lead to over 20 seconds ahead of Lingwood. “I started a bit conservatively and was too late to respond when Greta attacked. [Greta] was the strongest one out there today,” said Lingwood.
Lingwood, hailing from Portland Oregon, broke into solo 2nd in the 2nd lap, but she was eventually joined by O’Donnell before making a last-lap attack for second, with O’Donnell finishing an impressive third in her elite debut.
The Elite Women’s field was a showcase of young talent, highlighting racers to watch for the rest of this cyclocross season and future years.
Kilburn, age 19, is a first-year student at the University of Vermont with experience in cross-country mountain biking and nordic skiing. She started her cyclocross career in the Junior field at Northampton Cyclocross in 2014.
Kilburn took the win 1 minute 19 seconds ahead of Lingwood, with O’Donnell a further 6 seconds behind.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
The Elite Men’s race saw a strong start from Lane Maher (JAM Fund) who stayed in the front group through multiple shuffles. He was joined early by Ethan Delgrasso (Competitive Edge Racing), Nathan Cusack (UVM Cycling), and Caden Freyre (TT Endurance), with a 10-second gap from the chasing group of four.
This was Maher’s second race after a three-month hiatus from injury, and part of a greater return to the sport after racing at the World Cup level as a U23.
Halfway through the 60-minute race Maher and Delgrasso moved clear with the chasing group about 20 seconds behind. Cusack, a close third, lost time with some confusion in the pit, sending him all the way back to 7th.
Maher first raced in Northampton in 2011 as a 10-14-year-old cub Junior and has a lot of experience on the track. “This was probably the fastest that Noho has ever been,” said Maher. “The ground has moisture but it was still very fast and ‘roadie.’”
“We played a lot and never went the same speed on certain parts of the course. People were testing where they were fast” explained Delgrasso. “Lane figured out he was going faster into the woods, and I would catch him on the barriers. I tried to fight to the end. Hopefully I get him tomorrow.”
Maher took the win 5 seconds ahead of Delgrosso and followed by Alexander Scopinich-Burgel a further 27 seconds behind.
With Maher age 23, Delgrosso 19, and Scopinich-Burgel still a Junior at 18, once again the Elite Men’s field showcased future talent as well.
Recap videos from Dirtwire.tv and results are below.
Elite Women Recap Video
Elite Men Recap Video
Elite Women Results
Elite Men Results
