Ellen Noble shows the exuberance of a well-earned 2nd place in Saturday's Gran Prix of Gloucester at Stage Fort Park. Photo by Will Matlack
JAM/NCC/Vittoria had a pious start to Holy Week with strong racing by elite team members Ellen Noble, Scott Smith and Jack Kisseberth at the Gran Prix of Gloucester. Noble had an incredible race on Saturday, finishing second in the shadows of Caroline Mani. Noble, Mani and Multiple-time National Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton were at the front on the last lap with a sizable gap to the rest of the riders. Noble attacked up the "super gnarly run-up," but she slipped giving Mani the lead.
"It was intimating to be chased by Caroline and Katie, so I ended up crashing and just tried to keep a cool head," Noble said. "I gave it everything I had to close the gap to Caroline, but it was such a short distance to the finish."
Scott Smith finished 13th in a field of 85 elite men that saw three-time National Cyclocross Champion and JAM Fund Co-founder Jeremy Powers take back-to-back victories on Saturday and Sunday. Jack Kisseberth rallied on Sunday to a 17th place finish. Noble finished 6th on Sunday.
JAM/NCC/Vittoria's development team was also at the Gran Prix with Dylan Belknap-Lerner, Braedan Weller and Mark Hewitt. Coach Al Donahue finished 2nd on the podium both days in the masters race, with fields each day of more than 90 riders.
JAM's pro alum shined over the weekend with Stephen Hyde (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) taking third both days and Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes) taking 11th and 10th. Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Racing) finished 12th and 8th in the elite women's races.
The Gran Prix of Gloucester is part of Holy Week of Cyclocross in New England, which also includes the Midnight Ride of Cyclocross, Night Weasles and KMC Cyclocross Festival. JAM/NCC/Vittoria will be in Providence starting Thursday.