The Pan American Championships are at all times a tricky weekend for racers. Athletes ditch their commerce crew mentality and race for his or her nation. Quite a lot of the time, it boils right down to a mixture of Canada and America duking it out on the entrance. For the elite ladies’s race this weekend in Washington, D.C., it was no totally different. Younger gun Lizzy Gunsalus (USA) and Fan Favourite Maghalie Rochette (CAN) gave the cyclocross world a showdown to the road on the DCCX Pan American cyclocross championships.
From the second the whistle blew, the occasion promised fireworks. A nine-woman group broke off the entrance. Everybody knew this was the transfer, and included Maghalie Rochette, Sidney McGill, and rising American power Lizzy Gunsalus—who carved a ten-second hole by the second lap and refused to relinquish it.
Transfer and Counter
Lap after lap, Gunsalus and Rochette marked one another. The course was twisty and unpredictable in spots, particularly within the off-camber on the bottom. Group racing was okay, however it might be greatest to decide on your individual strains. Gunsalus and Rochette fought for the entrance and pulled no punches because the laps ticked on.
Because the bell lap tolled, the 2 had been out in entrance, Gunsalus and Rochette. Now that the ultimate options had been behind them, Gunsalus saved a slight hole on Rochette —a motorcycle size at most, however a bonus. Because the group entered the final winding turns earlier than the pits, Gunsalus saved her hole. The small benefit saved Rochette from passing her earlier than the off-camber pinch level on the highway.
Gunsalus was first to the tarmac and began her dash, emidetly holding off a charging Rochette to the road, in a nail-biter of a end. Rochette was gracious in defeat however clearly examined. McGill claimed bronze, finishing a hard-earned podium.
Ultimate Prime 5 — Elite Girls:
Lizzy Gunsalus (USA)
Maghalie Rochette (CAN)
Sidney McGill (CAN)
McGill Sidney (CAN)
Megale Anna (USA)
This wasn’t only a gold medal—it was a press release. Gunsalus arrived at Pan-Ams as an rising contender, however she left it as a champion. She didn’t shock the cyclo-cross world—she earned its consideration.
Tremendous X Lizzy
Lizzy Gunsalus rides for the CCB Group, who cowl principally highway occasions. For this cyclocross season, the Cannondale-sponsored crew selected the newly up to date Tremendous X as their platform for cyclocross competitors. The body appears prefer it’s modified dramatically through the years, however at its core, the geometery is nearly similar to the Tremendous X of the Jeremy Powers and Stephen Hyde period.
Identical However Totally different
Most notably, the replace (fortunately) to the underside bracket (now BSA-threaded) and the rear wheel now not require a Cannondale Ai dish. The “Tremendous X Lizzy” takes full benefit of those new updates, operating a full Shimano Dura-Ace/Ulterga combine with a Shimano Dura Ace crankset (one thing that wasn’t doable on final 12 months’s mannequin).
For gearing, Gunsalus opted for a good 42/34 double with an 11-34T cassette. This gearing permits her to remain principally within the massive ring the entire time, however with a 34T “bail out” ring for these tremendous punchy bits the place staying on the bike is a big benefit.
For tires, Gunsalus went with the brand new Vittoria/Dugast Small Chicken tubeless tires. The Small Chicken tread was a well-liked one for many of the Vittoria-sponsored professional riders and amateurs. The tread is a pleasant mixture of low rolling and grip on the corners. The small however highly effective tread crawls effectively over roots and tight grass, particularly within the corners.
Rounding out the construct is an Enduro bearing ceramic backside bracket and a Bontrager Aeolus Comp saddle. Gunsalus raced with a bottle (a BIVO bottle, truly), one thing we’re seeing increasingly more of on the new days in North American cyclocross.
Lizzy Gunsalus Cannondale Tremendous X
Body: Cannondale Tremendous X
Shifters/Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 velocity
Deraileur: Ultegra Di2 12 velocity
Rear Deraileur: Ultegra Di2 12 velocity
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed 42/34 customized rings
Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M9200
Wheels: Shimano GRX RX870
Tires: Dugast Small Chicken 33mm tubeless
Bottle: BIVO
Backside Bracket: Enduro
Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Comp
Cockpit: FSA Power 40mm/100mm Stem
Search for Lizzy racing the European cyclocross circuit after the USAC Cyclocross Nationwide in Fayetteville this December. We want her luck and clear rides.
