Fort Collins, CO (October 13, 2012) - On a day that featured changing weather and conditions all day long, Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) and Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) showed cyclocross fans the same winning form that has been on display so far this season. Both claimed victory and important C1 points at Day One of the SmartWool Cup p/b FC Bikes in front of huge crowds.

The Single Speed race was claimed by Russell Stevenson (Boulder Cycle Sport) - making him the first ever single speed rider to wear the USGP Series leaders jersey ahead of Craig Etheridge (Raleigh Clement) and Dan Porter (e2 Cycling).

In the Master's 35+ Race Mark Savery (Trek Cyclocross Collective) finished third behind reigning Masters World Cyclo-cross Champion Pete Weber and his Boulder Cycle Sport teammate Brandon Dwight to retain his lead on the Series overall.

In the Junior 17/18 race Tyler Schwartz claimed the Series lead with a strong 5th place ride behind Ian McPherson (Boulder Junior Cycling), Maxx Chance (Clif Bar) and Garrett Gerchar (Boulder Jr. Cycling).

In the 45+ category, Mark Legg Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) extended his series lead by finishing ahead of Jeff Winkler (FasCat Coaching) and Jon Cariveau (Moots).

The women's elite race was once again dominated by Katie Compton - who was pursued aggressively by Fort Collin's hometown Olympic hero Georgia Gould (LUNA). The battle for third through 10th was exciting - animated by a number of Optum/Kelly Benefits riders who shook up the normal cyclocross pecking order. The battle for third ultimately was won by Gould's teammate Teal Stetson-Lee followed by Canadian rider Pepper Harlton (Juventus), Julie Krasniak (Rapha FOCUS) and a surprise Carmen Small (Optum) in her cross debut.

The elite men's race looked at first to be a Ryan Trebon (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com) gallop. But a missed cleat on a descent cost Trebon the race as a surging Jeremy Powers surged across what had been a 20 second gap to catch Trebon with under two laps to go. Behind him the battle for third waged, with Danny Summerhill (Garmin-Chipoltle) trading blows with Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement). Berden out-sprinted Summerhill to claim the 3rd spot on the podium in what was one of the most exciting moments of the day.

Racing resumes Sunday, October 14th with amateur racing beginning at 8am. The Elite Women race at 2:45pm and the Elite Men go at 4:00pm.

Photo credit Djean Smaic.

The Trek US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Greenware® and WD-40 Bike is a four weekend, eight race series comprised of the Planet Bike Cup in Madison, WI, The Derby City Cup, in Louisville, KY; The SmartWool Cup in Fort Collins, CO; and the Deschutes Brewery Cup in Bend OR. They represent the deepest, strongest, and fastest cyclocross fields in a series format on this side of the Atlantic.

In 2012 the USGP is comprised of four C1 UCI races and four C2 races for the professional riders. The USGP categories are comprised of Elite Men, Elite Women, U23 Men, UCI Jrs. 17/18, Single Speed, Masters 35+ and Masters 45+. In addition each weekend features a full schedule of Kids Clinics, Amateur Categories and Expo.