Berden drops Krughoff to win Boulder Cyclocross Series opener

[updated 9/17/2012]

For Ben Berden of the Raleigh Clement Cyclocross team, Sunday’s cyclocross race win at Valmont Bike Park seemed like a warm-up until he fired on all cyclinders with less than three laps to go and dropped Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport) to finish with a solo victory.

Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport) chasing Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement) in Valmont Park

Berden caught and passed Krughoff on the back-side of the course during lap 1 in the venue where he won the Boulder Cup last year. The two rode together for most of the race with Berden leading. Then Berden just decided to go faster. He sailed up the 5280 run-up steps, taking them two at a time.

In a few days, CrossVegas contenders will be keeping their eyes on Berden.

Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement) in Valmont Park

Berden’s trading his Belgian home for Boulder for three and one-half months to benefit from the multide of training partners and the altitude.

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Boulder Cyclocross Series Race 1 Men’s Open Results

1  Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement)

2  Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport)

3  Ken Benesh (Feedback Sports)

4  Robin Eckmann (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized)

5  Tim Allen (Feedback Sports)

6  Brady Kappius (Clif Bar)

7  Spencer Powlison (Plains to Peaks)

8  Chris Case (Feedback Sports)

9  Jesse Goodrich (Juwi Solar)

10  John Klish (Feedback Sports)