Georgia Gould leads the way at the 2012 Colorado Cross Classic

Georgia Gould negotiates the sand at Boulder Reservoir

Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) took charge of the elite women’s race at the Colorado Cross Classic after Elle Anderson (Minuteman Road Club) and Nicole Duke (Raleigh-Clement) collided early in the first lap. The incident held up most of the field, but Gould’s teammate, Teal Stetson-Lee, managed to swerve around them with what she described as “some kind of magical dance into the tape with my bike.”

Stetson-Lee would overtake Canadian Pepper Harlton in the early laps to establish a clear second. Amanda Miller’s pace set her up for a solid third for her Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies team.

The toughest battle became the race for fourth place between Carmen Small (Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), Harlton, and Amanda Carey (Volkswagen Boise). Carmen Small probably hadn’t imagined she’d pull off the fourth place she went on to earn. In fact, before the race she considered the Colorado Cross Classic a learning opportunity.

Mike Creed pins on Carmen Small’s number

A Durango resident and road racer, Small competed at the USGP in Fort Collins as part of her team’s debut in cyclocross, but is new to the discipline. “I didn’t do any ‘cross last season, but I’ve raced a few ‘cross races the last couple of years just regionally for fun,” Small said, adding, “technically I’m not that good…” She doesn’t train specifically for cyclocross.

Before the start Small picked out Gould as one of the best women in the field, pointing to the Luna rider as a better candidate to respond to a question about how the absence of last year’s winner and this year’s dominant ‘cross woman, Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective), could change the dynamics of the race. Then Small added, “You always go faster when there is someone better in front of you.”

Gould rode in front of the women’s field until the end of the race, methodically increasing her lead with each lap. She raised her arms in a victory salute as she crossed the finish line, happy to end her recent string of second places.

Gould had appeared relaxed before the start, self-assured but somewhat modest about her chances. “I’m hoping to have a good ride,” she said, “but you just never know. Overall, I think just another race under the belt for the season, just a good hard effort, and try to win.” She managed to accomplish all three intentions.

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