2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

October 19, 2015

The Big Picture: US Open of Cyclocross Elite Women (Saturday)

Bill Schieken

Veteran cycling photographer, Dave McElwaine, was on hand at this past weekend’s UCI C2 US Open of Cyclocross formerly know as Boulder Cup capturing the action for In The Crosshairs. We start our coverage with the women’s elite field on Saturday. The images below tell the story of Caroline Mani’s dominating performance and all of those who tried to chase her down. All photos © 2015 Dave McElwaine.

Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) took the hole-shot at Valmont Park and led wire to wire. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) took the hole-shot at Valmont Park and led wire to wire.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) leading halfway through lap one on a tricky off-camber section of the course. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) leading halfway through lap one on a tricky off-camber section of the course.
Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Foundation) was having one of her best races to date. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Foundation) was having one of her best races to date.
It was a perfect day for racing on the permanent cyclocross venue at Valmont Bicycle Park. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
It was a perfect day for racing on the permanent cyclocross venue at Valmont Bicycle Park.
Laurel Rathbun (Raleigh Clement) fought hard for her top ten finish today. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Laurel Rathbun (Raleigh Clement) fought hard for her top ten finish today.
There were plenty of mishaps on the off-camber sections of the course. The clumpy grass and dusty conditions added to the problem. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
There were plenty of mishaps on the off-camber sections of the course. The clumpy grass and dusty conditions added to the problem.
Kaitlin Vestal (Feedback Sports) was having a great outing. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Kaitlin Vestal (Feedback Sports) was having a great outing. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Emily Kachorek (Squid Bikes) was having one of her best races of the season. Her kit design always matches the bike she selects to ride. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Emily Kachorek (Squid Bikes) was having one of her best races of the season. Her kit design always matches the bike she selects to ride.
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) running the 5280 Staircase with Georgia Gould chasing behind her. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) running the 5280 Staircase with Georgia Gould chasing behind her.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) riding alone on one of the few singletrack sections of the course. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) riding alone on one of the few singletrack sections of the course.
Kaitlin Vestal (Feedback Sports) having no problem with the long sand pit. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Kaitlin Vestal (Feedback Sports) having no problem with the long sand pit.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) really put on a clinic today. She rode flawlessly throughout the contest. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) really put on a clinic today. She rode flawlessly throughout the contest.
Former Olympian Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) had just returned from a test race on the Olympic mountain biking course in Brazil. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Former Olympian Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) had just returned from a test race on the Olympic mountain biking course in Brazil.
Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Foundation) said she felt strong but had a slight let-up on the final lap. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Foundation) said she felt strong but had a slight let-up on the final lap.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) taking giant steps on the 5280 Staircase. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) taking giant steps on the 5280 Staircase.
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) running the stairs in third place. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) running the stairs in third place.
Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) battling Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) on the steepest portion of the course. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) battling Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) on the steepest portion of the course.
Riders had little problem with traction today as the ground was rock-hard under a fine layer of loose silt. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Riders had little problem with traction today as the ground was rock-hard under a fine layer of loose silt.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) rounding a corner on the back side of the course with two laps remaining. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) rounding a corner on the back side of the course with two laps remaining.
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) owned third place all day. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team) owned third place all day.
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) takes the win on the first day of racing at Valmont Park. © 2015 Dave McElwaine
Caroline Mani (Raleigh Clement) takes the win on the first day of racing at Valmont Park.
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Bill Schieken

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