The Big Picture: Supercross Day 2 (Elite Women)

Crystal Anthony swept the women’s elite races at the Supercross Cup, after riding away from the field and taking the win at day 2. Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D. Foundation) and Jenna Greaser (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) fought for 2nd and 3rd over the entire race. Their fight continued to the final meters, with Fahringer holding off Greaser in the sprint for 2nd and 3rd.

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

On the noticeably chilled start-line the usual suspects got premier call-ups, including: Anthony, Greaser, Fahringer, Brittlee Bowman (House Industries/Withings/SimpleHuman), and Kathleen Lysakowski (Joe’s Garage CX p/b BikeReg).

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Course conditions were slightly less sloppy than Saturday, but still warranted mud tires for most racers.

At the start, Lysakowski took the holeshot onto the prologue loop of the course.  © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
At the start, Lysakowski took the holeshot onto the prologue loop of the course. © 2015 John Kavouris. www.johnkavouris.com

Coming back down off the prologue loop and toward the start/finish stretch, Greaser was at work doing what she seems to do best: crushing the start, and forcing an early selection.

On Greaser’s heels: Lysakowski, Katherine Norcott (West Hill Shop) pictured, and behind them, Maximenko, Fahringer, and Anthony.
On Greaser’s heels: Lysakowski, Katherine Norcott (West Hill Shop) pictured, and behind them, Maximenko, Fahringer, and Anthony. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Greaser stayed at the front as the pack wound across the course over the first lap and dipped onto the backside of the course. As the leaders reappeared, Anthony had worked her way to the front and was going full-gas to escape her competitors. Behind her, small groups began to form:

Greaser was able to briefly keep Anthony in her sights, but was unable to match the pace Anthony was setting.
Greaser was able to briefly keep Anthony in her sights, but was unable to match the pace Anthony was setting. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Fahringer and Maximenko pair off and ride together.
Fahringer and Maximenko pair off and ride together. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Within a lap, Anthony had opened up a ~10 second gap on Greaser at one of the run-ups on course, with Fahringer another 5 seconds back on Greaser.

Anthony, head down, still hammering.
Anthony, head down, still hammering. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Greaser, slowly losing ground to Anthony.
Greaser, slowly losing ground to Anthony. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Fahringer, making up ground on Greaser
Fahringer, making up ground on Greaser. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

While Anthony was flying at the front of the race, the chase situation was beginning to get a little more interesting, as the gap between Greaser, Fahringer, and Maximenko was shrinking.

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
At the SRAM stair-set, Anthony still appeared laser-focused, her lead up to 20 seconds.
At the SRAM stair-set, Anthony still appeared laser-focused, her lead up to 20 seconds. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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Meanwhile, Greaser, Fahringer, and Maximenko were all within striking distance of one another. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Coming back down from the higher section of the course involved this lovely, sweeping off-camber turn.Fahringer was cautious with the out-riggered leg, but had passed and was maintaining a lead on Greaser.

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Coming back towards me on course, something looked amiss with Fahringer who was heading for the pits. Adjacent to a fast, sweeping paved section, and requiring an extra turn to enter, even the most efficient pit exchange would incur a decent loss of time.

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Fahringer got in and out of the pits smoothly, but still lost about 10 seconds on Greaser.
Fahringer got in and out of the pits smoothly, but still lost about 10 seconds on Greaser. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Greaser looked like she was digging incredibly deep to maximize her advantage on Fahringer.
Greaser looked like she was digging incredibly deep to maximize her advantage on Fahringer. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Despite Greaser’s best efforts, within another lap, Fahringer had closed much of the gap to Greaser.

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© 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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A half lap later, and Fahringer is still slowly closing the gap. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Back at the front, Anthony continued to deftly navigate the course, and was setting a consistent tempo to easily maintain her 20-second advantage.
Back at the front, Anthony continued to deftly navigate the course, and was setting a consistent tempo to easily maintain her 20-second advantage. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Finally, Fahringer managed to pass Greaser, but would have a hard time opening up any additional distance.
Finally, Fahringer managed to pass Greaser, but would have a hard time opening up any additional distance. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
On the last lap, Greaser was still hanging on to Fahringer at the run-up.
On the last lap, Greaser was still hanging on to Fahringer at the run-up. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

After Anthony rolled in for first, there was a pause to see who would drop down from upper section of course first before the final meters.

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Fahringer still maintained a small lead on Greaser at the sweeping off-camber. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
Over the final meters to the line, Greaser put in one last hard effort to try and beat Fahringer to the line.
Over the final meters to the line, Greaser put in one last hard effort to try and beat Fahringer to the line. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com

Despite Greaser’s final kick, Fahringer would hold her off for the 2nd spot on the podium, with Greaser taking 3rd.

Post race, Fahringer, Greaser and Maximenko (4th) debrief.
Post race, Fahringer, Greaser and Maximenko (4th) debrief. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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Anthony, Fahringer, and Greaser on the podium, with Supercross Cup-provided medal/donuts. © 2015 John Kavouris www.johnkavouris.com
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