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Hélène Clauzel (Van Rysel Racing Team) and Andrew Strohmeyer (CXD Trek Bikes) continued their strong seasons in the Trek USCX Series over the weekend by winning the UCI C1 level races at Charm City Cross.

The race weekend was the third of four in the USCX Series.

From the gun in the women’s race, Sidney McGill (Cervèlo/Orange Living) took the hole shot and Hélène Clauzel caught on a few wheels back. Within a few turns, Clauzel and Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon) were at the front driving the pace, clearly more comfortable on a course that had started out very heavy with peanut buttery mud, using their superior, Euro-honed handling abilities. By the end of lap two, Clauzel and Bakker were alone in front, though Bakker was visibly not as comfortable and struggling with the pace.

Charm City Cross 2024 C1 Race — Manon Bakker finished second. (Photo: Bruce Buckley )

Both riders took pits early as mud was heavy and clingy, clogging tires and drivetrains. It quickly became clear Clauzel was driving her bike better as she distanced Bakker initially by 7 seconds, and a lap later by 15. Her form was flawless in the challenging conditions — coming from four dry and dusty races — and she looked much more at home and at ease than anyone else.

Behind in the chase, Caroline Mani (Groove Off Road Racing) also looked better than last week in Rochester, again seemingly a testament to her Euro experience in these types of heavier conditions, and she moved clear of the chase to slot on third.

Behind, the chasers of McGill, Clouse, Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing) and Maghalie Rochette (Canyon) all appeared under strain in the conditions, body language clearly indicating they were pushed to their limits more, as they fractured and continued to lose time.

Over the remaining few laps the situation remained the same — Clauzel looking technically flawless in front; Bakker struggling just a bit but using her power to remain in 2nd; and Mani in 3rd, using her experience to navigate the course well.

Charm City Cross UCI C1 Men’s Elite

The men’s race saw conditions continue to dry, as much less mud was becoming visible on bikes and drivetrains. The course had tacked up, so while not as fast as the first two stops of the series, the presence of potentially game-changing heavy mud and super slick conditions had nearly evaporated. There were certainly some sections that were pretty slippery, but it wasn’t the mudfest that it could have been.

From the gun, Andrew Strohmeyer was clearly on a mission, taking the hole shot and never relenting. An early spill on lap 1 on an innocuous turn saw him briefly relinquish the lead, but it took only a few turns before he was back in the driver’s seat.

Eric Brunner (Competitive Edge Racing), making his USCX debut, was quick to sense the danger and got on the wheel of Strohmeyer and the two moved ahead of the rest, including Scott Funston (Cervelo Orange Living), Dylan Zakrajsjek Competitive edge Racing), Curtis White (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing), Matteo Oppizi (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing), and the rest.

Brunner hung on the pace for a little over two laps before he succumbed to the relentless pressure. Watching Strohmeyer’s body language, it was clear he was going much deeper, much earlier, than he had so far in the series. Head down, mouth wide open, shoulders rocking, he looked a bit labored clearly intent on blowing it up early. Whether it was a show of strength or an attempt to test the Pan Am and national champ early, it was causing significant damage.

Brunner was soon off the pace, with Funston clearly settled into a groove. It was easy to see he had no choice but to come off the throttle to preserve himself, and hope for the best later.

By halfway or just past, Funston made the catch and pass of Brunner, who clearly had to back off as well, not having the same amount of racing and speed in his legs just yet.

The second half of the race played out in the same format: Strohmeyer continuing to push the pace, again his body language showing the tell tale signs he was all in to simply go as hard as possible. Eventually he distanced everyone enough that the outcome became inevitable. Funston did a good job to hold steady for second, and Brunner limited his losses to settle into third.