Lyne Bessette Tops All in "Home Town" Victory in Gloucester Gran Prix Opener
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Lyne Bessette (Cannondale/LEER/Cyclocrossworld.com) put on a show for the 'home-town crowd' of Massachusetts cyclocross enthusiasts this weekend, leading on the first lap, to pocket a $100 prime; then keeping her distance from a pesky breakaway group of five, to win more than a minute ahead of a strong field of elite women.
Lyne warmed up for her win by racing with the category 2/3 boys an hour before the start of her pro race, saying, "I like to race with men because you always have somebody around you, and that gives me opportunities to learn how to corner, how to pass people, and how to pick a place when you're going to pass."
The breakaway behind Lyne included Rebecca Wellons (Ridley), Amy Wallace (RGM/Richard Sachs), and relative newcomer, Natasha Elliott (Stevens), in what ended up being a race for second place.
Lyne's husband, Tim Johnson, another local favorite, also placed well in the men's division, in spite of rolling a tire. After a quick bike switch, Tim found himself in mid-20th place, but clawed back through the crowd to finish 6th.
