Bend Oregon. As the Elite men charged off the line to a thick crowd of fans, Ryan Trebon (Kona) powered in the lead, taking the hole shot with Adam Myerson and Jeremy Powers on his wheel. As Powers slipped by, Trebon eased up slightly, as he told Cyclocross Magazine that he had a tough time getting his legs going in the first lap. Tim Johnson and Chris Jones rounded out the top five early.
Coming around the front side, Chris Jones took the lead with Powers and Johnson following close behind, and Trebon and Wicks forming a formidable wall. The five had a good-sized gap between them and Todd Wells as they came into the bowl, now with Powers cranking on the sharp end. It looked like the race might be a Cannondale vs. Twin Towers shoot out. Wells, Alex Candelario, Jesse Anthony and Tyler Wren formed a chase group behind.
