Gravel Race: New York’s Durty Bikes Series Continues at Prattsburgh Gravel Classic – Cyclocross Magazine

New York’s Durty Bikes Gravel Series returned on Saturday at the Prattsburgh Gravel Classic.

The Prattsburgh Gravel Classic is New York’s second oldest gravel race, with epic racing since 2008. Now a part of the Durty Bikes Gravel Series, the race was also the NYS Gravel Racing Championship sponsored by the New York State Bicycle Racing Association (NYSRBA).

Located in Upstate New York near the Finger Lakes, the Prattsburgh Gravel Classic featured 5,800 feet of climbing packed into 55 miles of racing.

The Durty Bikes Gravel Series is a three-race series that started with last weekend’s Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder, meaning riders were competing for series points in addition to the single-stage gravel glory.

The final race of the Durty Bikes Gravel Series is the Hills of Hightor race on May 4 based in Naples, New York.

Results for the Elite races are below. Click here for results from all categories.

The gravel motos follow race leaders Curtis White, Jeremy Powers and Anthony Clark. 2019 Prattsburgh Gravel Classic, New York. © Anne Pellerin

Elite Women’s Race

Similar to last weekend, a comeback was the story of the day in the Elite Women’s race (not unlike another weekend race).

Last week it was Rachel Andrews, this weekend it was Anne August (Park Ave Racing). An early mechanical by August put her in chase mode for nearly half an hour after getting her bike repaired by the Bike Loft East neutral support following the race on a moto.

Once at the front, August went on to take the win by 43 seconds, capping an impressive gravel racing performance. Ruth Sherman (GGWDW) took second and Emily Flynn (Melo Velo Racing) third.

Elite Women’s podium: Anne August, Ruth Sherman and Emily Flynn. 2019 Prattsburgh Gravel Classic, New York. © Anne Pellerin

“The women put on a brilliant show,” Durty Bikes series director Tony Sylor said. “That course is so hard, and they crushed it. All three of our finishers have been leaders in local racing for years,and it’s an honor to have them setting the bar at our events.”

Going into the final race of the series, Sherman leads the Women’s standings with 204 points followed by August with 201 points and Flynn with 195 points.

Full results are below.

Elite Men’s Race

The Elite Men’s race started with an early flier from a now-retired Jeremy Powers (Pactimo / Fuji / SRAM), giving him the KOM at Mile 10. Last weekend’s 1-2, Anthony Clark (🦑) and Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld), joined Powers to make it a pro cyclocross group of three.

White and Clark went to the line for the second-straight gravel race, with White again taking the win by a wheel. Powers finished third to round out the podium.

Elite Men’s podium: Curtis White, Anthony Clark and Jeremy Powers. 2019 Prattsburgh Gravel Classic, New York. © Anne Pellerin

“It was an amazing display of talent and class,” Sylor said. “After the KOM, these guys rode off the front at a blistering pace for three hours and really left it all on the course.”

Going into the final race of the series, the Hills of Hightor which will take place on May 4, Clark and White are tied for the series lead with 204 points followed by Powers with 200 points.

Full results are below.

Elite Women’s Results: 2019 Prattsburgh Gravel Classic

Elite Men’s Results: 2019 Prattsburgh Gravel Classic