BANNER ELK, N.C. - The Roanoke College cycling team sent three racers to the 2022 NCCX event on Saturday in Winston-Salem. Ben Cerkovnik was the top finisher for the Maroons in 14th place with a time of 35.19.7. Rafe Johnson was 23rd and Hays Edmunds was 25th.
Race Report by Cerkovnik: "I went in a bit nervous for my second race, but the course looked great, not too much in terms of technicality. Largely just a course where I had to go hard the whole time. Felt good and gave it everything I had at the end."
Race Report by Johnson: "This was my second cyclocross race, but third race overall. Much like all the others so far, I had a blast competing with the other people there! And despite how I'm still quite the novice, I'm starting to notice a few things during my races/rides — Like how my struggle climbing hills carried over from track, or how I can usually catch up to people on dismounts (if I still have some energy). More importantly, I'm starting to learn my current thresholds and limits."
Race Report about Edmunds from Coach Olds: "Hays flatted in the first lap, and we couldn't fix it in time, so he walked the course to the finish line. That's why he finished last. He was in 7th place when he flatted and moving up. He was definitely positioned to do very well in the race. It was very unfortunate he flatted. We will be better prepared for this situation in the future. I'm proud of him for finishing the race and for how he handled the adversity that is so common in cycling."
