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National cyclocross series wraps up at Jackson Park

Racers competed in the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Series in the season finale at Jackson Park. [PHOTO BY JAMIE ARKFELD]

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 24, 2025

Dry and sunny conditions welcomed racers to the second day of the NCGP weekend at Jackson Park. The race weekend, presented by Hunter Subaru, was the final stop on the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Series calendar. 

The day two race course featured several course changes, including a double-180 transverse on the Collegiate Off Camber and 180 turn to approach the barriers in reverse. The course also brought back the traditional “Wall,” a steep grass ascent with a paved approach. 

The elite women started strong keeping together in the first half of the lap. A small group of 4 composed of Ella Brenneman from CXD Trek Bikes; Lizzy Gunsalus of Marion University and current Pan-American Champion; Jolanda Neff, with Cannondale Factory Racing; and Lauren Zoerner with Competitive Edge Racing, broke away with Brenneman taking the lead into lap 2. 

Zoerner, Gunsalus and Neff kept the pace animated, pushing to shatter the group. Elli Clark of Brevard College and Amelia Shea from Feedback Sports gave chase individually. The leading three eased off the pace slightly heading into three laps to go, staying together for the remainder of the lap, until on the return to the start, Gunsalus clipped a stake and went into the tape. While Zoerner worked to pass Gunsalus, Neff had already taken advantage of the mishap, creating space between herself and Gunsalus on the approach to the finish line. Gunsalus recovered quickly, overtaking Zoerner in her pursuit of Neff. Gunsalus reunited with Neff coming into the first off-camber section off the start. 

Gunsalus and Neff remained locked in together throughout the last lap, approaching and riding The Wall together. Gunsalus continued to push, but a late wheel tap in one of the last turns resulted in a dropped chain, allowing Neff to solo to her second victory of the weekend. Zoerner maintained her third position to finish, after a powerful performance during the race. 

The full elite woman’s results can be viewed at https://usacycling.sport80.com/pub/results/events/30621/d/cx/2025-11-23 

In the Elite Men’s race a group including Tom Scott from Marion University, Tyler Clark of Caledon Hills Armada, Tyler Orschel with Pan American Union Racing, Jules Van Kempen with Team Winston Salem, Kerry Werner of Velo Mafia Racing p/b Bikeflights, Tofik Bashir from CXD Trek Bikes, and Cole Punchard with Cannondale Factory Racing led the charge from the start and into the Collegiate Off-Camber on the back of the course. 

Orschel, Clark, and Van Kempen pushed the pace, creating their lead group of three, given chase by Werner, Bashir, and Punchard. Bashir powered away from Werner and Punchard to make contact with the lead group. Punchard also left the Werner group to chase after the lead group, leaving Werner solo in his chase. 

With 5 laps to go, Orschel attacked, leaving Van Kempen, Bashir, and Punchard to give chase. Clark was just off the back of the chase group. Along the backside of the course, Bashir and Van Kempen dropped Punchard, leaving Punchard chasing for the remainder of the lap to rejoin the group. After making contact, Punchard went over Van Kempen and Bashir on the finish straight with three laps to go, giving chase to Orschel. Punchard’s effort brought the group together again. An unfortunate slip by Van Kempen put him on the back foot, leaving Orschel, Punchard, and Bashir in the front. Meanwhile, Werner overtakes Clark, forming a change of two.  

Bashir continued to make his presence known, taking the lead within the front group, and positioning to lead over the barriers with two laps to go. Bashir’s advantage grew as he headed into the bell lap, and help throughout the lap until a fall in the S turns on the return from Collegiate Off Camber towards Pit 2 allowed Punchard and Orschel to make contact and reestablish their group of three. Repeating his attack on the barriers, Bashir attacked to lead into the final barriers, but lost the front position as the group came into The Wall as Punchard and Orschel both made moves to pass Bashir. Punchard was first to final turn on the pavement straight, taking the win over Orschel on day two. Bashir held on to third, with Van Kempen fourth, Werner fifth, and Clark in sixth.