Wichita Falls, Texas - Jonny Brown scored his most impressive result yet for the Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team Saturday with some help from older brother and Axeon alum, Nate.
The younger Brown thrust both arms in the arm and yelled, "Whew!" as he and his Specialized S-Works Tarmac out-sprinted Grant Koontz (Team Araphoe Resources) to win the Hotter'N Hell Hundred. The 100-mile race in Wichita Falls, Texas, is part of four days of racing that attracts more than 13,000 competitors.
The victory was Brown's third on the season and a team-record 30th for Axeon Hagens Berman. Earlier this month, he won a stage and the overall title of the VIVA! Bahamas Cycling Invitational.
"It feels amazing because it is my first win of the year in the United States," Jonny Brown said. "I am definitely really, really happy. With 12 kilometers to go, Nate and another rider got away. I tried getting across but I wasn't making it. Nate dropped back and brought me up and then pulled us all the way until the last 200 meters because he knew I have a really good sprint on me. I jumped at 200 meters to go and that was it."
Brother Nate (Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team) finished third, five seconds back. He rode for the Axeon Cycling program from 2010 to 2013 before signing with his current WorldTour team. Some helpful advice to his younger sibling came in handy after a breakaway of about a dozen riders formed in the first 20 miles.
"Nate told me to sit out for most of it so I could save myself for the sprint," Jonny said. "I gotta give a huge thanks to him for setting me up perfectly."
(Header photo courtesy of Jonny (left) and Nate Brown.)
