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VERONA, WISCONSIN — In one of the most hotly contended races we’ve seen so far at Nationals, it was Boulder Cycle Sport’s Russell Stevenson who took the win in the frigid cold in the Masters 35-39 race, just ahead of Cal Giant’s Justin Robinson.

Russel Stevenson wins his first title with a Masters 35-39 win. 2013 Cyclocross Nationals.© Cyclocross Magazine

Chris Case (Feedback Sports Racing) took the holeshot with last year’s winner, Brian Wilichoski (CyclocrossWorld) hot on his heels. However, Stevenson says that while his start wasn’t as spectacular as he’d have like, it was at the first long hill that he turned on the gas and broke free of the group, opening a gap almost immediately. Behind him, a group consisting of Wilichoski, fellow New Englander Al Donahue (JAM Fund), Jake Wells and Robinson chased.

The thick mud forced racers into the pits as often as possible, and with 11:30 lap times, it was obvious that the peanut butter mud was slowing riders down. Behind Stevenson, Donahue, Wilichoski, Robinson and Wells battled in earnest for second place and to catch Stevenson, trading blows and making gains in corners and in the pits. However, it wasn’t until two to go that Robinson was able to break free of the group and begin chasing Stevenson in earnest, coming within 10 seconds of him on the last lap.

It was Stevenson, though, who emerged onto the pavement, uncontested and able to comfortably lift his hands in the air in victory as he came through the finish to be greeted by his teammates, including earlier race winner Pete Webber. “That was my plan,” he said when Cyclocross Magazine asked if the early lead was intentional. “I wanted to go out and race my own race.”

It was a satisfying victory after losing to Jonathan Baker in the last seconds in 2010 in Bend, and having an off 2011 season after winning the inaugural Raleigh Midsummer Night Dream race.

Interview with Russell Stevenson:

Masters Men 35-39 Cyclocross National Championships Photo Gallery:

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2013 Nationals Masters Men 35-39 Results

Stay tuned for more photos, video interviews and full results. Tune into http://cxmagazine.com for LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE of the Elite races starting at 1:00 p.m. Central time on Sunday. And don’t forget to enter to win a trip to Worlds courtesy of  Raleigh!

Tune in regularly right here to Cyclocross Magazine’s 2013 National Championship Homepage for the most comprehensive source of Nationals 2013 info. We will be updating this page hourly for race reports, results, photos and videos!