Bob Downs (Planet Bike) takes the 55-59 win at 2013 Nationals. © Cyclocross Magazine
VERONA, WISCONSIN – Henry Kramer (Cal-Giant) took an early lead, riding off of the front – typically a risky move, but in course conditions as uncertain as these, a smart tactic. He was followed by Alan Blanchard (Century Road Club) and Paul Curley. The first lap saw the bulk of the field staying close together, with gaps of mere seconds between them. However, by the second lap, Kramer and Blanchard had established a gap, and a muddy scrum of racers followed behind.
Defending champ Paul Curley ahead of Brad Young hit the deck hard and wouldn’t factor for the title. ©Cyclocross Magazine
Curley had some problems keeping his bike upright, and was relegated farther back in the field by halfway through the race. Blanchard also fell back, and Downs made his move into second spot while Kramer still held an impressive lead. Behind the two leaders, Randy Shields (Hearts Racing Club) chased, and behind him, a group including Curley and Blanchard, as well as John Thompson (Team Plan C), Norman Kreiss (Cal Giant), Brad Young (Woodstock Bike Club), Scott Paisley (MVC/Blue Wheel/Monticello Velo Club), Lennard Zinn (Boulder Cycle Sport) and Russell Thorstrom (Intermountain Cycling).
Three laps in, Kramer was still well away from the rest of the field, with the exception of Downs, who had narrowed the gap to mere seconds. Ten seconds back from the leader, Shields had pulled away from the rest of the pack. There was a large gap, and then Kreiss, Paisley, Thompson and Young struggled to catch Shields to steal away the last spot on the podium.
As the men sailed into their last lap, Downs had closed the gap to Kramer and the two were battling in earnest. Halfway through the lap, the men came into the barriers nearly side by side. Behind them, Shields, Kreiss and Paisley were together again, battling for third.
Tragedy struck for Kramer. A dropped chain in the turns before the pavement allowed Downs to pull away and come in for victory alone, looking very pleased with his success. However, he wasn’t afraid of a sprint on the pavement. He later told Cyclocross Magazine that his sprinting ability was developed during road nationals, and he was confident that he could have won a pavement sprint today. Behind them, a sprint for third took place, with Paisley just edging out Kreiss at the line.
“I live four miles from the course,” Downs confided. “I ride in the snow a lot, so I knew I could handle this well.” He also admitted to watching a lot of Euro races, and planning to play his race like Sven Nys often does: patiently, knowing just when to attack.
Stay tuned for results and photos!
Bob Downs, 2013 Masters 55-59 National Champion Interview:
[youtube 7kiW4L_7KMk 580 380]
Masters Men 55-59 Photo Gallery:
2013 Nationals Masters Men 55-59 Results
| Place | Name | City, State | Time | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert DOWNS | Madison, WI | 0:40:01 | Planet Bike |
| 2 | Henry KRAMER | Menlo Park, CA | 40:29:00 | California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized/California Giant Cycling |
| 3 | Scott PAISLEY | Charlottesville, VA | 40:52:00 | MVC/Blue Wheel/Monticello Velo Club |
| 4 | Norman KREISS | Orinda, CA | 40:53:00 | California Giant Cycling |
| 5 | Randy SHIELDS | Winston Salem, NC | 41:20:00 | Hearts Racing Club |
| 6 | Brad YOUNG | Porter Corners, NY | 41:45:00 | Woodstock Bicycle Club |
| 7 | Russell THORSTROM | Boise, ID | 41:51:00 | Intermountain Cycling Organization |
| 8 | John THOMPSON | Shoreview, MN | 42:08:00 | Team Plan C |
| 9 | Lennard ZINN | Boulder, CO | 42:18:00 | Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 10 | Brook WATTS | Longmont, CO | 42:51:00 | Michelob Ultra - Big Shark Racing |
| 11 | Alan BLANCHARD | Congers, NY | 43:01:00 | Century Road Club Assoc |
| 12 | Edwin RAMBUSKI | San Luis Obispo, CA | 43:07:00 | Team Rambuski Law/Team Rambuski Law |
| 13 | Thomas PREHN | Boulder, CO | 43:15:00 | Boulder Running Company Cycling Team |
| 14 | William KUSTER | Anoka, MN | 43:16:00 | |
| 15 | Dag SELANDER | Hudson, WI | 43:20:00 | Team Plan C |
| 16 | Jim GENTES | Soquel, CA | 44:14:00 | buy-cell.com |
| 17 | Paul CURLEY | Taunton, MA | 44:23:00 | Spin Arts Cycling |
| 18 | Geoffrey CHANDLER | Indianapolis | 44:27:00 | Speedway Wheelmen |
| 19 | John ADAMIK | Byfield, MA | 44:27:00 | Riverside Racing |
| 20 | John BLISS | Boulder, CO | 44:38:00 | Team Kappius |
| 21 | William STEVENS | Bolton, MA | 45:18:00 | Spin Arts Cycling |
| 22 | George SMITH | Menlo Park, CA | 45:49:00 | The 99%ers |
| 23 | Glen JONES | Madison, WI | 45:51:00 | Trek Midwest Team |
| 24 | Tom MAHANEY | Marquette, MI | 46:04:00 | |
| 25 | Darryl MATAYA | Mount Horeb, WI | 46:04:00 | MadCity Velo Club |
| 26 | Jeffrey SCHEPPER | Greenwood, IN | 46:39:00 | Speedway Wheelmen |
| 27 | Mark MCGEEN | Waukesha, WI | 46:43:00 | Team Mack Racing Assoc. LTD |
| 28 | Hardwick GREGG | Helena, AL | 47:24:00 | MG & G Racing |
| 29 | Mike BOWN | West Bend, WI | 47:46:00 | |
| 30 | Robert GARNER | Sturtevant, WI | 48:11:00 | V.C. Bikesport |
| 31 | Michael LARSON | Cambridge, MN | 48:12:00 | |
| 32 | Bruce PORTER | Woodbury, MN | 49:57:00 | St Paul Bicycle Racing Club |
| 33 | James WHITE | Pocatello, ID | 51:06:00 | Idaho Cycling Enthusiasts (ICE) |
| 34 | Jeffrey BROWN | Boulder, CO | @1Lap | Real D-Amgen Masters Cycling |
| 35 | Randall SILVA | Albuquerque, NM | @1Lap | Nob Hill Velo |
| 36 | Paul SADOFF | Santa Cruz, CA | @1Lap | Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/Rock Lobster Cyclocross |
| 37 | James HOPSON | Iowa City, IA | @1Lap | Mercy-Specialized/Iowa City Cycling Club |
| 38 | Jeff HUSER | Albuquerque, NM | @1Lap | |
| 39 | Mark CONSIDINE | Iowa City, IA | @1Lap | Goosetown Racing Club |
| 40 | Chris BLACK | San Luis Obispo, CA | @1Lap | Morgan Stanley /Specialized/Morgan Stanley Cycling Team |
| 41 | Marshall LEININGER | Canton, OH | @1Lap | Stark Velo |
| 42 | John REIMBOLD | Carbondale, IL | @1Lap | Heckawee |
| 43 | Don CARR | Wauwatosa, WI | @1Lap | ISCorp Cycling/NCSF |
| 44 | Peter ACKERMANN | Whitefish Bay Wi | @1Lap | |
| 45 | David MCCOLLUM | Cedarville, IL | @2Lap | |
| 46 | Thomas WILSON | Shaker Heights, OH | @2Lap | |
| 47 | Andrew MISHLOVE | Glendale, WI | @2Lap | Hampshire Cycle Club |
| 48 | Michael MERULLA | Iowa City, IA | @2Lap | Iowa City Cycling Club |
| DNS | Steven VORDERMAN | Fort Wayne, IN | Don Galligher-DRT Consulting | |
| DNS | Scott REYNOLDS | Pipersville, PA | Guys Racing Club | |
| DNS | Joel ROTH | Chicago, IL | ||
| DNS | Mathew BAROLI | Troy, MI | Wolverine Sports Club | |
| DNS | Craig BUSCHE | Wauwatosa, WI | Velo Trocadero | |
| DNS | Brad DEMOTT | Shelbyville, IN | Gray Goat Sports | |
| DNS | Bruce LOS | Holland, MI | ||
| DNF | Mark WOLOWIEC | Davisburg, MI | Flying Rhino Cycling Club | |
| DNF | Jeffrey CRAFT | Madison, OH | Team Lake Effect/Lake Effect Cycling Team | |
| DNF | David COAR | Ft Wayne, IN | Men of Steel Racing /Men Of Steel Racing LLC |
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