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For full coverage, schedules and information on the 2012 Cyclocross National Championships at Badger Prairie County Park in Madison, Wisconsin, visit our 2012 Cyclocross National Championships homepage.

Gina Hall repeats as National Champion, this year for 45-49. © Tim Westmore

Gina Hall repeats as National Champion, this year for 45-49. © Tim Westmore

VERONA, WISCONSIN—  With the largest field of the day so far, the Masters 45-49 and 50-54 Women took to the course at 11:30. Jennifer Maxwell (Van Dessel Factory Team) took the holeshot in the 45-49 field, which ran 24 deep. Among the racers, several including Dorothy Wong, Julie Lewis-Sroka, Lauri Webber and Christina Probert had done the Women’s Singlespeed race the day prior.

After one lap, Gina Hall (Cal Giant Cycling) had taken the lead, followed seconds behind by Antonia Leal (Planet Bike). Behind them, a group of three powered through the start/finish together, led by Julie Lewis-Sroka (Lake Effect Cycling Team).

With two to go, the top two stayed the same but New Jersey racer Stacey Barbossa (Elite Endurance Training Systems) came barreling across the line in third spot.
Halfway through, it seemed apparent that racing the day before had only served to help the ladies on course, with Lewis-Sroka and Lauri Webber both sitting in the top ten.

Hall, Leal and Barbossa maintained their lead, and the two races simultaneously on course began to overlap after three laps, rendering it almost impossible, certainly difficult, for the announcers and spectators to tell the races apart.

Masters Women 50-54
In the 50-54 race, Kris Walker (The Contender Club) defended her 2010 title, although the victory was not without drama. After establishing a thirty-second gap, Walker tangled with the field in front of her (at one point she was in fifth place in the 45-49 field). “There was a girl in the next field who kept riding in front of me, and you just can’t do that when Cathy [Walberg] is chasing you.” Walberg (Topeka, Kansas) caught Walker with only half a lap remaining, erasing a twelve second deficit at the bell. “Ironically,” Walker said, “Cathy got tangled up in that same rider, and I was able to get away on the pavement, although I knew she was close because I could hear her supporters telling her to sprint. I just put my head down and charged.”

The Pocatello, Idaho rider is a family doctor and “swim mom” when she’s not winning multiple cyclocross championships. “It helps that the season is so short, so I can do most of my work during the summer months.”

Video Interview with Gina Hall:
[youtube G4nwpTH9uI0 580 380]

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Women 45-49

PlaceNameCity, StateTeam
1Gina HALL (1 - Cat1)Orinda, CACalifornia Giant Cycling
2Antonia LEAL (1 - Cat2)Waukesha, WIPlanet Bike
3Stacey BARBOSSA (2 - Cat2)Rutherford, NJElite Endurance Training Systems
4Karen HOGAN (2 - Cat1)Louisville, COTeam Kappius
5Katrina (Trina) BAUMSTEIGER (3 - Cat1)San Luis Obispo, CATeam Rambuski Law /Team Rambuski Law
6Geraldine SCHULZE (3 - Cat2)Cincinnati, OHBio Wheels Racing
7Shannon GIBSON (4 - Cat1)Durango, COStan's NoTubes Elite Women's Team
8Lauri WEBBER (4 - Cat2)Newark, DE
9Jeanne FLECK (5 - Cat1)Proctor, MNVelo Duluth
10Lori COOKE (1 - Cat3)Pembroke, MACycle Lodge
11Michele BLISS (5 - Cat2)Boulder, COTeam Kappius
12Kelly PATERSON (2 - Cat3)Troy, MIWolverine Sports Club
13Elizabeth SHELDON (6 - Cat2)Washington, DC
14Dorothy WONG (6 - Cat1)Altadena, CAThe TEAM /The TEAM - SoCalCross
15Jennifer MAXWELL (7 - Cat1)Washington, DCVan Dessel Factory Team
16Katina WALKER (3 - Cat3)Tully, NYCrankskins.com
17Julie LEWIS-SROKA (4 - Cat3)N Royalton, OHLake Effect Cycling Team/Team Lake Effect
18Monique KARLEN (7 - Cat2)Madison, WIBrazen Dropouts
19Jean LUCAS (5 - Cat3)Leawood, KS36 Racing
20Darcy TIGLAS (1 - Cat4)Loveland, CO
21Julia CASALS (6 - Cat3)The Plains, VAVan Dessel Factory Team
DNSKaty CURRANHerndon, VAEvolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster
DNSChristina PROBERTMurrieta, CAThe TEAM
DNSSusan SHAWFenton, MICyclefit Sports Club/CX Bones

Women 50-54

PointsCity, StateTime 
1Kris WALKER (1 - Cat1)Pocatello, IDThe Contender Club/CONTENDER BICYCLES
2Catherine WALBERG (2 - Cat1)Topeka, KS
3Karen TRIPP (1 - Cat3)Deerfield, NHBlue Steel Cyclery
4Deirdre GARVEY (1 - Cat2)Boulder, COBRAC
5Susan PRIETO (2 - Cat2)Boulder, CO
6Patricia KAUFMANN (3 - Cat2)Whitefish Bay, WIMy Wife Inc
7Nancy HEYMANN (2 - Cat3)Highland Park, ILHigher Gear- Gear Head Cyclocross Team
8Kari MYRLAND (3 - Cat3)Oregon, WIBrazen Dropouts/Brazen Dropouts Cycling Team
9Marni HARKER (4 - Cat2)Washington, DCVan Dessel Factory Team
10Lynn PITSON (4 - Cat3)Salisbury, NCCarolina Masters
11Kathleen PORTER (5 - Cat3)Cedar Falls, IATwisted Spokes Racing Team
12Kathryn SCHAUS (1 - Cat4)Chippewa Falls, WIPlanet Bike
13Sherri THOMPSON (2 - Cat4)Louisville, KYRogue Racing Project