VERONA, WISCONSIN — Kari Studley (Redline) took her second women’s singlespeed Nationals victory today, repeating last year’s comeback win. Behind her, New England’s 17-year-old Ellen Noble (Trek Cyclocross Collective) took home second place, while Wisconsin local Amber Markey took third.
Kari Studley won her second consecutive National Singlespeed Cyclocross Championship after establishing a sizable lead on the first lap. Studley, whose first lap crash at nationals in 2010 kept her out of commission for almost a year, returned last year to take the title she coveted. This year, in her title defense, Studley grabbed the holeshot at the gun, but was quickly attacked by Elizabeth So (Les Petites Victoires) out of Chicago Illinois. As So faded on the main climb, the “Koppen-Badger Hill,” Studley grabbed the lead and grew her lead over chasers Noble and South Lake Tahoe’s Ellen Sherrill (Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/RockLobster.)
“The lighting and the wind,” said Studley when asked what was the hardest obstacle of the day. “It’s really the lighting, it’s just reflecting off the mud and the puddles. I was just glad I stayed upright.”
Noble was able to move into second place past Sherrill who faded in the cold conditions and fight off challenges from Amber Markey (My Wife, Inc.) and Katrina Dowdichuk (Colavita Racing). ”I’ve never raced singlespeed before,” said Noble after the race. “So I didn’t know what to expect. It’s cold, and my face is numb so I don’t know if I’m actually saying anything.” Markey, a hometown favorite, held off Dowdichuck the last lap to finish third for her first Nationals podium appearance.
Studley will take the line later in the week to contest the Masters 30-34 women’s race.
IN THE COWBELL FORUMS:
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