Sweeney outsprints Shere but both win their age groups. © Cyclocross Magazine
by Cindy Brennan
Austin, TX – Tove Shere (Sport Systems Mountaintop Cycling) took the charge in the Master Women 60+ race, with Carol Ruckle (Team Redlands) on her heels. In the fray was Danny Summerhill’s mom Frances, showing the crowd where Danny gets his skills from.
The 65+, 70+, and 75+ races started moments later, and by the end of the first lap leader of the 65+ race Maurine Sweeney (Racer X Cycling) had caught 60+ leader Shere.
Maureen Sweeny (Racer X Cycling). © Brian Nelson
The two rode clear of the field, while legend Julie Lockhart (Northeast Bicycle Club) looked poised to lock it up for yet another National Championship in the 70-74 division.
Shere, despite suffering from racing with bronchitis in unusually frigid temperatures, stayed with Sweeney until the bitter end. Sweeney took Shere to the line and won the sprint, claiming a dominant win in the 65+ race. Shere was bested in the sprint, but untouchable in the 60+ race.
The legendary Julie Lockhart chose to ride the hill past the barriers, no small feat for many racers today. © Brian Nelson
Lockhart controlled the 70+ women’s race, winning yet again, as Val Graciela claimed the 75+ victory.
Hear from Tove Shere, who was unaware she won the 60-64 age category until moments after the race:
And from Maurine Sweeney, who bested Tove in the sprint to take the 65-69 win:
Masters Women 60-75+ Groups
| Place | Bib | Last | First | Team | License | City ST | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Women 60-64 | ||||||||
| 1 | 48 | SHERE | Tove | Sport Systems Mountaintop Cycli | 73854 | Albuquerque NM | 33:35 | |
| 2 | 46 | JOHNSON | Sheryl | Blue Rooster/ScanSnap | 412131 | Silverdale WA | 34:47 | 1:12 |
| 3 | 50 | TAYLOR | Glenda | Free State Racing | 59609 | Topeka KS | 35:25 | 1:50 |
| 4 | 47 | RUCKLE | Carol | Team Redlands | 30799 | Redlands CA | 36:01 | 2:26 |
| 5 | 49 | SUMMERHILL | Frances | Alpha Bicycle Co.- Vista Subaru | 203904 | Centennial CO | 36:52 | 3:17 |
| 6 | 51 | ZOLMAN | Bridget | Potomac Velo Club | 270554 | Mechanicsburg PA | 43:07 | 9:32 |
| Masters Women 65-69 | ||||||||
| 1 | 58 | SWEENEY | Maurine | Racer X Cycling | 362731 | Highlands Ranch CO | 33:33 | |
| 2 | 57 | MOREMAN | Janis | Team Bicycles inc | 84651 | Arlington TX | @1Lap | |
| DNS | 56 | IVERSON | Martha | DNA Cycling Masters | 80010 | Durango CO | ||
| Masters Women 70-74 | ||||||||
| 1 | 61 | LOCKHART | Julie | Northeast Bicycle Club (NEBC) | 226695 | Dunstable MA | 32:44 | |
| Masters Women 75+ | ||||||||
| 1 | 66 | GRACIELA | Val | 387028 | Evanston IL | 39:39 |
