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Full 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship coverage can be found right here.

The age group race reports are brought to you in part by Verge Sport.

#CXNats race reports from Wed-Saturday are brought to you in part by Verge Sport.

by Celeste Taylor

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Tanya Bettis (Sport Systems 505 Cycling) managed to edge out defending champion Catherine Moore (Trek Cyclocross Collective) to win her first national title in Thursday’s Masters Women 45-49 championship.

Straight out of the grid it was Cristienne Beam (Tough Girl Cycling) who took the holeshot but Moore quickly moved in to control the lead group with Katina Walker and Kristie Arend (50×15 Cycling) in hot pursuit. Walker fell behind as Bettis, who finished third last year in Austin, blasted her way into the lead group, where she would stay for the duration of the race.

Tonya Bettis en route to the Masters Women 45-49 title at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

Tonya Bettis en route to the Masters Women 45-49 title at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

On the second lap, a slight bobble on some off-camber had Bettis trailing Moore and Arend by a few seconds but it was a gap she was able to close quickly. The three riders traded attack after attack and it was Arend in the lead with Moore and Bettis battling behind her with two laps to go. A sizeable gap saw Walker and Stephanie Uetrecht (Twin Six) fighting to hold off Ali Knutson (SaltAir Cross Fever) and decide the last two spots on the podium.

Arend, last year’s sixth place finisher, was finally able to shake her chasers and create a small gap for herself when her plan of attack was derailed by an unfortunate crash with only one lap remaining. Bettis and Moore blasted by the fallen rider who spent the remainder of the race fighting to make up as much time as possible. Arend was able to close the gap considerably but her efforts weren’t enough to take home anything higher than the bronze.

Tonya Bettis takes the Masters Women 45-49 title at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

Tonya Bettis takes the Masters Women 45-49 title at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

The bell lap saw Bettis leading Moore, though only by several seconds. Moore, racing with an injured hand that will require post-season surgery, mounted several attacks but none of them were enough to overtake Bettis, who won the title by just seconds over the defending champion.

Watch Bettis discuss her race and see full race results below.

2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships Women's 45-49 Full Results

PlNameTeamTime
1Tanya BETTISSport Systems 505 Cycling38:23.
2Catherine MOORETrek Cyclocross Collective38:28.
3Kristie AREND50x15 Cycling39:39.
4Katina WALKER40:02.
5Stephanie UETRECHTTwin Six40:23.
6Ali KNUTSONSaltAir Cross Fever40:32.
7Cristienne BEAM40:49.
8Heidi BECKMilwaukee Bicycle Company Racin40:57.
9Katrina DOWIDCHUKColavita Midatlantic Womens Te41:09.
10Jennifer MAXWELLColavita Midatlantic Womens Te41:14.
11Kelly CHANG41:25.
12Samantha BRODE42:22.
13Sydney BROWNGoldenrod Pastries CX42:24.
14Sarah MATCHETTRace City Cycling43:03.
15Mary COCHRANBike Line43:23.
16Ann KENNEDY43:51.
17Amber AUER44:42.
18Kathryn GOODYRace City Cycling44:53.
19Ann GRONINGERBike Law Cycling Club33:16.
20Jean MILLERSorella Cycling p/b Hincapie Sp34:00.
21Nicole WEISSSound Velo Cycling Club34:24.
22Kendra FOLEY35:28.
23Patty SHOAFHammerCross35:57.
24Julie PAISANT36:11.
25Theresa CURRYCross36:39.
26Cara SCHULTZTeam Bikenetic37:43.
27Michelle HORVATHTrek Greensboro Generals39:59.
28Sherri COZZAUPMC/ Pro Bikes40:05.
29Deb ICEVO241:12.
30Noelle FREDRICKSON28:35.
31Janet TRUBEYNorth Carolina Cyclocross29:43.

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Stay up-to-date on every 2016 USA Cycling National Championship race this week and other Nationals news from Asheville, North Carolina, right here.