Nicole Mertz (ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI) had never raced a single speed bike before, but she didn’t let that little detail stop her from claiming the national title in the Women’s Singlespeed category late Friday afternoon.
The Women’s Collegiate D2 Champion Clara Honsinger felt the Asheville course was similar to the courses back home in Portland, Oregon. “There’s a lot more elevation here, but otherwise it felt just like home.”
Andrew Dillman (Marian University) earned his second Division 1 national title during Friday’s overcast race. The course had only just begun to dry out by the start, but the slippery terrain didn’t seem to pose much of a challenge for Dillman, who claimed a handy victory.
Karen Tripp (Finkraft Cycling Team) took home the gold in Thursday’s Masters Women 55-59 National Championship race after taking a decisive early lead.
An exciting solo breakaway in the last laps won Spencer Whittier (Privateer Cyclocross Chattanooga) the Masters 30-34 National Men’s 30-34 “baby masters” title on a clear but chilly morning in Asheville.
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.
Corey Coogan Cisek (Power Fix CX) won her second Masters 35-39 National Championship, following up on her 2013 win. Seattle’s Tricia Fleischer (Ten Speed Hero) overcame a flat tire to take second place with Kristen Kelsey just eight seconds behind.
Races are won by legs, not bikes, but readers always enjoy looking at the equipment choices of National Champions. Today we take a closer look at the bike that brought Victor Sheldon success and in the coming days and weeks we’ll profile nearly every winning bike here at the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships.
In a sprint finish today Randy Root (Evolution Cycling Club p/b Long & Foster) took his first Cyclocross National Championship, narrowly beating George Smith after a race with many lead changes and unexpected developments.
Clawing his way to the front of the pack from a fifth row start, Victor Sheldon passed 2015 National Champion Craig Cozza (UPMC/Pro Bikes) on his way to victory today in Asheville, his first trip to Cyclocross Nationals.
Racers were left battling for the podium’s lower steps as Matthew Timmerman (Cannonade-Cyclocrossworld.com) controlled the Masters 40-44 National Championship race in Asheville today.
Here’s another look at the 2016 National Championship course. Many folks that have ridden or raced the course in yesterday’s non-championship races have noted its difficulty and various technical features, as well as the fact that there are open places to make passes—or be passed.
We spoke with Catherine Moore (Trek Cyclocross Collective) the 2015 Women’s 45-49 National Champion, this afternoon as she pre-rode the 2016 Cyclocross Nationals course at the Biltmore Estate with her husband and mechanic Ian Moore.
Thinking about the great racing to come this week has us thinking about the gear that folks will be riding on their way to the title. In Austin we saw some interesting bikes and some tried and trued set-ups that propelled their pilots to the podium’s top step.
Larry Miller took to the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship course yesterday, and gave viewers a fine preview of Asheville’s Biltmore Estate cyclocross course …
Many cyclocross fans have been wondering what happened to Cannondale p/b Cyclocross World’s Ryan Trebon after he returned from last season’s injury and started off …
The National Championships has us thinking about past champions and future prospects. Someone that fits both bills, is 20-year old Logan Owen. The ten-time National Champion and reigning U23 title holder has elected to race the Elite Men’s race at this year’s championships.
Gabby Durrin has accepted a full time position as brand Marketing Executive for Neon Velo starting 2016. The role comes with a move back to the UK where both Gabby and Jeremy will work closely with Neon Velo brand at their Hertfordshire based headquarters.
“You still have to adapt though, because there’s no disputing any feature here, get over it or don’t ride. So why all the gushing about how different and difficult things are on this side of the pond? It goes back to the purpose of this camp: excellence.”
The EKZ Crosstour race was a muddy affair, making the course, covered in off camber stretches, a treacherous mess. Watch the full Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s races with English commentary here, and see the full results from Meilen, Switzerland.
Cold temperatures and bright sun greeted the racers at the fifth annual Kingsport Cyclocross Cup. Forty eight racers in the Elite Men’s event, and 31 Elite Women battled for the podium.
Behind THE Barriers may be gone, but Jeremy Powers and SRAM are bringing you The Book of Cross videos.
“On recovery days our rides are always super fun. Today for instance, we had planed to do just an hour of easy riding with some “openers” in the middle to get the legs ready for tomorrow’s Bpost in Baal. We were not even 5 minutes into the ride before there was already some sort of competition going on.”
Four-time cyclocross national champion, Zach McDonald will be finishing out the season racing with Alchemy Bicycles. McDonald will race the 2016 USA Cycling National Championships aboard Alchemy’s Balius carbon frame complete with a SRAM Force 1 drivetrain, Zipp cockpit, and Chris King headset.
“If, like me, you find yourself in a slump half-way through the season, take a break. Ride your mountain bike. Do something different. Put away the training log for a while. Remind yourself how much fun it is just to ride your bike.”
“I was heading into a long straight away with a lot of speed and could see the next group up the road. And as I turned the next corner, I see that the marshalls had opened the course crossing up, and a lone lady stood right in my path.”
There’s more cyclocross on the horizon including the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships and the World Championships at the end of January. But the end of the 2015 has us thinking back over the last 12 months and reflecting on those moments that had the cyclocross community talking.
“This was my very first trip to Europe to race. I had been here before to visit my Grandparents in Germany but I hadn’t done any riding while I was here. Today’s race was in Loenhout and it was a very good day for Team USA. We had four riders in the top ten, and the other members had strong rides too.”
If you didn’t walk away from this year’s SSCXWC in Victoria with a Speedo or tattoo, or simply are eyeing your first (or a new) singlespeed cyclocross bike, today’s New Product Spotlight is for you.
