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The fight for the holeshot in the women's 11-12 race. © Cyclocross Magazine

The fight for the holeshot in the women’s 11-12 race. © Cyclocross Magazine

Austin, TX- The whole of the United States was well represented at the 11-12 Junior Women Race. Riders from big local Texas teams, including Mellow Johnny’s Cyclocross Team, and Team Super Awesome attempted to get their presence felt. Riders hailed from Oklahoma, North Carolina, the Northwest, Colorado, three states of the Midwest, and the East Coast. It was truly a coast-to-coast battle at a young age.

Lizzy Gunsalus demostrated remakable skills on the slick course, winning the Women's 11-12 Championship. © Brian Nelson

Lizzy Gunsalus demostrated remakable skills on the slick course, winning the Women’s 11-12 Championship. © Brian Nelson

Sofia Gibiete of Littleton, CO took the holeshot in the 11-12 race, making her mark on the pavement in the two lap race, but it was Lizzy Gunsalus of Dudley, MA who controlled the race once it hit the mud.

The off-camber hills and run-ups proved little challenge to Gunsalus, who found lines to ride everywhere while the field behind her struggled to stay on their feet while they ran. When asked how she was able to handle the rough conditions, she answered: “It helps when you live in New England!”

“Cyclocross is a lot different than mountain biking or other biking,” she said when asked to describe the sport, “A lot of getting off your bike.” She certainly didn’t have to get off her bike much today, though. And that bike? It was a borrowed bike. Gunsalus’ father promised her a new ride if she won the title.

Second place finisher Lauren Zoerner (Alpha Bicycle Co. Vista Subaru) was gracious in her second place. “I really wanted to get first, but I got second, which was till better than I’ve ever done before.”

Junior Women 11-12 – 2015 Cyclocross National Championships Photo Gallery:

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2015 National Championships, Junior Women 11-12

PlaceBibLastFirstTeamLicenseCity STTimeGap
180GUNSALUSLizzy403124Dudley MA21:30
291ZOERNERLaurenAlpha Bicycle Co.- Vista Subaru362527Highlands Ranch CO22:431:13
379GIBIETESofia418563Littleton CO23:131:43
484METTLERJenniferNorthStar Development388904Chanhassen MN24:072:37
583MCKEEMckenna457751Vancouver WA24:573:27
676BENNETTKerenEvolution Jr. Devo Team413796Lenoir NC26:214:51
788ROSSERAnnaliseRad Racing NW392573Olympia WA26:325:02
889SCHAFERKatherineVerdigris-Village CX Team378878Barrington IL27:295:59
982LONGReaganCincinnati Cyclocross449190Cincinnati OH28:176:47
1087RADEMACHEROliviaLionhearts Junior Racing367604Loveland OH28:216:51
1185PETERSONErikaNorthStar Development418958Minneapolis MN31:5210:22
1293TUPPERVallen400842San Antonio TX@1Lap
1378CLINEKayaBoulder Junior Cycling388725Boulder CO@1Lap
1486PIZZOPiperBicycle Sport Shop Cyclocross T386320Austin TX@1Lap
1590VARENHORSTShannonOKCX430690Mustang OK@1Lap
1692WAYMANNia459129Austin TX@1Lap
1781HOUSTONMiriamTeam Super Awesome416577Austin TX@1Lap
DNS77BLACKEllieMellow Johnny's Cycling Team237331Austin TX