Even before the start of Friday's Masters Women 40-44 race at Lakewood Nationals, the experience of racing hometown Nats was already a special one for Tricia Fleischer (Trek Cyclocross Collective). On Thursday evening, the Seattle resident got to share the stage with Katie Compton at a live podcast session at a local Trek store.
"I don't think I taught her anything," Fleischer said with a laugh about sitting alongside the 15-time Elite National Champion. "That was a bit surprising and intimidating, but I answered all the questions but one without botching them."
Fleischer followed her Thursday evening in the spotlight by taking the start line at Fort Steilacoom Park on Friday with the chance of capturing a national championship of her own. Adding to the experience was the chance to do it in front of a healthy number of family and friends.
"I knew I would have some friends out here, it was the ones I thought would be here," she said.
Tricia Fleischer got the chance to race in front of family and friends on Friday. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Fleischer did her part early on, taking the holeshot and earning an early lead after the first run-up and descent chute.
Tricia Fleischer leads the way down the start straight in the Masters Women 40-44 race. © Cyclocross Magazine
On the flats before the second run-up, another local rider in Kenda Super (Thrive) bridged to make it a local duo at the front.
"I knew that if I could get into the technical stuff first I just wanted to control that," Fleischer said about her fast start. "I'd ridden the practice course here, and I knew it would be hard for some people. I felt confident there so I just wanted a clean shot."
Riders defy gravity and cascade uphill on the first climb of the race. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
The Friday afternoon race was not to be a friendly group ride, with Fleischer opening up a gap on the climb to the top of the orchard and pressing her advantage after the second descent.
Fleischer raced off the front early in Friday's race 40-44 title. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
One lap into the race, her lead was up to 9 seconds on Super. Super, in turn, led Melanie Carter (Feedback Sports) by 16 seconds.
The field is spread out after the long paved starting straightaway. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
In the second and third laps, Fleischer stayed on the throttle and quickly extended her lead. At the bell, she led Super by 1:04. Carter sat another 8 seconds behind the Team Thrive rider.
What a gap! Tricia Fleischer opened up a nearly insurmountable gap midway through the race. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
After two straight races where the race leaders almost gave up last-lap leads, there would be no nerve-wracking moments for the Trek Cyclocross Collective rider. Fleischer cruised to the win and celebrated her impressive Stars-and-Stripes ride.
"I just wanted to ride smart and safe and not ruin my equipment because I need it again on Sunday," she said. "My legs were a little tired out there. So I was like 'Ok, apparently we need to conserve some energy for Sunday.' I just wanted to ride smooth and be clean."
Tricia Fleischer makes a splash in Lakewood. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
And who knows, maybe Compton was watching her age group cohort and picked up a tip or two from the rider who has ridden the Fort Steilacoom course more than once.
"I think [racing here before] took some of the intimidation out of the downhills," Fleischer said. "Those are totally different when you’re on a mountain bike versus a ’cross bike. I think that helped, getting some of the butterflies out a couple of months ago."
Super wrapped up second in the last lap and Carter finished third. Sierra Domaille (Mettle Cycling p/b Leave It On) and Evie Edwards rounded out the wide-angle podium.
The run-up dried out compared to Thursday but is filled with holes. Masters Women 40-44. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
For more from the Masters Women 40-44 race, see the winner interview, photo gallery and results below.
Visit our dedicated 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals page for all of our 2019 National Championships coverage.
You can purchase our race photos from our nightly galleries at cyclocross.zenfolio.com and help support our event coverage.
Tricia Fleischer: Masters 40-44 Winner Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt82o1SIFjM
Photo Gallery: Masters Women 40-44, 2019 Lakewood Cyclocross Nationals
Tricia Fleischer leads the way down the start straight in the Masters Women 40-44 race. © Cyclocross Magazine
