As day broke it was clear that the course racers faced over the first three days of the 2016 National Championships would be nowhere to be found. A light but steady overnight rain had fallen and greasy mud replaced what was primarily dirt and dust for the first race of the day.
In the biggest field of the day, and perhaps the week, some of the most well-known names in Men’s Masters racing took to the start at a chance to be the 45-49 National Champion.
Coming from a second to last call-up, Melinda McCutcheon (Canyon Bicycles-Shimano) took the race by the horns before the first pass through the barn and climb up Ingles Heckle Hill and never looked back.
The last race of the day saw the combined Master Women’s 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+ fields take to the course. The women in the field fought good battles, had tumbles and raced their way on to the late afternoon podium.
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.
The racing was hot and the temperature warm for the Master Women’s 50-54 Championship race. Short sleeves were in abundance as Karen Brems (SunPower Racing) took the victory ahead of Laura Trace (Team Oregon p/b Laurelwood Brewing Co.).
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.
In a heated battle for the front of the race, Melissa Barker (Evol Elite Racing) overcame a late-race crash to take the win just ahead of Sally Annis (Pedal Power Team-MA) and Christina Gokey-Smith (Dallas Bike Works CX).
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.
In a reversal from last year’s second place finish, Jacob Lasley (SPCX p/b R. K. Black), took the win in the Men’s 35-39 Championship race at the Biltmore Estate earlier this morning ahead of Matt Shriver (Trek Cyclocrosss Collective).
The last race of the day saw 9 riders on the start line. Seven were there to contest the Men’s 70-74 race, while the other two were riding for the honor of wear the National Champion’s jersey in the 75-79 and 80+ fields, respectively.
As the sun continued to warm the course, Jay Trojan (Arc En Ciel Racing Team) basked in the warmth of the cheering crowd as he took the win the Men’s 55-59 National Championship Race.
Up and over Ingles Heckle Hill and Wittwer was on the front and with the effort had strung out the leaders with Pearson and Bannister giving chase but not gaining. Wittwer never let up after that.
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.
Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s races and the U23 Men’s event are scheduled to be shown on-line. Also scheduled is the Youth Women category. Mirroring the new category on offer at the World Championships, the Youth Women’s category combines the Junior Women and U23 Women.
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