The 2024 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships continued on Friday morning with several master’s categories competing and concluded with the team relay events. The course was frozen over in the morning and started to thaw as racing progressed throughout the day. By midday, the track became slick and unpredictable, which added an extra layer of excitement to the races.
The Master Women 30-34 were the first to race. It was a battle between Katherine Shields (Salt Lake City; Peak Fasteners) and Chelsea Richwine (Alexandria, Va.; National Capital Velo Club) all the way to the pavement. Shields was able to get the advantage over Richwine and take the title. Mei Zhao (Azusa, Calif.; Wild Wolf CC) came in behind Richwine to round out the podium.
Results:
1. Katherine Shields (Salt Lake City; Peak Fasteners)
2. Chelsea Richwine (Alexandria, Va.; National Capital Velo Club)
3. Mei Zhao (Azusa, Calif.; Wild Wolf CC)
In an excellent solo ride to the finish, Caitlin Bernstein (Richmond, Vt.; Easton Overland) completed her race in a time of 43:36.00 which was over a minute ahead of second-place finisher Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; CarboRocket). Sarah Larson (Bloomington, Ind.) also had a strong performance, earning third.
Results:
1. Caitlin Bernstein (Richmond, Vt.; Easton Overland)
2. Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; CarboRocket)
3. Sarah Larson (Bloomington, Ind.)
Thirteen athletes competed in the Master Women 40-44 category. Erin Feldhausen (Madison, Wis.; Trek Midwest Team) was the one to watch, finishing 30-seconds ahead of the silver medal battle between Erin Gordon (Narberth, Pa.; 717 Cycling) and Alice Perryman (Birmingham, Ala.).
Results:
1. Erin Feldhausen (Madison, Wis.; Trek Midwest Team)
2. Erin Gordon (Narberth, Pa.; 717 Cycling)
3. Alice Perryman (Birmingham, Ala.)
L39ion of Los Angeles rider Ty Magner (Athens, Ga.; L39ion of Los Angeles) took the top step in the Master Men 30-34 race, securing the win and earning a new Stars and Stripes jersey after finishing 38-seconds ahead of Alden Copley (Brooklyn, N.Y.; ROR NYC). Cypress Gorry (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Rouleur Coaching/Specialized) rode in for a third-place finish.
Results:
1. Ty Magner (Athens, Ga.; L39ion of Los Angeles)
2. Alden Copley (Brooklyn, N.Y.; ROR NYC)
3. Cypress Gorry (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Rouleur Coaching/Specialized)
In the Master Men 35-39 race, Michael Larson (Bloomington, Ind.; Dash Racing p/b Westfield Cyclesports) and Max Judelson (Los Angeles, Calif.; Rock Lobster International) battled all the way to the line in a nail-biting finish. Larson just barely edged out Judelson on the finish straight to earn gold. Judelson (Los Angeles, Calif.; Rock Lobster International) secured silver, and Terol Pursell (Lafayette, Colo.; Donovan Racing/ PB: AES) rounded out the podium in third.
Results:
1. Michael Larson (Bloomington, Ind.; Dash Racing p/b Westfield Cyclesports)
2. Max Judelson (Los Angeles, Calif.; Rock Lobster International)
3. Terol Pursell (Lafayette, Colo.; Donovan Racing/ PB: AES)
Racing continued with the Master Men 40-44 where Ryan Popple (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cycle-Smart) earned the win by 25 seconds. Michael Mihalik (Aliquippa, Pa.; MargieBars/ Jmac Cycling) put down one of the fastest laps of the day in an attempt to close the gap on Popple. He ultimately finished in second with Luke Principe (Rochester, N.Y.; Minuteman | Empire Automation p/b Full Moon Vista) taking third.
Results:
1. Ryan Popple (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cycle-Smart)
2. Michael Mihalik (Aliquippa, Pa.; MargieBars/ Jmac Cycling)
3. Luke Principe (Rochester, N.Y.; Minuteman | Empire Automation p/b Full Moon Vista)
The morning session concluded with the Master Men 45-49. Corey Stelljes (Birmingham, Ala.; Neff Cycle Service) rode away from a group of two riders to win the Stars and Stripes jersey. In a battle to the line for silver, Tim Strelecki (Geneva, Ill.; PSIMET Racing) edged out Alex Grant (Chicago, Ill.; Gothic Health Club p/b Gear Rush) to take second and third, respectively.
Results:
1. Corey Stelljes (Madison, Wis.; Neff Cycle Service)
2. Tim Strelecki (Geneva, Ill.; PSIMET Racing)
3. Alex Grant (Chicago, Ill.; Gothic Health Club p/b Gear Rush)
The Master Men 50-54 was the largest individual race of the day with a total of 63 riders battling it out for the national title. The course was officially thawed out and extremely slick as the riders weaved through Joe Creason Park. Adam Myerson (Dorchester, Mass.; Cycle-Smart/ShiftGear) showed his skill in racing to victory. He finished only three seconds ahead of silver medalist Austin Walker (Asheville, N.C.; B.B. Barns Cycling Team). Timothy Saari (Rochester Hills, Mich.; Mitten Velo/Cold Stone) rounded out the podium in third, finishing 25 seconds back.
Results:
1. Adam Myerson (Dorchester, Mass.; Cycle-Smart/ShiftGear)
2. Austin Walker (Asheville, N.C.; B.B. Barns Cycling Team)
3. Timothy Saari (Rochester Hills, Mich.; Mitten Velo/Cold Stone)
It was a battle royale for 57 men in the master's 55-59 race. The lights turned green, and the riders were off fighting for the hole shot. David Hildebrand (Ellington, Conn.; Competitive Edge Racing) had a lead on the chase group of Christopher Peck (Los Gatos, Calif.; Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club) and Jim Cochran (Iowa City, Iowa; Rule #5 / Nick’s Cycling & Fitness). Hildebrand was ultimately caught going into the bell lap, and it was a fight for the Stars and Stripes jersey between the trio. It came down to a sprint finish and Hildebrand managed to still cross the line in first. Peck took the silver and Cochran finished with bronze.
Results:
1. David Hildebrand (Ellington, Conn.; Competitive Edge Racing)
2. Christopher Peck (Los Gatos, Calif.; Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club)
3. Jim Cochran (Iowa City, Iowa; Rule #5 / Nick’s Cycling & Fitness)
In one of the most exciting competitions of the weekend, the top schools in the country battled for the Collegiate Overall Team Omnium. Going into the Varsity Team Relay event, Colorado Mesa University was leading in the standings after winning the team rankings in both the men’s and women’s races yesterday. After an all-out battle, the team of Ivan Sippy, Cassidy Hickey, Chloe Fraser, and Jack Spranger took the win for Colorado Mesa University, winning the overall omnium, as well. The race for the podium was action-packed with Brevard College, Marian University, and Milligan University all chasing down the lead at one point during the race. Ultimately, Milligan University was able to take the silver medal, with a team of only two riders, and Marian University captured bronze.
In the club category, the University of Colorado Boulder went into the event with the lead, but the University of Vermont still had the title within reach. The Team Relay would decide it all. The team of Tegan Brown, Gavin Lopez, Carson McCue, and Nadine Visser proved to be the strongest, riding CU Boulder to victory making them back-to-back champions. Colorado State University rode a smooth race to finish in second, and the University of Vermont took third.
Varsity Team Relay Results:
1. Colorado Mesa University
2. Milligan University
3. Marian University
Club Team Relay Results:
1. University of Colorado Boulder
2. Colorado State University
3. University of Vermont
Varsity Omnium Results:
1. Colorado Mesa University
2. Milligan University
3. Fort Lewis College
Club Omnium Results:
1. University of Colorado Boulder
2. University of Vermont
3. Colorado State University
In the day's final race, 31 teams lined up for the Non-Championship Mixed Team Relay. Earning gold by just a mere two seconds, Avout Damn Time beat Team Booger – Snot Rockets! Part Deux in a sprint to the line. Blue Ridge ‘Cross Silver rounded out the podium in third.
Results:
1. Avout Damn Time
2. Team Booger – Snot Rockets! Part Deux
3. Blue Ridge ‘Cross Silver
Full results for day three, and live timing for day four, can be found here.
Racing continues tomorrow with the highly anticipated marquee events, as the Junior 17-18, Under-23, and Elite racers compete for the coveted Stars and Stripes.
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