ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— An action-packed day was in store for Balloon Fiesta Park with the conclusion of the 2021 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships. Having to fight the high heat and the even tougher competitors, today’s champions earned their gold medals.
Sunday kicked off at 7 a.m. with the women’s 35-39 wave, where Chelsea Smith (Layton, Utah.; Intermountain Healthcare) sprinted for the win. Diana Percy (Colorado Springs, Colo.; K4/DNA) had a strong ride and took the win in the women's 55-59 race. Karen Edwards (Forest Ranch, Calif.; Chico Cycling Team) added another gold medal to her collection and took the win in the women's 60-64 race. Kimberly Nelson (Decatur, Ga.; Sorella Cycling p/b Hincapie) sprinted her way to the win in the women's 65-69 wave.
In the women's 45-49 race, Michelle Montoya (Dallas, Texas; Pegasus Cycling) rode a strategic race which helped her win the stars and stripes jersey. The same can be said for Debbie Milne (Greenville, S.C.; SupraBars.com) who won Friday's road race and went on to win the criterium in the women's 50-54 wave on Sunday.
Former national champion and long-time legend Lawrence Nolan (Freemont, Calif.; Peet’s Coffee Racing p/b Veloro) snagged gold in the men’s 60-64 race. Steven Worley (Boulder, Colo.; Boulder Center for Orthopedics) sprinted to the top step of the podium in the men’s 70-74 race. John Elgart (Sacramento, Calif.; Sacramento Wheelmen), Leo Malmed (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Alata Aslpina Cycling Club), and Frederic Schmid (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix) claimed all three of the 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89 titles, respectively.
In men’s 55-59 action, Daniel Casper (Saint Paul, Minn.; Donkey Label Racing) captured the win. Kent Bostick (Knoxville, Tenn.; CTS) won the 65-69 men’s criterium, and Kyle Glerum (Emerald Hills, Calif.; Peet’s Coffee Racing p/b Veloro) won the men’s 50-54 title. Diana Correa (Tampa, Fla.; West Coast Cycling) won the women’s 70-74 event, and Jessica Brooks (Fayetteville, Ark.; Breakaway Cycling Team) took home the women’s 40-44 gold medal.
The end of the day held some fast and exciting racing. In the men’s 45-49 race, Charon Smith (Signal Hill, Calif.; Methods To Winning), pulled off the win. Antony Barsi (Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Black Swift Cycleton) was the fastest man in the 40-44 age group and took the top step of the podium. In an exciting conclusion, the men’s 35-39 race came down to a sprint, with Sam Benedict (Gilroy, Calif.; Team Mikes Bike p/b Equator Co) claiming victory over Kyle Cooper (Colton, Calif.; Team Six).
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ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. USA Cycling’s mission is to champion accessibility, participation, and excellence in the sport of cycling to make more Americans healthier, happier, and better on two wheels while achieving sustained international racing success. USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to international caliber racers. The organization identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition through the support of kids’ and interscholastic programs, amateur bike racing and grassroots development programs, and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing. USA Cycling has a membership of 100,000, annually sanctions over 2,500 events, and is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
