DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. – Early Sunday morning racing marked the last day of the 2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. With incredible performances in the Junior UCI races, the United States is set up for success leading into the next big block of European racing.
Junior Men’s 17-18
The 17-18 Junior Men kicked off the morning with lightning-fast racing. Magnus White was out in front heading into the first corner and fought to stay in the top 5 for the duration of the race. White battled Andrew August, for the lead, but August ended up suffering a flat tire which resulted in him running to the pit, giving White the opportunity to reclaim the lead and win the national title.
1- Magnus White (Boulder, Colo.; Boulder Junior Cycling)
2- Andrew August (Pittsford, N.Y.; Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld
3- Frank O’Reilly (Pearl River, N.Y.; FinKraft Cycling Team)
Junior Women’s 17-18
Katherine Sarkisov was on top of her pedals all day. After completing her first lap in a time of 11:51, Sarkisov’s speed was unmatched in the next lap. After four laps, Sarkisov sealed the deal to become the 17-18 Junior Women’s Cyclocross National Champion.
1- Katherine Sarkisov (North Potomac, Md.; CXHairs Devo: Trek Bikes)
2- Keira Bond (Louisville, Colo.; Boulder Junior Cycling)
3- Kaya Musgrave (Littleton, Colo.; Bear National/WCX)
Women’s U23
After a busy week racing the Varsity Women’s Collegiate race and the Collegiate Team Relay, Katie Clouse had the course dialed prior to lining up to the start of the Women’s U23 race. Clouse and Maddie Munro duked it out early in the race, but Clouse pulled ahead by the second visit to the pit row. Giving it everything she had, Clouse managed to stay away and would go on to win the Women’s U23 title.
Clouse was incredibly excited about her result saying “I think today was pretty special just because I know how strong Maddie (Munro) is. She’s so strong, so I knew it was going to be a really hard race. It makes today a lot better because she’s one of the top competitors and one of my good friends. It was a good day”.
1- Katie Clouse (Park City, Utah; Cannondale Cyclocrossworld.com)
2- Madigan Munro (Boulder, Colo.; Trek Factory Racing)
3- Lizzy Gunsalus (Dudley, Mass.; Cannondale Cyclocrossworld.com)
Men's U23
The U23 Men's race was a race to watch today. After a year off, the up-and-coming men took the 3.4-kilometer course at full speed. Four riders would talk an early lead; Scott Funston, Andrew Strohmeyer, Daxton Mock, and Sam Noel. By the end of the first lap, Funston pulled away from the rest, clocking the fastest lap in the race at 10:31. Maintaining his momentum for the next three laps, Funston claimed the podium's top step.
Funston, who finished second in the Varsity Men's Collegiate race, had his eyes on the prize coming into the weekend.
When asked about his race Funston said, “My tactic was just to go out with a strong start, second, maybe third wheel. I got second into the sandpit, which I was really stoked on. I just wanted to follow some lines. I didn’t pre-ride this morning; I had done plenty of pre-riding before, even raced, but I just wanted to see how the lines were changing for the first lap. (Andrew) Strohmeyer messed up back by the stairs, and I decided to punch it. From there, I went really hard for a lap and then really just tried to minimize the mistakes at all costs, started running some sections. That was my plan from the start: really wanted a smooth first lap and go from there. It worked out great.”
Funston will head to Europe later this week, after he returns to school to take one last final exam.
1- Scott Funston (Boulder, Colo.; Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build)
2- Andrew Strohmeyer (Mount Airy, Md.; CX Hairs Devo: Trek Bikes)
3- Daxton Mock (Lake Mills, Wisc.; Trek Cyclocross Collective)
