Nasty weather and gritty victories by Tim Johnson and Katie Compton in the men’s and women’s elite categories highlighted the 2007 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships in Kansas City, Kansas, over the weekend.
Mud, snow, sleet and ice—all were part of the story over four days of racing at Wyandotte County Park, where an unpredictable course made things difficult on racers. What was supposed to be record field sizes were reduced somewhat by the inhospitable conditions, but there was still plenty of red-hot racing action across the age categories.
For Johnson (Cannondale-Leer-Cyclocrossworld.com), Kansas City is the place to be. The New England native captured his second U.S. ’cross title in the same city where he won his first—seven years ago. Johnson said the key to winning was perseverance—and avoiding disaster on the muddy, icy course. Johnson held off Jonathan Page (Sunweb-Pro Job), silver medalist at last year’s world championships, with a timely attack on the second-to-last lap. One mistake by Page, a late crash while trying to chase Johnson, was enough to seal the win.
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Defending U.S. champion Ryan Trebon had been riding with Johnson and Page in a three-man break before a freak crash knocked him out. He collided with another rider coming in the opposite direction when the other rider broke through the course tape with five-and-a-half laps to go.
Compton (Spike Shooter) overcame a rough start to win her fourth straight U.S. title. After working her way up from fifth position, she attacked and rode clear off the front the rest of the race.
Here’s a list of the weekend’s title winners:
Elite Men: Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Leer-Cyclocrossworld.com) Middletown, Massachusetts
Elite Women: Katie Compton (Spike Shooter), Colorado Springs, Colorado
Under 23 Women: Amy Dombroski (Velo Bella-Kona), Boulder, Colorado
Under 23 Men: Bjorn Selander (Ridley Factory Team), Hudson, Wisconsin
Masters Men 35-39: Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport), Boulder, Colorado
Masters Men 40-44: James Coats (Mogan Stanley-Specialized), Campbell, California
Masters Men 50-54: Ned Overend (Specialized), Durango, Colorado
Masters Men 55-59: Fred Wittwer (Charlottesville Racing Club), Charlottesville, Virginia
Single speed Mixed: Mark LaLonde (Bob Brown Cycles/BKB), Madison, Wisconsin
Collegiate Women: Kacey Manderfield (Lees-McRae), Davisburg, Michigan
Collegiate Men: Jamey Driscoll (University of Vermont), Jericho, Vermont
Masters 60-64: Lewis Rollins (Contender Bicycle), Salt Lake City, Utah
Masters 65-69: Lee Willmore (Celo Pacific), Seal Beach, California
Masters 70+: Walt Axthelm (Durango Wheel Club), Durango, Colorado
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