Three separate masters categories started in the Masters Women 30-44 wave. In the Women’s 35-39, Women’s Singlespeed National Champion, Caroline Dezendorf (Truckee, Calif.; Rock Lobster / Easton) and Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; Cardinal Bicycle) led the opening lap. Williams proved stronger on the day, gaining time on Dezendorf each lap to win the Stars and Stripes. Dezendorf earned silver, while Brittany Cowan (Durango, Colo.; Fort Lewis College) added a second bronze medal to her collection this week.
Erin Feldhausen (Madison, Wis.; Trek Midwest Team), Christin Reuter (Niwot, Colo.; BikeReg | Share Coffee), and Lauren Stephens (Dallas, Texas; Next Step p/b Aegis) marked each other throughout the Women’s 40-44 race. On lap three, Stephens attacked and split the lead group before riding solo to the national title. Feldhausen held on for second, with Reuter taking third.
Returning National Champion, Katherine Shields (Salt Lake City, Utah; Peak Fasteners) rode well to claim the Women’s 30-34 National Title.
Women’s 30-34 Results:
1. Katherine Shields (Salt Lake City; Peak Fasteners)
2. Mei Zhao (Azusa, Calif.; SoCalCross)
Women’s 35-39 Results:
1. Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; Cardinal Bicycle)
2. Caroline Dezendorf (Truckee, Calif.; Rock Lobster / Easton)
3. Brittany Cowan (Durango, Colo.; Fort Lewis College)
Women’s 40-44 Results:
1. Lauren Stephens (Dallas; Next Step p/b Aegis)
2. Erin Feldhausen (Madison, Wis.; Trek Midwest Team)
3. Christin Reuter (Niwot, Colo.; BikeReg | Share Coffee)
Hannah Tell (Lawrence, Kan.; Steve Tilford Foundation) took the early lead in the Women’s 45-49 race, and didn’t look back. She rode solo for the entirety of the race, earning herself the Stars and Stripes jersey. Sarah Kaufman (Salt Lake City; K Cycling Coaching) put up a strong fight to keep Tell in eyeshot, but could not complete the catch, ultimately finishing in second. Holly Kruchoski (New Berlin, Wis.; Unsponsored Rider, LLC) came in for third, only two seconds back from Kaufman.
Women’s 45-49 Results:
1. Hannah Tell (Lawrence, Kan.; Steve Tilford Foundation)
2. Sarah Kaufman (Salt Lake City, Utah; K Cycling Coaching)
3. Holly Kruchoski (New Berlin, Wis.; Unsponsored Rider, LLC)
Returning champion, Kristin Weber (Longmont, Colo.; Lockton Mike’s Bikes), and Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas; Impact Racing Team P/b VeloRepublic) were locked together from the start, marking every attack. The battle came down to the final moments of the race when Weber gained a slight advantage over Gokey-Smith and held it to the finish, keeping the national title for another year. Evie Edwards (Asheville, N.C.; B.B. Barns Femmes) rode a consistent race to secure third.
Women’s 50-54 Results:
1. Kristin Weber (Longmont, Colo.; Lockton Mike’s Bikes)
2. Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas; Impact Racing Team P/b VeloRepublic)
3. Evie Edwards (Asheville, N.C.; B.B. Barns Femmes)