elite Men
With defending champion Andrew Strohmeyer (Mount Airy, Md.; CXD Trek Bikes) opting to stay in europe, the elite race was wide open. The 28 rider field featured top names including former National Champion Eric Brunner (Boulder, Colo.; Competitive Edge Racing), Men’s Collegiate Varsity winner Ivan Sippy (Grand Junction, Colo.; Colorado Mesa University),three-time National Champion Todd Wells (Durango,Colo.; TWL), and kerry Werner (Vinton, Va.; Velo Mafia Racing p/b Bikeflights), who will retire after today’s race. The racing was aggressive from the green light, with Dylan Zakrajsek (Grand Junction, Colo.; Competitive edge Racing) taking the holeshot.Race favourite Brunner had a rough start but quickly found the front halfway through the opening lap and attacked. Sippy and Brody McDonald (Escondido, Calif.; Milligan University) kept Brunner within eyeshot for a couple laps,with Werner a few seconds back from the chasing collegiate duo. Brunner was untouchable though and rode solo to the finish to reclaim the national title. Sippy and McDonald traded moves in the fight for second,before Sippy attacked heading into the final lap and held on for silver. McDonald rounded out the podium.
after the race, Brunner went on to say, “it felt great on the course today.My goal was to go out fast and was able to get up to the front quickly. I just wanted to scare everybody from the beginning, and I was able to do it!”
results:
- Eric Brunner (Boulder, Colo.; Competitive Edge Racing),
- ivan Sippy (Grand junction, Colo.; Colorado Mesa University)
- Brody McDonald (Escondido, Calif.; Milligan university)
Elite Women
After taking a win at Pan Ams earlier in the year, and in the Collegiate Varsity race on Thursday, Lizzy Gunsalus (Ashland, Mass.; CCB p/b Levine law Group) was one of the favorites going into today’s elite race.From the start, Gunsalus set the pace with lauren Zoerner (Chapel Hill, N.C.; Competitive Edge Racing) following close behind. Zoerner,Cassidy hickey (Grand Junction,Colo.; Colorado Mesa University), and Alyssa Sarkisov (North Potomac, Md.; CXD Trek Bikes) tested Gunsalus with several
Masters men 45-49
Thirty riders lined up in frigid temperatures for 45 minutes of racing. Daniel Miller (Saint Louis, Mo.; Pastaria Big Shark Racing) powered to the front on the first lap and quickly opened a 10 second advantage. Reigning champion Corey Stelljes (Madison, Wis.; Neff Cycle Service) drove the chase,but Miller rode a nearly flawless race and continued to build his gap each lap. Miller rode in to claim the first national title of the day. Stelljes limited his losses and finished 36 seconds back in second. Nick Van Winkle (Atlanta,Ga.; The Paceline Project p/b LC Food) fought to the line to round out the podium.
Results:
1. Daniel Miller (Saint Louis, Mo.; Pastaria Big Shark Racing)
2. Corey Stelljes (Madison, Wis.; Neff Cycle Service)
3. Nick Van Winkle (Atlanta, Ga.; The Paceline Project p/b LC Food)
Masters Men 50-54
Forty-six riders lined up for one of the most competitive masters classes of the weekend.A lead group of eight formed quickly.By the third lap, five riders were still pushing at the front. The group consisted of: Eneas Freyre (Redding,Conn.; TTEndurance), Adam Myerson (Boston, Mass.; Cycle-Smart/ShiftGear), Tim Strelecki (Geneva, Ill.; PSIMET racing),Justin Robinson (Santa Cruz,Calif.; Santa cruz Free Agent), and Steven Stefko (Fort Collins, Colo.; Miiflo Cycling Team). By the last lap, the group was still holding strong ready to battle at the line. Stefko was able to get away from the group and hit