Moore Wins Masters Women 45-49 at the 2015 National Championships: Race Report and Full Results

Catherine Moore (Squadra Di Servitore) at the limestone steps. © Brian Nelson

(Austin, TX)-Jennifer Herrell-Rhoades (Midwest Cycling Trek Stores of KC) had an impressive start, gunning to the front of the pack after the whistle. Right on her heels, Texas rider Catherine Moore (Squadra Di Servitori) not only stayed close behind on the early stretch, but took over the race within a half lap and created a huge gap.

Meanwhile, New Jersey rider Stacey Barbossa (Midatlantic Colavita) was caught up in early traffic with Katina Walker (Verge/VeloNRS), and both big cyclocross names were relegated to the back of the top ten in the early goings.

Moore was able to press on, maintaining a near half-minute lead for most of the race through the finish. “To represent on your home turf is unbelievable,” she told Cyclocross Magazine right after winning. After crashing in the early season, she had to take lots of time off, and admitted coming into the rest of the season late. The crash also was a good reminder of the value of knowing when to stay off the bike and recover: a lesson she was able to remember for the remainder of the year.

Catherine Moore, the first Texan to wear the Red, White and Blue at the 2015 Cyclocross Nationals. © Cyclocross Magazine

Although Barbossa had a rough start behind traffic, the race was far from over for her. She fought her way through traffic, battling a 15-second gap that second place had. The competition proved to be brutal as six women remained on her wheel, especially Tanya Bettis (Sport Systems Mountaintop Cycling), who seemed determined to get second after a skewer fell out of her wheel early in the race.

In the final stretch, Barbossa took the drops and focused on the finish line instead of her competition, and she was able to eek out just enough for silver on the day. Bettis came in soon after in third.

2015 National Championships, Masters Women 45-49