VERONA, WISCONSIN—Exactly five months after having back surgery, Sue Butler stormed the course at the 2013 National Championships to take the win in her first cyclocross race of the season.
Sue Butler returns to Masters racing and takes another National Championship in the 40-44 group. ©Cyclocross Magazine
Butler rode a commanding race, working her way quickly up from a last-row starting position and then pushing ahead to establish a strong lead halfway through the first lap. Linda Sone (Crossniacs) and Katrina Dowdichuck (Colavita Racing Inc.) led a chase with Kristen Weber (Boulder Cycle Sport) close behind.
Defending champ Sone chasing Dowidchuck for second in the Masters Women 40-44 National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine
“It was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be crossing the finish line, because I haven’t gotten to race all season,” Butler told Cyclocross Magazine. “I just kept it really smooth. This was technical and fun, without the misery of rain.”
Over the summer, Butler had back surgery to resolve a back issue from a crash in at St. Wendel in 2010 – this Nationals win also marked her return to racing. “I started training in the first week of November. I’m probably at 80%. I will be at Masters Worlds.”
Interview with Sue Butler:
[youtube -4-iEgA04kM 580 380]
Tune in regularly right here to Cyclocross Magazine’s 2013 Nationals Homepage for the most comprehensive source of Nationals 2013 info. We will be updating this page hourly for race reports, results, photos and videos!
Masters 40-44 Women Photo Gallery:
2013 Nationals Masters Women 40-44 Results
| Place | Name | City, State | Time | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Susan BUTLER | Portland, OR | 0:41:08 | |
| 2 | Katrina DOWIDCHUK | Wilmington, DE | 42:11:00 | Colavita Racing Inc. |
| 3 | Linda SONE | Northfield, MN | 42:36:00 | Crossniacs |
| 4 | Kristin WEBER | Boulder, CO | 42:55:00 | Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 5 | Margell ABEL | Boulder, CO | 43:34:00 | Tough Girl Cycling |
| 6 | Kimberly FLYNN | Hixson, TN | 44:42:00 | USSC-Trek p/b Vantaggio/Scenic City Velo |
| 7 | Lisa HUDSON | Golden, CO | 45:12:00 | Feedback Sports Racing |
| 8 | Stephanie UETRECHT | Bend, OR | 46:24:00 | WebCyclery.com/WebCyclery Racing |
| 9 | Julie PHELPS | De Pere, WI | 46:43:00 | Big Ring Flyers |
| 10 | Heidi BECK | Delafield, WI | 48:25:00 | Twin Six |
| 11 | Kimberly THOMAS | Belmont, MI | 50:19:00 | Velo City Cycles |
| 12 | Lara MAREK | Philadelphia, PA | 51:04:00 | MAMBO CX/GoCycling/Mid Atl Masters Bicycle Org |
| 13 | Carrie HANSEN | Weymouth, MA | 51:19:00 | Cycle Lodge |
| 14 | Suzanne JOHNSON | St. Louis, MO | @1Lap | Michelob Ultra - Big Shark Racing Team/Michelob Ultra - Big Shark Racing |
| 15 | Meredith RAMBOW | Saint Paul, MN | @1Lap | Birchwood/GIS |
| 16 | Gina KENNY | Orland Park, IL | @1Lap | PSIMET Racing |
| DNS | Jennifer HERRELL-RHOADES | Kansas City, MO | Trek Cyclocross Collective |
