Benjamin Crismon Escapes to Take Junior Men’s 11-12 Nationals Title – Updated: Full Results, Video and Photo Gallery

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ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—Benjamin Crismon (Papa John’s Racing Team) is no stranger to the top step of a podium and Saturday the young man earned yet another accolade in his first Cyclocross Nationals performance by taking the title in the Junior Men’s 11-12 category. Though Crismon was the first to admit the course was challenging, his strong racing and technical skills allowed him to claim the crown among his peers.

Jack Spranger (Rad Racing NW) was up and out of the saddle to claim the holeshot but Crismon and Adrian Magun (Cycle U/Apex Racing) quickly jumped into action. By the time the racers rounded the corner to the off-camber preceding the Bike Barn, Crismon and Magun had already created a slight gap on the rest of the field, with Spranger trailing just slightly and last year’s 9-10 national champion, Carden King (Boulder Junior Cycling) leading a chase group of Wesley Haggstrom (Evolution Jr. Devo Team) and Kahill Bailey (Boulder Junior Cycling).

The start line intensity was real in the Junior Men's 10-11 Championship race. 2016 National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

By the time the riders came down the descent following Heckle Hill, Crismon’s lead was established though Magun, who finished third in this event last year, determinedly barreled after the leader. King and Spranger followed, each trying to establish dominance and give chase to Magun and Crismon.

Benjamin Crismon held off Adrian Magun in the Junior Men 11-12 race. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

By the end of the first lap, Crismon was maintaining a steady four second lead over Magun. King and Spranger trailed by 11 seconds while Bailey sat strong in fifth. Magun was fighting hard to make up ground on Crismon but after racers’ second round through Heckle Hill Crismon had stretched his lead considerably. King and Spranger continued the battle for third, starting the bell lap side by side.

Crimson’s final lap further increased his lead, despite momentary hang-ups as Crimson was forced to wait on the wheels of riders he was lapping. Magun was certainly not giving up but Spranger had managed to finally gap King on Heckle Hill and was coming up on Magun quickly.

Adrian Magun guts it out to finish second. Junior Men 11-12, 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

At the finish, Magun was just able to maintain his lead and come in second only four seconds ahead of Spranger. King sat comfortably in fourth while Bailey managed to hold off Haggstrom to take the final spot on the podium.

Watch Benjamin Crismon discuss his race in the interview below. Full results and photo gallery below the video.

https://youtu.be/Sdp7WF_bGK8

2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships Junior Men 11-12 Full Results

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Junior Men 11-12 - 2016 Cyclocross National Championships Photo Gallery