Bob Downs Wins Happily in the Mud for the Masters Men 60-64 National Title

by David Mable

The first turn in a splash of reality. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

A field of 66 men lined up for the Master’s 60-64 race which opened up Wednesday afternoon racing at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships.

Eric Derivera grabbed an early lead. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Eric Derivera lead early, as lots of running on the hills and off-camber corners kept things interesting, but together.

George Smith was the early leader and stayed strong to finish second. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

As the first lap wound down, George Smith pulled ahead, putting 28 seconds between himself and a chase group of five, led by Paul Curley and included Randall Root, Charles Townsend and Jeffrey Craft.

The legend Paul Curley fought for third. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Smith continued to lead into lap two, though the chasing group began to close the gap. Bob Downs also overcame a slow start to catch the disintegrating chase group. By the end of lap two, Down’s had caught Smith.

Two titles for Downs. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 65-69. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine

“I didn’t have a decent-sized lead at the start,” said Downs after the race. “I was way back and got caught behind the slow runners at the top (the embankment run-up), and just had be patient and pick em off one at a time. Just go my pace. At a lap-and-a-half in, I came upon the leader. I just felt like I had some energy and he looked like he was struggling, so I made a big move and tried to surge past him. After that I rode as fast as I could on the sections I could get speed on.”

The run-up was a take-your-own path to the top. The bottom line seemed to be the fastest. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Downs, past national championship winner from Wisconsin, is used to riding in the ice and snow, was disappointed to see the warm, wet conditions at first, but changed his mind when he saw the mud.

Paul Curley and his wheel cover moving up to third. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 60-64. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

“I’m really good on the icy, snowy stuff. When I didn’t see that here, I was a little disappointed,” he said. “Then this (mud) developed, and I’m good in the mud too, so I was happy about this.”

Bob Downs takes his second National Title. 2017 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Men 65-69. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Downs finished more than 1-minute, 30-seconds ahead of second place, which was taken by George Smith. Paul Curley finished in third another 20-seconds behind.

2017 CX National Championships Hartford Day 2 Results Masters Men 60-64