Full 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship coverage can be found right here.
by Ricoh Riott
ASHEVILLE, North Carolina—On a sunny winter’s morning Corey Coogan Cisek (Power Fix CX) won her second Masters 35-39 National Championship, following up on her 2013 win in Madison, Wisconsin. Seattle’s Tricia Fleischer (Ten Speed Hero) overcame a flat tire to take second place with Kristen Kelsey just eight seconds behind.
Fleischer attacked immediately from the start whistle, taking the holeshot and leading the field around the first half of the lap with Coogan Cisek on her wheel. The duo distanced themselves on the second lap from the riders behind before Fleischer lost her wheel on the drop-off section and hit the dirt, allowing Coogan Cisek to attack. The new leader wasted no time in her new solo position and built up a solid advantage while Fleischer made her way through to the pits and lost several positions in the process.
While the lead seemed secure, the battle for the lower podium spots was raging with Kristen Kelsey and Ellen Sherrill attempting to out-power each other. Fleischer, now on a fresh bike with just over one lap to go, fought to regain her prior position. By midway through the final lap Coogan Cisek had extended her lead to around a minute and Fleischer was making up time and positions fast.
In a time of 39:00 Corey Coogan Cisek took the win a full minute ahead of second place. After an impressive final attack Tricia Fleischer came over the line in second, eight seconds ahead of Kristen Kelsey in third.
In a post-race interview with CXM, Coogan Cisek gushed about the track in Asheville. “I loved the course, I have actually gone over to Belgium the last two years…. I’m impressed the US courses are headed in that direction, this is definitely a Euro-style course.”
2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships Women's 35-39 Full Results
Be sure to enter Verge Sport’s Cyclocross Nationals giveaway, details here.