Julie Lockhart, shown here at ’Cross Nats in Bend, brings home three more road titles © Larry Rosa
While many of us are just starting to shake off the cobwebs and regain some of the fitness and skills that we finished last ’cross season with, there are those that have continued to race in the “off-season.” Racing this past week in Louisville, Kentucky, saw the top masters Macers from all over the US converge to earn the right to wear the stars and stripes. And while it may have been road racing, the ’cross community was well-represented.
by Jamie Mack
Julie Lockhart (NEBC) was uncontested in the women’s 65+ road race, the same situation she faced at the last ’cross national championships. But she had some competition in the TT, at the start at least. By the end of the effort, Lockhart had put nearly two and a half minutes into her closest rival. Lockhart capped off one of the most impressive runs of the championships by completing the hat trick with a win in the criterium as well.
Two couples, well known to the East Coast ’cross scene, put their relationships to the ultimate test, competing as mixed tandem teams at the championships. The Applegates raced both the time trial and road race, while the Shogrens took the easier route and only contested the road race. After going 1-2 in last years road race, the Shogren’s, fifth this year, and Applegates, fourth this year, were both bested by last year’s third place, the Eppens from Iowa City. ’Cross fans can take heart though, as the Eppen’s are excellent ’crossers in their own right. In the time trial, the Applegates found their revenge and were able to outpace the other devoted couples to take home the championship.
Diane Ostenso (Planet Bike), the 2009 women’s 55-59 national ’ cross champ, took away two top 10’s from the championships. The highlight for her was the podium spot in the criterium, just half a second from the top step.
Kevin Hines (Corner Cycle), current men’s 50-54 ’cross champion, came away from the championships with no jerseys, but two top 10 finishes. Hines was able to finish seventh in the time trial. But pulled down a fifth in the road race, finishing just behind Thurlow Rogers.
Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle), the current 45-49 national ’cross champ and outspoken proponent of registration and call-up system reform prior to the upcoming Worlds in Louisville, proved that he shines on more than mud. Bold was able to throw down in the time trial and come out in the top five, less than a minute down on champ Brendan Sullivan.
2008 Masters national cyclocross champ Roger Aspholm (Westwood Cycles) brought home the win in the 40-44 road race, and former Masters national ’cross champ and Masters world time trial champ Richard Feldman (Durance-Colnago) added another jersey to his collection when he took the Men’s 40-44 time trial.
