Crystal Anthony rode away within the first half lap for the victory. Todd Prekaski
When we last caught up with Crystal Anthony a few short months ago, she was wrapping up a long school year as a Spanish teacher. Hopefully, her students were impressed with the resume she created over those ten months, which included a fourth place at Cyclocross Nationals, and representing the United States at Hoogerheide.
More recently this summer, Anthony threw herself into the fray of short track at Mountain Bike Nationals, where she battled the eventual winner, Georgia Gould. We were able to talk about the race and her preparations for this upcoming cyclocross season.
Cyclocross Magazine: You were one of the people bridging back up a ton during the short track at Nationals—how was that?
Crystal Anthony: I felt like I was riding consistently, I couldn’t really go any harder… But through the more technical sections, it would come back together so I’d have some hope. But they were just so strong and eventually pulled away.
CXM: How did short track compare to ’cross?
CA: That’s a really good question! It feels a lot like ’cross, but I don’t remember ’cross hurting this much. There’s still a lot of accelerating out of corners.
CXM: And it’s hot out today!
CA: That’s another factor. I don’t mind the heat too much, but I brought a bottle and there was nowhere to drink. It was kind of silly, I don’t know where you would drink.
CXM: You’re taking a sabbatical from teaching for the ’cross season!
CA: Yeah, I’m really excited for that.
CXM: That is exciting. Who are you racing for then?
CA: Nothing is official yet, but things are… looking good!
CXM: What prompted the decision to take a sabbatical?
CA: A few too many red-eyes, and I like to do a good job at whatever I’m doing. It was getting hard to balance teaching and racing. I was arriving to Europe two hours before a World Cup, which is not ideal! To compete against the people who aren’t doing it… Teaching can be a great job during the summer for racing but during the year you don’t have any flexibility.
CXM: Have you made a schedule yet?
CA: I’ll focus on the US races still. My schedule won’t be much different, just a little more… sane.
Crystal Anthony, who can usually be distinguished by her bright orange helmet, started hard on the last day of Jingle Cross Rock 2013. © Mike McColgan
