by Ted Burns

VERONA, WISCONSIN — Kari Studley (Redline) took her second women’s singlespeed Nationals victory today, repeating last year’s comeback win. Behind her, New England’s 17-year-old Ellen Noble (Trek  Cyclocross Collective) took home second place, while Wisconsin local Amber Markey took third.

Kari Studley won her second consecutive National Singlespeed Cyclocross Championship after establishing a sizable lead on the first lap. Studley, whose first lap crash at nationals in 2010 kept her out of commission for almost a year, returned last year to take the title she coveted. This year, in her title defense, Studley grabbed the holeshot at the gun, but was quickly attacked by Elizabeth So (Les Petites Victoires) out of Chicago Illinois.  As So faded on the main climb, the “Koppen-Badger Hill,” Studley grabbed the lead and grew her lead over chasers Noble and South Lake Tahoe’s Ellen Sherrill (Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/RockLobster.)

“The lighting and the wind,” said Studley when asked what was the hardest obstacle of the day. “It’s really the lighting, it’s just reflecting off the mud and the puddles. I was just glad I stayed upright.”

Noble was able to move into second place past Sherrill who faded in the cold conditions and fight off challenges from Amber Markey (My Wife, Inc.) and Katrina Dowdichuk (Colavita Racing).  “I’ve never raced singlespeed before,” said Noble after the race. “So I didn’t know what to expect.  It’s cold, and my face is numb so I don’t know if I’m actually saying anything.” Markey, a hometown favorite, held off Dowdichuck the last lap to finish third for her first Nationals podium appearance.

Studley will take the line later in the week to contest the Masters 30-34 women’s race.

Tune in regularly right here to Cyclocross Magazine’s 2013 Nationals Homepage for the most comprehensive source of Nationals 2013 info. We will be updating this page hourly for race reports, results, photos and videos!

2013 Singlespeed Cyclocross National Champion Kari Studley Interview:

[youtube ZmAgJHmKG_0 580 380]

2013 Singlespeed Cyclocross Nationals Photo Gallery:

 

2013 Singlespeed Cyclocross National Champion Results:

2013 Cyclocross National Championships Results Women - Single Speed

PlaceÊ	Name	City, State	Time	Team
1	Kari STUDLEY	Bothell, WA	42:17:00Ê	Team Redline
2	Ellen NOBLE	Kennebunkport, ME	42:49:00Ê	Trek Cyclocross Collective
3	Amber MARKEY	Monona, WI	42:59:00Ê
4	Katrina DOWIDCHUK	Wilmington, DE	43:16:00Ê	Colavita Racing Inc.
5	Ellen SHERRILL	South Lake Tahoe, CA	43:31:00Ê	Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/Rock Lobster Cyclocross
6	Jennifer GAERTNER	Coeur D Alene, ID	44:37:00Ê	Motofish Racing
7	Jennifer NOWLIN	Plymouth, MN	45:31:00Ê	Peace Coffee Racing
8	Kristal BONI	Erie, CO	46:50:00Ê	Rapid Racing
9	Elizabeth SO	Chicago, IL	47:34:00Ê	Les Petites Victoires
10	Katina WALKER	Tully, NY	48:17:00Ê	Crankskins.com
11	Hidi CRAMER	Des Moines, WA	49:41:00Ê	Avanti Racing Club
12	Amanda SCHAPER	Laguna Beach, CA	49:41:00Ê	Ritte CX Team
13	Dorothy WONG	Altadena, CA	50:37:00Ê	The TEAM
DNS	Anne SCHWARTZ	Grosse Pointe Woods, MI		Flying Rhino Cycling Club
DNS	Cathy ROWELL	Bedford, MA		Blue Steel Cyclery /Blue Steel Cyclery
DNS	Katie MELENA	Santacruz, CA		Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/Rock Lobster Cyclocross