Don Myrah Wins Epic Battle Against Jon Cariveau for Masters 45-49 Worlds Title UPDATED: Full Report, Results

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – Reigning National Champion Don Myrah did what many expected him to do today, crowing himself the 2013 Master 45-49 world champion. The outcome, however, was not always certain, as Moots racer Jon Cariveau put up one of the fiercest fights of the day, trading blows with Myrah throughout the race. Though Myrah eventually bested Cariveau, the winning move did not come until well into the final lap, making this the one to watch for the many spectators who came for the afternoon races. Behind the two racers, Roger Aspholm rode strong and consistent, finishing in third.

The 45-49 Men launching off the line for the 2013 World Title race © Cyclocross Magazine

“What a day,” said Myrah. “Last night it was blizzarding out, I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be a great race. Jon Cariveau, man, what an awesome competitor. We battled back and forth. He had the lead, then I had the lead, each of us would bobble and I just ended up having one less than he did to get the win. It was any man’s race, and I got lucky.”

Each man went down, each bobbled, but as the race wound around the course neither could shake the other. At times, Cariveau looked to have shaken Myrah off his wheel, but the multi-discipline champion never panicked, and continually came back up to then put the Moots rider on the ropes.

Myrah and Cariveau battled it out for most of the race © Cyclocross Magazine

“I was really hoping for better, but gosh, if I can share the lead with Don, battling back and forth like that, I’ll take it. It came down to who had the least amount of bobbles. We went in one to go really tight. I was riding a bike that was starting to gather a lot of nastiness on it, so I had to take a second backup bike that had the non-mud tires on it, not quite as aggressive of tread. I wasn’t quite as confident in the ruts of those corners.”

Both racers had to contend with the worsening conditions and the difficulties their pit crews faced trying to clean frozen mud without the help of power washers. “I pitted just about every lap. The bikes didn’t come back very clean. One time I got on a bike and it was worse than the one I’d been riding on!”

Myrah had two bikes, one with 324 Labs hydraulic brakes, which he says, “were great. They felt awesome today. With cold conditions, you could brake with one finger. Never an issue.”

Undefeated: Four titles in a row for Don Myrah, with two Nationals and two World Championships in two years. © Cyclocross Magazine

It was one too many bobbles for Cariveau, however, that made the race, as Myrah capitalized on the mistake and put down as much power as the course would allow, finishing with enough of a gap to raise his hands and enjoy the win. “I did feel calm. I didn’t feel like I was burying myself—I was kind of going 95% because I couldn’t go 100%, there was nowhere to open it up.”

With both National and World wins to his name after returning from a long hiatus, questions turned to whether Myrah was back for good. “As long as I can keep affording to do it!”

Don Myrah defends his 45-49 Masters Cyclocross World Championship title:

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Interview with John Cariveau, Second in Men’s 45-49:

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Don’t miss our LIVE STREAMING VIDEO of the 2013 Cyclocross World Championships. And for all the latest news, results, photos and videos from the 2013 Cyclocross World Championships and Masters World Championships in Louisville, KY, keep checking our 2013 Cyclocross World Championships page.

Masters 45-49 Photo Gallery

2013 Worlds Master Men 45 49 Results