Georgia Gould is all smiles after taking the national title © Amy Dykema
by Josh Liberles
Prominent cyclocrossers are always in the mix in US mountain bike races throughout the season, and the National Championships are no exception. Today’s cross-country races in Granby, CO, proved to be a particularly succesful outing for many of the faces who spend their falls shredding up ‘cross the courses. Todd Wells (Specialized) took his first men’s XC stars and stripes jersey, while Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) claimed the women’s title in dominating fashion. Also scoring a jersey was cyclocrosser Skyler Trujillo in the Junior’s race. National champ Tiziana DeHorney (Active Knowledge) pulled off a bronze medal in the Junior women’s 13-14 event.
Defending Elite women’s champ Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Trek) took second with her teammate, Willow Koerber, who led the World Cup standings earlier this season, in third. Fourth and fifth places double up as top-notch ‘crossers: Mary McConneloug (Kenda/Seven/NoTubes) in front of multi-time ‘cross national champ Katie Compton (Planet Bike-Stevens-Kenda) in fifth. Other familiar faces included Collegiate Div 1 champ Teal Stetson-Lee (Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) in 13th, Alice Pennington (Team S&M) in 17th, Amy Dombroski (Luna Pro Team) in 18th, and Shannon Gibson (Velo Bella) in 22nd.
Wells building his lead © Amy Dykema
On the men’s side, the reigning champ, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Trek), was also pushed back into second place. Former national ‘cross champ Ryan Trebon (Kona) took third, with Adam Craig (Giant/Rabobank), back from a recent knee injury in fourth. Peter Stetina (Team Garmin-Transitions) rounded out the podium. Other notable ‘crossers’ performances included Barry Wicks (Kona) in ninth, Michael Broderick (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes) in eleventh, Matt Shriver in 13th, Brady Kappius (Team Clif Bar)14th, Erik Tonkin (Kona) 16th, Sean Babcock 19th, Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar) 23rd.
The MTB National Championships continue in Granby tomorrow with the Short Track, Super D and Downhill events.
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