Gregg Wins 60-64, Bannister Takes 65-69, Llamas, Riley and Axthelm Win 70,75,80+ at the 2014 National Championships – Report, Gallery, Full Results

In the 70+ race, Bob Llamas (Montrose Cycling Club), another warm-weather native coming from Southern California, took the holeshot and never looked back. “The course was technical, and I’m not good at technical. I can go up hills and use the little power I have,” he said, though his results suggest otherwise. “I was just cautious and didn’t crash, just slipped a lot,” he explained.

Robert Llamas in the lead. © Steve Anderson

He then asked what many of the racers surely wanted to: “Can I go home now?”

Early morning races mean slick, icy conditions, especially in this corner before the finish. © Matthew Lasala

In the 75-79 field, Ronald Riley (Bike Station Aptos) took the win, and in the 80+ race, Walter Axthelm took the title.

The 80+ race was between Axthelm and Fred Schmid, two fierce competitors who find themselves racing each other with frightening regularity for National titles in ’cross and road.

“I was just trying to get a good start out front. There’s so much single file, so if you can get ahead, it’s difficult to get past.”

Riley, the 75-79 winner, laughed when he told us that he finished behind the two 80+ racers, but still was victorious in his category. “At my age, there are two goals: Get to the starting line and get to the finish line.”

Results follow gallery.

Gregg Wins 60-64, Bannister Takes 65-69, Llamas Snags 70+ at the 2014 National Championships – Gallery by Steve Anderson

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2014 USA Cyclocross National Championships Men 60-64

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2014 USA Cyclocross National Championships Men 80+

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2014 USA Cyclocross National Championships Men 75-79

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2014 USA Cyclocross National Championships Men 70-74

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2014 USA Cyclocross National Championships Men 65-69

For all the best Cyclocross Nationals 2014 coverage, including bike profiles, race reports, results and video interviews, check out our 2014 Cyclocross National Championship Page here.