LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – The defending World Champion and current National Champion Karen Brems came to the line with the intention of holding on to her title. She did so in a clear manner, taking the holeshot and an early lead and never looking back. Lillian Pfluke followed her in for second, with Karen Tripp in third.
The course was a frozen, rutty event in the early morning that saw temperatures in the low teens. With the hard packed ground keeping riders on their toes, the race came down not only to the strongest rider, but the most comfortable.
Karen Brems showing her stars, bars, and winning form on the way to her title defense. ©Brian Nelson
“I’m from California, so this is totally new for me. But you can’t freak out, you have to be totally relaxed,” said Brems. “”The first lap, she was right behind me. It was funny, a quarter of the field is named Karen so I couldn’t tell if there were people behind me or who people were cheering for.”
Pfluke, as well, was excited for her second place finish. “I feel great, this was beyond my expectations. I was intimidated by the conditions, because it’s really difficult out there. I had a tentative first lap, but then I got comfortable and started reeling people in. I think if I had one more lap I could have gotten first.”
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2013 Cyclocross World Championships Masters 50-54 Photo Gallery:
2013 Worlds Master Women 50-54 Results
| Pos | Bib | Code | Name | Team | Nat | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | USA19620613 | BREMS Karen | Team Rambuski Law/Team Rambuski | USA | 31:05 |
| 2 | 2 | USA19590221 | PFLUKE Lillian | US Metro Transports | USA | 31:45 |
| 3 | 8 | USA19590420 | TRIPP Karen | Blue Steel Cyclery /Blue Steel | USA | 31:55 |
| 4 | 14 | CAN19621005 | HARLTON Judy | Devon Bicycle Association | CAN | 33:17 |
| 5 | 12 | USA19620320 | PRIETO Susan | Blue Sky Velo | USA | 33:42 |
| 6 | 4 | USA19631126 | LEWIS-SROKA Julie | Lake Effect Cycling Team | USA | 33:52 |
| 7 | 9 | USA19600222 | GARVEY Deirdre | BRAC | USA | 35:22 |
| 8 | 6 | CAN19610916 | HAILL carolyne | Chain Reaction | CAN | 36:37 |
| 9 | 16 | USA19601007 | SCHRYVER Christine | Genesee Valley Cycling Club | USA | 37:06 |
| 10 | 15 | USA19600824 | WILKINSON Karen | Team Group Health/Sound Velo Cy | USA | 37:20 |
| 11 | 10 | CAN19630609 | ANGELES Robyn | Independent | CAN | 37:34 |
| 12 | 7 | USA19621201 | TOURIAN Karen | Guys Racing Club | USA | @1Lap |
| 13 | 3 | USA19631210 | JARZEMKOSKI Teresa | Localcycling.com/Slimenundgross | USA | @1Lap |
| 14 | 5 | USA19630913 | BARNES Anne | USA | @1Lap | |
| 15 | 13 | USA19590222 | CLEARWATER Denise | USA | @2Lap | |
| DNS | 11 | USA19620810 | WALBERG Catherine | USA |
