National Championships Masters Women: Iverson, Lockhart, Elgart, Hogan Take Titles – Full Results, Brief Reports

Linda Elgart wins her second national title. Cyclocross Nationals Day 2 © Janet Hill

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BEND, ORE. – The Masters Women’s title races got underway Thursday morning with a course that met with extremely positive feedback from competitors as the terrain continued to thaw, providing the perfect blend between technical and grippy. Last year’s main climb, which was unrideable by most in the early Championship races, was easily tackled this year, and the blend between twisty and wide-open power sections favored riders with balanced strengths.

Lockhart Goes it Alone, Iverson Prevails
Nationals has only just gotten started, and Martha Iverson has already added a second title to the Durango Wheel Club’s tally, with Walt Axthelm bringing home the win in the men’s 75+ event earlier in the morning. Iverson won the 60-64 race in front of Flo Leibowitz. Julie Lockhart lined up with the younger women and rode to the women’s 70+ title uncontested.

Linda Elgart Emerges from Lead Trio in Women’s 55-59
Tove Shere (KHSNM.com) stormed off the start line to an early lead, with Linda Elgart (Alto Velo Racing Club) and Lee Smith (Sound Velo) hot on her heels. The trio quickly built an insurmountable lead over the rest of the field. Shere began to fade as the laps wore on, and with two-and-a-half laps to go, Elgart only got stronger, building up a lead of almost a minute by the time she claimed her Nationals’ jersey. Smith would narrowly edge out Shere for second.

“We’ve been blessed with a muddy season around Sacramento, so I was well prepared for the course conditions today.” Linda’s husband John had brought home a title earlier in the day, making this the second time that the husband and wife duo won championships on the same day, with the previous instance in Napa, California, in 2002.

Walker Wins Thrilling Duel with Ruseckas in 50-54 race
Kris Walker (Church of the Big Ring) aged up a group for this itieration of Nationals, but the result was much the same as she was able to bring home a 2010 National title. The race did not, however, go off without a hitch, as Walker ran into trouble with an early crash.

Marilyn Ruseckas, the defending 50-54 champion, took advantage and was off to an early lead. But Walker proved resourceful and battled her way back to the front, making for a two-woman race. After establishing a slim gap, a bobble by Walker with a half lap to go would enable Ruseckas to rejoin her at the front.

The two continued to battle, with Walker maintaining a slim lead. Walker quickly got around a lapped rider as she neared the end of the race, and Ruseckas was momentarily hung up, adding a little extra cushion to Walker’s winning margin.

Karen Hogan was dominant in the 45+ race. © Tim Westmore

Hogan Outpaces Gibson, Women’s 45-49
Karen Hogan quickly established herself as the woman to beat in the Masters women 45-49 event, carving out a gap in the technical turns on the eastern part of the course. Hogan’s gap would grow to 30 seconds over Velo Bella’s Shannon Gibson, who was relentless in her chase. Hogan, who was able to keep an eye on her competitor thanks to the twists and turns, was quick to credit Gibson’s chase. “I wasn’t gaining much on her lap to lap, she was pushing me,” said Hogan.

Hogan improved her 2009 Nationals result by one important spot, and she was quick to credit the strong local race scene she has. “I’m pack fodder in Colorado,” said Hogan. “I’m measuring myself against some of the girls who are going to do really well in the Elite race there.”

Full reports, quotes, more photos coming soon!

Photo Gallery:

Full Results:

Masters Women 70+

Masters Women 60-64:

Masters Women 55-59:

Masters Women 50-54:

Masters Women 45-49: