Brems and Perkins take Masters Women 50-54, 55-59 Titles at the 2015 National Championships – Updated: Full Results, Photo Gallery

Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) getting the holeshot. © Brian Nelson

Austin, TX – Despite the frigid cold weather, the big team winner of the 50-54 Women’s Masters race was California-based Team Rambuski Law, with two of their members, Karen Brems and Katrina Baumsteiger able to land on the podium. Karen Hogan (Team Kappius) was able to take second place in between them.

In the 55-59 race, New Jersey racer Christina Perkins (Team ProPower Coaching) was able to power her way to a great victory, gapping her field even though she was caught up in a crash halfway through the race.

At the start, Brems took an impressive holeshot as she stayed out of her saddle for the full duration of the pavement: an effort that made it look like she would be gassed early in the race. Within a half lap, she was still firing on all cylinders, with only Hogan able to match the intense pace. Even Richard Fries gave a double-take at the start line as he announced the lap times for these women.

Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) at the stairs with Karen Hogan (Team Kappius) right behind.© Brian Nelson

“I thought I could get her in the technical areas and the stairs,” Hogan told Cyclocross Magazine of Brems. Hogan was the smoother of the two along the ruts, and she was one of the best riders in the race up the limestone steps.

This is hardly Brems’ first look from the top of the podium. When the Masters World Championships came to the United States in 2012 and 2103, Brems was able to both win and defend the rainbow colors. While she did not race last year in Boulder, Colorado for the 2014 National Championship, she did take home the stars and stripes jersey the year prior in the 50-54 age group in Madison.

With so many wins under her belt, we had to ask her for training secrets. “You’ve got to train hard,” she answered. “You don’t have to train long, but you’ve got to train hard.” Her full interview after her win can be found below:

Karen Brems takes the Masters 50-54 Women’s Race at the 2015 Nationals. © Cyclocross Magazine

Brems, however was a master on every straightaway, and used her power where she could. When we asked her what features played to her favor on the day, her answer was simple: “Every flat.” That power carried her to an astonishing win on the day, proving that this course doesn’t play favorites to technical riders as was considered yesterday in the singlespeed races.

Christy Perkins survives a crash to win the Masters 55-59 Women’s race at 2015 Cyclocross National. © Cyclocross Magazine

In the 55-59 race, Karen Tripp (Bikeman.com) took the holeshot and controlled much of the early race just as Brems was doing in the heat ahead of her. One of the harsher corners in lap two, however, sent her sprawling. Perkins was close enough behind her that the two were both affected by the crash. The New Jersey rider was able to recover faster, however, and Tripp was caught fighting against mechanical trouble.

Kris Walker (Idaho Cycling Enthusiasts, at right) would win the battle for fourth. © Brian Nelson

As Tripp ran her bike, Laura Howat (Ski Utah/Plan7) passed her and Perkins rode well away from both riders.

“I flipped,” Perkins said of the crash, “but I was able to ride away… You can’t attack this course, you have to let the course come to you,” she finished, offering advice to riders for the rest of the week. She was nearly broken up with emotion at the finish line, offering hugs to everyone within the area.

Full results below the photo gallery.

2015 Cyclocross National Championships, Masters Women 50-54 and 55-59 Photo Gallery:

• Karen Brems takes the Masters 50-54 Women's Race at the 2015 Nationals. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Christy Perkins survives a crash to win the Masters 55-59 Women's race at 2015 Cyclocross National. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) at the stairs with Karen Hogan (Team Kappius right behind.© Brian Nelson

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  Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) at the stairs with Karen Hogan (Team Kappius right behind.© Brian Nelson

  

• Kris Walker (Idaho Cycling Enthusiasts, at right) would win the battle for fourth. © Brian Nelson

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  Kris Walker (Idaho Cycling Enthusiasts, at right) would win the battle for fourth. © Brian Nelson

  

• Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) celebrates a decisive win. © Brian Nelson

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• Christina Perkins (Team ProPower Coaching) taking the win in the Women's 55-59 race. © Brian Nelson

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  Christina Perkins (Team ProPower Coaching) taking the win in the Women's 55-59 race. © Brian Nelson

  

2015 National Championships, Masters Women 55-59

2015 National Championships, Masters Women 50-54