The Junior 11-12 Men and Women got the last bit of Saturday's rain, but they still got all of the mud when they took the course for their championship races. Young riders rode and ran the course at Joe Creason Park as supportive parents and friends gathered to cheer them on.
The two race winners came from near and far to win in the Louisville mud.
Chen Tracks Down 11-12 Win
Eire Chen (Team Velosport Junior & U23 Devo) hails from Southern California, so she is not super-acquainted with riding in the wet and muddy conditions present at Joe Creason Park on Saturday.
"This is one of the first times I ever rode in mud," she said. "I kept my hands on the brakes a lot just in case I fall down. I always try to stay in the top of the high line."
Even though Chen does not ride in the mud very often, she did not show it in the Junior Women 11-12 race. Chen joined Lidia Cusack at the front of the race after the first run up the long climb to Pit 2. The two crossed the line together after one lap, while Alexis Jaramillo sat just eight seconds back.
Alyssa Sarkisov led out of the start grid and would finish 4th. Junior Women 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
With little traction available on descents and a long uphill climb, no lead was safe on Saturday, however. There was a lot of racing left to go.
The next lap, Jaramillo bridged up to make it a three-woman group at the bell. At the entrance to the bowl, it was again Cusack and Chen at the front. The two stayed together and hit the last climb together, with Cusack taking the lead.
Lidia Cusack rode to a second place finish in Louisville. Junior Women 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
The two cleared the run wheel to wheel, with only the power straights past Pit 2 and down the boulevard left to go.
"At the top of the hill I tried to pass her because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to pass her on the uphill," Chen said. "I passed her right at the top of the hill, hopped on the bike and sprinted to the finish."
In those power straights, Chen pulled ahead using some skill drawn from another discipline.
"In California there’s a velodrome, and coach Matt helped me learn how to start my sprints. At the beginning of the race I’m able to sprint," Chen said. "Once I got on the pavement I just sprinted as hard as I could."
Chen pulled onto the finishing stretch of pavement first and powered down the straight to secure her victory.
Eire Chen ran to first place in the 11-12 junior category. Junior Women 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Cusack followed close behind with an impressive silver. Jaramillo stayed closed behind to take the bronze.
For more, see the winner interview, photo gallery and results below.
Frazier Wins for the Hometown Fans
All athletes get motivated to race in the National Championships, but George Frazier (1 EYED CAT RACING) had a little extra motivation racing in front of the hometown crowd.
"Everyone here has seen [me win]," he said. "Everyone that I race against has seen it. I think it makes me more motivated to win."
Heavy rain left riders in deep mud that swallowed shoes. Junior Men 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Frazier did not hide his desire to win with his riding. He started fast and carried a lead down into the bowl for the first time. Emiliano Arteaga (The Weather Channel) was the first rider behind him, as the riders at the front spread out in the challenging conditions.
Conditions made the climbs unrideable. Junior Men 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
After the race, Frazier talked about the conditions on the course.
"The hardest part was the mud and the downhills because it was so muddy you couldn’t put out power," he said. "I think the uphill was the worst part. It was just so muddy and you could not ride it at all. I think it was a run for everybody."
Frazier held his lead for the rest of the race to take a victory he really wanted.
"I wanted those Stars-and-Stripes because every year, I would get on the podium and this time I just got tired of being on the podium. I want to win," he said.
George Frazier won the 11-12 category in his hometown of Louisville. Junior Men 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
After a slow first lap, Kai Paterka (Avout Racing) got his mud legs under him and moved his way back through the standings. In the third lap, he finally moved into second and stayed there to take the silver.
Arteaga finished his race strong to take the bronze.
For more, see the winner interview, photo gallery and results below.
This young racer brushed off his number and called it out to officials. Junior Men 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
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Eire Chen: Winner Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWVXmizQuFg
George Frazier: Winner Interview
https://youtu.be/n2y-mTfR6ec
Photo Gallery: Junior 11-12 Women, 2018 Louisville Cyclocross Nationals
Heavy rain left riders in deep mud that swallowed shoes. Junior Men 11-12. 2018 Cyclocross National Championships, Louisville, KY. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
