Webber Masters His Own Course Design Again to Win 45-49 Title – 2015 National Championships – Updated: Full Results, Photo Gallery

Pete Webber moves up in category, wins 45-49 Masters Men, 2015 Cyclocross National Championship. © Cyclocross Magazine

AUSTIN, Texas – Just as Brandon Dwight did earlier in the day in the 40-44 race, Pete Webber continued Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo’s impressive win streak in the Masters category that stretched back to 2009.

Kenny Wehn of Boulder took the holeshot in the Men’s 45-49 race, not an easy feat considering that the field was jam-packed with 148 riders. His position was far from secure however, although Pete Webber admitted to us after the race that his start wasn’t great. The first two laps were marked with constant lead changes as Webber worked his way up.

Roger Aspholm (Finkraft Cycling) took the lead early in the race, and he would continue to act as a major presence all throughout the race. Another name to remember was Kevin Obrien (Groove Subaru), who took charge of the race after the men passed the lap marker for the first time.

Roger Aspholm (Finkraft Cycling) and Kevin Obrien (Groove Subaru Excel Sports). © Brian Nelson/ Cyclocross Magazine

Meanwhile Webber and Bill Elliston (Van Dessel Factory Team) reattached themselves to the leaders, creating a group of seven who were all in the hunt for the win. By the time they came back around to the pavement, Webber had taken the lead, was attacking, and created a small gap with only Michael Yozell (Lamprey Systems) able to stay in tow.

Last year’s winner Tim Faia struggled in his title defense and was fighting an illness. The defending champion would finish far back in 24th.

Defending champion Tim Faia had a tough race to finish 20th. © Cyclocross Magazine

Ten-time National Champion (at the time, now 11) Katie Compton was seen out on the course, cheering on racers, particularly Colorado-based racers, and especially her husband, Mark Legg-Compton. The New Zealander was able to contest Masters races at Nationals, and finished 21st.

Don Myrah chasing back from his tire issue. © Cyclocross Magazine

Don Myrah, who provided a great race with Webber five years ago in Bend, Oregon the last time the two overlapped, had a poor start but was working his way up to sixth before an untimely rolled tubular. The 2014 Masters World Champion and silver medalist in Boulder would fall way back after his run to the pits. He’d claw his way back to 35th.

Pete Webber ages up, wins 45-49 National Championship in Austin. © Cyclocross Magazine

Webber shed himself of Yozell in short order, and kept a consistent pace ahead of his chasers for a great victory. The chasers were bunched together, and the race came down to the line. Yozell had a small lead, but Obrien was surging forward.

Mike Yozell pips Kevin O’Brien for second in the Masters 45-49 race in Austin. © Cyclocross Magazine

The Groove Subaru rider nearly had the second place, but Yozell won by a wheel, and promptly pounded his handlebars. He later reached out to Cyclocross Magazine to explain that the gesture wasn’t due to thinking he had lost second, but the realization that he had lost his opportunity for first place when he slipped on the limestone staircase earlier in the race.

As Webber won last year at Boulder during the 2014 Cyclocross National Championship, also on a course he designed, we had to ask him if Zilker Park was on equal footing with Valmont Park. “Zilker is a great venue, lots of natural features that play into a course like this…” he replied with a pause, although he clearly had an addendum. “But, there are a lot of years that went into turning Valmont into what it is today.”

When we asked him about some of his favorite features of the course, he cocked his head around to the course like a proud father. Surprisingly, he didn’t signal to the muddy off-cambers in sight of the announcers or the limestone staircases. He favored the off-cambers in the back side of the course.

By the time the Elites took the field the following Monday, a solid rut carved into many of the hillsides. Better still, it was one of the best gathering spots for spectators to watch the pros handle a course feature that seemed so daunting to many in the days before.

Tech notes: Webber raced a Focus Mares disc-brake equipped bike, with SRAM Force CX1 and hydraulic brakes, but relied on a MRP Chainguard to ensure his chain stayed on the wide/narrow chainring:

Masters 45-49 – 2015 Cyclocross National Championships Photo Gallery:

• Pete Webber moves up in category, wins 45-49 Masters Men, 2015 Cyclocross National Championship. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Roger Aspholm (Finkraft Cycling) and Kevin Obrien (Groove Subaru Excel Sports). © Brian Nelson

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  Roger Aspholm (Finkraft Cycling) and Kevin Obrien (Groove Subaru Excel Sports). © Brian Nelson

  

• Pete Webber ages up, wins 50-54 National Championship in Austin. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Michael Robson (Moots) raced to finish sixth in the Masters 45-49 race. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Mike Yozell pips Kevin O'Brien for second in the Masters 45-49 race in Austin. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Defending champion Tim Faia had a tough race to finish 20th. © Cyclocross Magazine

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• Kelly Niquette in time trial mode to finish 26th. © Cyclocross Magazine Cyclocross Magazine

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• Don Myrah chasing back from his tire issue. © Cyclocross Magazine

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2015 National Championships, Masters 45-49