Wendy Williams Outsprints Gina Hall in Masters Women’s 40-44 Race – UPDATED: More Pictures

Wendy Williams glued to Hall's wheel. © Cyclocross Magazine

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BEND, ORE. – Wendy Williams (River City Bicycles) came onto the finishing paved straightaway wheel-to-wheel with defending Masters champ Gina Hall (Cal Giant-Specialized) and was able to just edge out the California rider to claim her title. Williams, who repeated as the Elite overall champion of Oregon’s competitive Cross Crusades series, adds this jersey to a previous win in the 35-39 age group.

From the gun, Wendy took off and immediately grabbed a commanding lead, gaining nearly ten seconds halfway through the first lap; by the end of the lap, Hall had closed battled back to within five seconds. Local Bend resident Brenna Lopez-Otero showed early promise, holding on to second for much of the first lap before Hall overtook her, ultimately fading to eighth place.

Defending 40+ champ Gina Hall leading eventual winner Wendy Williams. © Cyclocross Magazine

By the third of four laps, second year racer Katrina Dowidchuk was looking to have a podium finish, hanging on to a strong third place position. It’s unsure whether a mechanical, crash, or simply tired legs were the cause of her dropping down, but she crossed the finish line in seventeenth place.

At the beginning of the final lap, it was a two-horse race, with Hall trying to drop a persistent Williams clinging to her wheel. “I knew if we got to the pavement together, I would be able to take her,” said Williams, “so I just sat on and let her lead the lap.”

Hall’s perspective was similar.”I knew Wendy had a strong sprint, so I was hoping to get a gap before the pavement,” she said.

Both were correct, though Hall’s bid was unsuccessful. She was unable to shake Williams off her wheel before the two stormed onto the pavement — after a strong surge, Williams came across the line with a smile; two seconds later Hall, head lowered, followed.

Christina Probert overcame a slow start to work herself up to third place, claiming the final position on the podium. Stella Carey and Helene Drumm both battled hard to round out the top five.

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