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We have our new USA elite ‘cross champions—and for the first time in a long time, they’re not riding a Cannondale or named Compton. Clara Honsinger put an end to Katie Compton’s 15 year stranglehold on the stars and stripes jersey with a convincing win in Lakewood, Washington, on Sunday, December 15. Compton wasn’t too far behind, though, and was all smiles as she crossed the line in third. Rebecca Fahringer took second.
Gage Hecht won the elite men’s race by surging to an early lead then holding off defending champion Stephen Hyde and his teammate Curtis White. Though in hot pursuit of Hecht, the duo riding for Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com couldn’t reel him back. With both winners coming in at 22 and 21 respectively, the future of USA cyclocross looks like it has already arrived.
Elite Women
New champion Clara Honsinger and outgoing champion Katie Compton smile on the podium SundayClara Honsinger won the women’s elite race.Honsinger was in disbelief after winning.Katie Compton took an early lead, making it look like a 16th consecutive title was in the works. But it wouldn’t last.Katie Compton, right, went back and forth with Courtenay McFadden on the first lap.Clara Honsinger en route to victory.A young cyclocross fan enjoys a sandwich while watching the elite women’s race.Ellen Campbell crests a fly over in the women’s elite race.Compton waving to the crowd after finishing in third.Fans were out in force, streaming between the best vantage points all day long.
Elite Men
Gage Hecht leading the men’s elite race early.Defending champion Stephen Hyde congratulates new champion Gage Hecht post race.Stephen Hyde was allowed to compete in his stars and stripes jersey during the national championship.Gage Hecht got out to an early lead.The men’s elite field on the first run up.James Driscoll leads a group down the first descent.The men’s elite podium: (L-R) Curtis White, Gage Hecht and Stephen Hyde.Logan Owen, bottom, stayed near the front of the race to finish seventh.Former champion Hyde welcomes Hecht to the top step of the podium.Hecht (left) was dangling out in front of Hyde (center) and White (right) most of the race.The Disco Drop gnar meter.Hecht en route to victory.Gage Hecht was understandably happy after crossing the finish line first.Logan Owen, who races in the WorldTour for EF-Education First, made a return to cyclocross, finishing seventh.Robert Cummings getting cheered on by fansThe new generation of U.S. cyclocross champions
U23 Men
Eric Brunner won the U23 men’s race.Lane Maher leading the U23 field on the first lap.Fans lined the run ups and descents.Jack Tanner with eventual winner Eric Brunner (right) close behind.You can’t go long without rain in the Pacific Northwest; the descents were expectedly muddy.Seamus O’Connor-Walker looked super focused on his race.
Singlespeed
Perhaps best encapsulating the spirit and lifestyle of ‘cross, singlespeed racers were out in force on Saturday with racers wearing everything from traditional spandex to denim vests…and some outfits that we’re still trying to figure out. Sarah Sturm and Jake Wells both repeated as champions.
With 135 racers, the descents in the men’s singlespeed race were fun to watch.Sarah Sturm, wearing a denim vest and jorts, on her way to defending her singlespeed title.A whopping 135 people contested the men’s singlespeed race.A Schwinn exercise bike and cymbal make an ideal heckling contraption.Jake Wells leading the singlespeed race on his way to defending his title.Wipeouts were plentiful on the Disco Drop.Very plentiful.
But many racers were able to navigate the steep, muddy, rutted-out descent.A festive ‘cross piñata watches over a descent.Racers competed in cutoffs, denim and……this.
