Haskell, Duke claim masters women's titles

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The 30-34 masters women led off the afternoon's action, with Devon Haskell (Bike Station Aptos) taking a 10-second win ahead of endurance mountain bike pro racer Amanda Carey (Kenda).

"I got off to a good start," said Haskell. "It was a back and forth battle with Amanda, but it was a good race to the end." On the final lap, Haskell nearly let victory slip away. "I came into the barriers and had a bit of a stumble, but I was able to regain control and kept going to the win."

The women's 35-39 race saw fewer lead changes. After Sally Annis (Northeast Bicycle Club) shot off at the start and led from pavement to dirt, Nicole Duke (Hudz-Subaru), dubbed "the one to beat" by race announcers during intros, claimed the lead through the end of the first lap and never looked back.

"I just tried to stay with Sally at the front," said Duke. "Usually I try to get the hole shot. Sally had a bobble on an early turn so I took advantage."

Duke established a sizable lead over the field during lap two, but Barbara Howe (Ibis and the Danger Twins) sought to close the gap. Howe pulled within 10 seconds during the third trip over the flyover, but wasn't able to rein Duke in any further."

Duke, a former professional mountain biker, will join Haskell in the women's elite race on Sunday. "Now I know where I can recover, where I can attack, what lines I can take."

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