Clara Honsinger repeats as US national champion in Wheaton, IL
(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) won her second elite women's CX national crown, this time at Cantigny Park in DuPage County, Illinois
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
And they're off... led by Sunny Gilbert into the first turn of the elite women's contest
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger leads up the Mt Abus climb with two laps to go
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger on the first lap unclips to negotiate a corner descending Mt Abus
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
In the long sand pit Clara Honsinger rides at the front on lap one
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Taylor Kuyk-White, doubled up for the week, finishing sixth in the Elite race after winning the Masters Women 35-39 age group on Friday
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Elite women's podium (L to R): second place Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing), winner Clara Honsinger (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), third place Sunny Gilbert (Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build)
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Raylyn Nuss finishes second
(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)
Sunny Gilbert held a short lead on Hannah Arensman (Sycamore Cycles) going into the final lap
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Sunny Gilbert holds off Hannah Arensman for third place
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Sara Sturm celebrates her finish in the women's elite race with 21st place
(Image credit: SnowyMountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld) came into the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships off the back of a successful early-season campaign that included a World Cup podium and a victory at Koppenbergcross, so it was no surprise when the 24-year-old repeated as elite women's national champion.
Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation) got around Gilbert to finish second, while Gilbert held on to take third ahead of Hannah Arensman (Sycamore Cycles).
Honsinger tucked in behind Sunny Gilbert (Blue Competition Cycles), who took the hole shot, then made her move in the sandpit. The only rider able to stay on the bike for the whole section, Honsinger emerged with a gap that she only added to with every lap.
On a sunny, blustery day, Honsinger battled with thick mud coating her bike. Thanks to the quick work of her pit crew, she never struggled and won with more than three minutes to spare over Nuss.
It was a title defence delayed by one year because of the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations of 2020, but Honsinger is looking forward to a third year in the stars and stripes.
"Honestly I think I took it for granted that I got two years in the jersey without having to fight the second year. Coming into this race, I said I feel very comfortable in this jersey and I don't want to give it up," Honsinger said.
"Having not raced with these women, I didn't know what to expect so I just went full gas."
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Honsinger will head back to Europe in the morning for a full campaign that ends in time for her to return to US soil for the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
"I think folks identify me as the one in the stars and stripes, so I also felt pressure to come back and represent the United States in this jersey," Honsinger said.
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Full Results
Pos.
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Clara Honsinger (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com
0:47:42
2
Raylyn Nuss (USA) Steve Tilford Foundation Racing
0:03:16
3
Sunny Gilbert (USA) Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build
Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.
