Women's Podium, Clara Honsinger (EF Education First - Tibco - SVB) 1st, Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing 2nd, Austin Killips (nice bikes) 3rd(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger (EF Education First - Tibco - SVB) 2022 National Cyclocross Champion(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing) gives Clara Honsinger (EF Education - Tibco - SVB) a warm embrace and congratulate her on her victory.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger (EF Education First - Tibco - SVB) established a commanding lead midway through the race.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation) extended her lead over Clara Honsinger (EF Education - Tibco - SVB) when the latter slipped under the course fencing on the third off-camber descent off of the leeve.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Caitlin Bernstein and Austin Killips of Nice Bikes lead the womens field into the first right hand corner.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Pan American Champion, Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation) took over the lead heading into the first of three run-ups on the levee that protects Hartford from the Connecticut River.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Despite reports that suggested the event may be marred by a hateful protest, the only signs seen on course were in support of the trans riders in the pro women's field.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Austin Killips (Nice bikes) spent most of the race battling Hannah Arensman (Ignition P-B Rigd-Leitner) for the third podium spot after the two leaders escaped the rest of the field.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger (EF Education First - Tibco - SVB) makes her way through the boathouse, an additional feature that was not included in the previous National Championship at the same venue in 2017.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Georgia Gould (Georgia Gould Coaching) finished 9th in her first appearance at a US Cyclocross National Championship since since she finished 2nd in 2016.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Hannah Dickson makes her way into the pit for a new bike. As the day progressed the course got softer and more muddy creating a hectic day for mechanics and power washers in the pits.(Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)
Clara Honsinger won her third elite women’s national crown with ease on Sunday at a snowy edition of the US Cyclocross National Championships. The EF Education-TIBCO-SVB rider pulled away from her nearest competitors on the second lap and never looked back.
Raylyn Nuss (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing) finished a strong ride in second place, 1:37 back. In the chase for the final medal and podium spot, Austin Killips (Nice Bikes) finished third to hold off Hannah Arensman (Ignition p/b Rigd-Leitner) by just two seconds.
It was the third consecutive elite women’s title for Honsinger.
“This race is honestly one of the highest pressure races of the year for me. I spent time studying the course. I tried not to let all the hype around it get to me,” Honsinger said.
“My preparations began along time ago on the road, so getting those miles in the summer [helped]. I’ve always had a target for Nationals this weekend.”
The Nice Bikes duo of Caitlin Bernstein and Killips moved to the front from the holeshot, side by side, to begin the elite women’s race. Then Regina Legge (Competitive Edge Racing) moved to the front for the first few turns before slipping out of her pedal and back to fifth.
Race favourite Honsinger made her way from eighth to fourth place on the triple section of run-ups. She tried to ride to the lead in an off-camber turn and fell into the fencing, sliding back to second place between leader Nuss and the Nice Bikes duo in a close chase. Riding in the Pan-Am white jersey, Nuss hit the throttle in the woods to try to create more separation, but did not shake Honsinger.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
On an open section of dirt, Honsinger passed Nuss as the second lap was underway. Behind, Killips made a bike change to try to close down a gap of 30 seconds, her teammate Bernstein dropping several positions.
Arensman, 24 years old, moved into fourth place while veteran rider Georgia Gould (Georgia Gould Coaching), 42, moved into fifth place. She last raced ‘cross nationals in 2016 in Asheville, North Carolina where she won her fourth silver medal in the elite race.
Snow showers returned at Riverside Park at the mid-point of the contest with the freezing temperatures firming up the mud. Honsinger had established a solid lead over Nuss and focused on a time-trial style ride.
Nuss seemed to struggle a little in the rutty, mud sections in the woods as she maintained 25 seconds over Killips, who was soon overtaken by Arensman to start the fourth lap. Jenna Lingwood (Point S Nokian), Bernstein and Anna Megale (Comp Edge Racing) moved ahead of Gould to form a large chase group in fifth to seventh places.
As the snow fell harder and began to stick on the grass, the two-time elite national champion hit the throttle as she extended her lead on the final two circuits. Most of the riders were clocking laps at 10-plus minutes while Honsinger had consistent laps between 9:33 to 9:55 after the opening round.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Results
Pos.
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Clara Honsinger (USA) EF Education-TIBCO-SVB
0:48:58
2
Raylyn Nuss (USA) Steve Tilford Foundation
0:01:37
3
Austin Killips (USA) nice bikes
0:03:26
4
Hannah Arensman (USA) Ignition p/b Rigd-Leitner
0:03:28
5
Jenna Lingwood (USA) Point S Nokian
0:03:45
6
Anna Megale (USA) Comp Edge Racing
0:03:48
7
Sunny Gilbert (USA) Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build
0:03:57
8
Caitlin Bernstein (USA) nice bikes
0:04:03
9
Georgia Gould (USA) Georgia Gould Coaching
0:05:35
10
Emily Werner (USA) Emmys Sweets pb Kens Bike Shop
0:07:07
11
Sophie Russenberger (USA) Team S&M CX
0:07:47
12
Amelia Shea (USA) Feedback Sports
0:08:05
13
Crystal Anthony (USA) Georgia Gould Coaching
0:08:18
14
Jennifer Malik (USA) Smanie pb Paradise Garage
0:08:26
15
Regina Legge (USA) Competitive Edge Racing
0:08:47
16
Meghan Owens (USA) RSCX-House Industries
0:09:19
17
Brenna Wrye-Simpson (USA) Team S&M CX
18
Erin Feldhausen (USA) Trek Midwest Team
19
Ellie Mitchell (USA) Colorado Mesa University
20
Rachel Rubino (USA) Nice Bikes
21
Katherine Rusch (USA) BikeReg-Share Coffee
22
Danielle Power (USA) Corner Cycle
23
Kim Coleman (USA) Green Mountain CX
24
Anna Dorovskikh (USA) Orion Racing p-b Borah Teamwear
Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.
