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Finsterwald, Woodruff claim Short Track titles

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Wells flats out of title fight in bell lap

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Four-time STXC National Champion Todd Wells shortly before staging of the STXC National Championships in Mammoth. Wells looks for advantages in everything from aero helmets to ultra-lightweight tires for the twenty minute and three lap format.

Four-time STXC National Champion Todd Wells shortly before staging of the STXC National Championships in Mammoth. Wells looks for advantages in everything from aero helmets to ultra-lightweight tires for the twenty minute and three lap format. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Lea Davison led the field up the first lap climb.

Lea Davison led the field up the first lap climb. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Chloe Woodruff was on the front of the field on the second lap, here leading Rose Grant.

Chloe Woodruff was on the front of the field on the second lap, here leading Rose Grant. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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By the third lap, a select group had formed of Chloe Woodruff, Lea Davison, and Georgia Gould, though they would not stay in contact long.

By the third lap, a select group had formed of Chloe Woodruff, Lea Davison, and Georgia Gould, though they would not stay in contact long. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Chloe Woodruff was solo by the fourth lap. The Prescott, Arizona resident makes a full schedule of national and World Cup races.

Chloe Woodruff was solo by the fourth lap. The Prescott, Arizona resident makes a full schedule of national and World Cup races. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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On the penultimate lap, Lea Davison caught and led Chloe Woodruff.

On the penultimate lap, Lea Davison caught and led Chloe Woodruff. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Defending champion Georgia Gould finished third.

Defending champion Georgia Gould finished third. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Chloe Woodruff distanced Lea Davison in the final lap to win the STXC National Championship by several bike lengths.

Chloe Woodruff distanced Lea Davison in the final lap to win the STXC National Championship by several bike lengths. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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With forty starters, the descent in the forest section quickly became a dusty conga line of racers.

With forty starters, the descent in the forest section quickly became a dusty conga line of racers. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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The STXC course features 800’ of climbing per lap, which at 9000’ elevation, makes for a challenging effort. The pro women were completing laps in roughly three minutes.

The STXC course features 800’ of climbing per lap, which at 9000’ elevation, makes for a challenging effort. The pro women were completing laps in roughly three minutes. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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The Pro Women’s field rolls out from the start at the Mammoth Mountain ski resort.

The Pro Women’s field rolls out from the start at the Mammoth Mountain ski resort. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Russell Finsterwald now has an Professional STXC National Championship to add to his 2009 Junior STXC National Championship.

Russell Finsterwald now has an Professional STXC National Championship to add to his 2009 Junior STXC National Championship. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Lea Davison was upbeat before taking to the track for practice laps.

Lea Davison was upbeat before taking to the track for practice laps. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Todd Wells led the field on the first lap. Shortly before the start, Wells said that anyone not on the front in the opening lap would be lost in the dust on the short, twisty descent.

Todd Wells led the field on the first lap. Shortly before the start, Wells said that anyone not on the front in the opening lap would be lost in the dust on the short, twisty descent. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Russell Finsterwald made his way around Todd Wells after three laps, and the pair built quickly built an eight-second advantage on the field.

Russell Finsterwald made his way around Todd Wells after three laps, and the pair built quickly built an eight-second advantage on the field. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Alex Grant rode solo but consistently for the duration of the short track event, netting third place.

Alex Grant rode solo but consistently for the duration of the short track event, netting third place. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Stephan Davoust had a huge ride in the short track championship, overcoming early-race setbacks through a multiple-lap chase to catch the leaders.

Stephan Davoust had a huge ride in the short track championship, overcoming early-race setbacks through a multiple-lap chase to catch the leaders. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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In the final two laps, Stephan Davoust led Russell Finsterwald and Todd Wells up the climb after chasing for the majority of the race.

In the final two laps, Stephan Davoust led Russell Finsterwald and Todd Wells up the climb after chasing for the majority of the race. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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In the sportsman move of the day, and heartbreak of the day: Stephan Davoust reaches out to fellow Durango resident Todd Wells while passing him on last lap after Wells flatted while in the the lead of the short track championship event.

In the sportsman move of the day, and heartbreak of the day: Stephan Davoust reaches out to fellow Durango resident Todd Wells while passing him on last lap after Wells flatted while in the the lead of the short track championship event. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Russell Finsterwald is the new STCX National Champion.

Russell Finsterwald is the new STCX National Champion. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
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Kate Courtney, fresh off renewing her U23 Cross Country title on the previous day, takes to the line on the front row of the Pro Women’s STXC championship event.

Kate Courtney, fresh off renewing her U23 Cross Country title on the previous day, takes to the line on the front row of the Pro Women’s STXC championship event. (Image credit: Wil Matthews)

Russell Finsterwald (SRAM-Troy Lee Designs Race Team) and Chloe Woodruff (Team Stan’s NoTubes-Niner) claimed the short track national championships on Friday in Mammoth Mountain, California.

Finsterwald was locked in battle with four-time short track champion Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing) for most of the 20-minute race, but Wells suffered a puncture in the penultimate lap, leaving Finsterwald to solo away to victory. Stephan Davoust (Giant Southwest Racing) soloed in for silver ahead of Alex Grant (Roadbiker-Cannondale).

“It’s pretty special to come back here,” Woodruff said after the race. “I won the expert women’s short track jersey here 10 years ago, so it’s great to be back. I was kind of thinking that would be really cool to win it 10 years later.

Full Results

#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Russell Finsterwald (USA)0:28:48
2Stephan Davoust (USA) Giant Southwest Racing0:00:19
3Alexander Grant (USA)0:00:33
4Richard Cypress Gorry (USA) Whole Athlete/ Specialized Cycling Team0:00:49
5Ryan Standish (USA)0:01:09
6Luke Vrouwenvelder (USA)0:01:10
7Payson Mcelveen (USA)0:01:11
8Kyle Trudeau (USA)0:01:18
9W Grant Ellwood (USA) Boulder Junior Cycling0:01:26
10Sepp Kuss (USA) LiVe Well p/b Bountiful Bicycle0:01:34
11Ryan Geiger (USA)0:01:42
12Troy Wells (USA) TEAM CLIF BAR Cycling0:01:43
13Carl Decker (USA)0:01:50
14Braden Kappius (USA) TEAM CLIF BAR Cycling0:01:55
15Menso De Jong (USA) TEAM CLIF BAR Cycling0:01:55
16Kerry Werner (USA)0:01:56
17Todd Wells (USA)0:02:11
18Lucas Rowton (USA) Montrose Cycling Club0:02:18
19Joseph Maloney (USA)
20Justin Desilets (USA) Adobe Cycling
21Levi Kurlander (USA) Fort Lewis College
22Travis (Tj) Woodruff (USA)
23Kevin Day (USA) Team Endurance 360
24Nolan Brady (USA) Giant Southwest Racing
25Cole House (USA) Isagenix / SeaSucker / Guttenplan Coaching
26Ben Ortt (USA)
27Garrett Gerchar (USA)
28Benjamin Senkerik (USA) Team Extreme
29Justin Toepel (USA) Groove Subaru Excel Sports
30Josh Gallen (USA)
31Brett Denney (USA)
32Sam Chovan (USA)
33Joshua Murdock (USA)
34Nick Thomas (USA)
35Ian Wilkey (USA)
36Derek Hermon (USA)
37Cody Cupp (USA)
38David Flaten (USA) US Military Cycling Team
DNSHoward Grotts (USA)
DNSElliot Reinecke (USA)

Elite Women
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Chloe Woodruff (USA)0:29:25
2Lea Davison (USA)0:00:04
3Georgia Gould (USA)0:00:30
4Rose Grant (USA)0:00:31
5Amy Beisel (USA)0:01:11
6Kate Courtney (USA)0:01:40
7Alexis Skarda (USA)0:02:22
8Shayna Powless (USA)0:02:27
9Emily Shields (USA) Stan's NoTubes P/b Proferrin0:03:09
10Ally Stacher (USA)
11Hannah Finchamp (USA)
12Nina Baum (USA)
13Elisa Otter (USA) Bicycle Express Racing
14Emily Schaldach (USA) University of Colorado Boulder
15Abbey Alexiades (USA) Giant Northeast Off-Road Racing
DNFKaylee Blevins (USA)
DNSErin Huck (USA)
DNSJohanne Albrigtsen (USA) Boulder Junior Cycling

 

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