Nash wins Whiskey off road crit

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Forty-six women competed in the women’s pro criterium to the delight of massive crowds who lined nearly every foot of the course. Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) attacked with one lap to go and nobody could respond. She crossed the line alone to take the victory. World X-Terra Champion Lesley Patterson (Scott) was competitive the whole race but settled for second place. US Pro XCT series leader Chloe Woodruff (Crank Brothers) was third. After a poor start, Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) clawed her way back to fourth position. Kelli Emmett (Team Giant) finished fifth.

Unlike the men’s race, the women’s race came apart much earlier. Nash said, “At one point I looked back and there were just four of us. I was quite surprised since I thought we had a large group together.”

At various times Patterson, Woodruff, and Emmett could be seen on the front. Nash seemed content to sit in and wait for the right moment to attack. Her pedigree as the most successful short track racer in the USA was well known to her rivals.

Woodruff came to Prescott a month ago to train. She said, “It’s phenomenal here. We’ve had a wonderful welcome in town. The weather has been perfect and the trails are endless. Part of the draw to come here a month ago was to get acclimated to the altitude. In Tucson we’re much lower so last year up here I definitely felt the altitude.”

For most of the race Nash, Patterson, Woodruff, and Emmett raced as a group. It was not until the last couple of laps that Gould made contact and eventually picked off Emmett.

On the second to last lap Nash made her move. “It’s always a bit different on pavement," said Nash. "This was a good course and I felt good. It was pretty painful but worked out pretty well. I just had a bit more acceleration than my group of three at the end and was able to hold it (the lead). I punched it on the second hill before coming down for the last lap.”

WHISKEY OFF ROAD DAY 1 from Epic Rides on Vimeo.

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