US Cyclocross championships - CN

Portland, Oregon, USA, December 10-12, 2004

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December 10: Collegiate Women, 40 minutes

Metzger takes first title of the day

By Rob Karman

Melodie Metzger looks relieved
Photo ©: Rob Karman

Cloudy skies, mud and leaves were the main ingredients on the menu for day one of the Health Net 2004 US Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Portland, Oregon. The expected rain was held at bay for the most part with only a few showers coming down during the final race and the awards ceremony. While ideal for spectators, the lack of additional moisture made the muddy course much stickier and with the combination of leaves on the ground, many riders' bikes were clogging and would not roll due to the leaf/mud adobe bricks forming around each bikes' brakes. This made for a definite advantage for riders with more than one bike and a friend or two in the pits to clean them between laps.

Action started at 10am with the Collegiate and U23 women who raced concurrently as most riders qualified to compete in both categories. After a lap or so of jockeying for position, collegiate rider Melodie Metzger (UC Berkeley) emerged at the front and held her lead to the line despite a broken rear derailleur on the final lap that allowed 2nd placed rider Betsy Schauer to almost close the gap. At 27, Metzger obviously did not qualify to claim the U23 title as well, but will be competing in the Elite Women's race on Sunday in the Velo Bella colors. 3rd placed collegiate rider Rebecca Much (Alan Factory) took the U23 title to add to the Junior National titles she already holds on the road.

Photography

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

Catherine Dudley gets ready for a slippery downhill
Melodie Metzger on her way to winning the collegiate women's race

Images by Rob Karman/

Rebecca Much (Alan) won the U23 title on her first try
Collegiate Champ Melodie Metzger (UC Berkeley) did a good deal of running today
Collegiate Champ Melodie Metzger (UC Berkeley) rides through the leaves
Melodie Metzger looks relieved after just barely holding on to her lead after a broken derailleur

Results

1 Melodie Metzger (UC Berkeley)                 40.04
2 Betsy Schauer (FORT-GPOA !)                    0.01
3 Rebecca Much (Alan Factory Team)               0.56
4 Daniele Staskal (Easton)                       0.58
5 Caitlyn Tuel (Penn State)                      1.56
6 Catherine Dudley (University of NH)            2.59
7 Angela Su???? (UW)                                 
8 Mackenzie Dickey (team bicycle alley)          5.01
9 Megan Harrod (Cu-Boulder)                      5.56
10 Kristina Dominic (Fort Lewis college)         6.59
11 Marcia Jensen (Husky Cycling)                     
12 Kami Tremblay (Mica)                          8.56
13 Natalie Stoll (U of New Hampshire)           10.01
14 Teresa Vermillion (University of)            10.58
15 Diana Spring (Husky Cycling)                 11.58
16 Onawa Pelham (Unattached)                    11.59
17 Susan Grandjean (Unattached)                 12.56