. MCCONNELOUG IS U.S. WOMEN XC CHAMP
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On Friday, the 2007 U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships were opened by Mary McConneloug who won a national title at the elite women’s cross-country race. McConneloug won the event for the second time since U.S. Cycling introduced the single-day national championship format in 2004. She won her last title in 2005 at Mammoth lakes, CA.
McConneloug entered the event fresh from her silver-medal performance last weekend at the XV Pan American Games. She was in a strong position over the rest of the 43 riders.
The 15-mile contest was completed in 2 hours, 6 mins and 59 seconds. Georgia Gould, the defending champion, finished
McConneloug stated that this was the main goal of my season. I had one goal: to win the national championship back.
Three laps of the five-mile circuit at Southern Vermont’s Mount Snow Resort were required.
McConneloug immediately increased the pace, with a 23 second advantage over Koerber, and a buffer of 30 seconds over Gould after their first loop. One lap later, McConnelougs advantage had
Increased to
So basically, my previous title reminded me to not get behind anyone.
McConneloug said that she just needed to find the right pace and ride her own way.
It was perfect, the mud was so smooth you could almost float through it
it.
McConnelougs victory at Mount Snow Resort was her 2nd consecutive win. She also won the Norbas National Mountain Bike Series cross-country race in 2006. It was also her.
Third career national cross-country title. Won the overall points classification back.
2003, when the U.S. Champion was America’s top American in Norba Series.
Heather Irmiger was fourth. Champion Shonny Vanlandingham was fifth.
McConnelougs win will also make her eligible to be nominated to represent the U.S.
The Mountain Bike World Championships will be held in Fort William, Scotland, in September. She joins
Koerber, Gould and others who were previously in the top five at World Cup
This season, there will be plenty of competition. The national championships’ top three finishers on Friday also
The U.S. is ranked number 1 in the world for women’s mountain biking. Individually,
Gould currently ranks fourth in the world, ahead of McConneloug (7th), and Koerber (9th).
U23 MEN
Sam Jurekovic, a member of the U.S. National Development Team, defeated Sam Schultz, the defending champion in the Under-23 mens race. Jurekovic won with a time of
It was clear that it was a two-man race after the first lap. Schultz, Jurekovic and others were separated
Only two seconds. Schultz seemed to be in control after the second lap, opening up a gap 25 seconds at half-way. The leaders’ fortunes were suddenly reversed by lap three. Jurekovic was 45 seconds ahead. This lead he maintained over the final five miles to secure his victory.
I was right with Sam up until the second lap, when I went over Jurekovic’s handlebars.
He spoke of the 20 seconds that he lost on his second lap. U.S. joined me after I was fully recovered.
Colin (Cares), national teammate, was there for a lap but rode off on the climb. It was very difficult.
chase. But when I finally caught up with Sam on the third mountain summit,
lap, I rode right alongside him. I didn’t look back and just kept going.
Colin Cares finished third in a strong race.
2007 was the second consecutive year of the U23 contest.
The top three podium spots were swept by Cares. It was the sweep of the U.S National Development Team last year, with teammates Jurekovic, Cares and Schultz finishing first, second, and third, respectively. Schultz was awarded a spot on Subaru-Gary Fisher’s pro team for 2007. He entered the event on Friday as a marked person in his final season of U23 eligibility.
Schultz stated that I felt amazing today. I was leading for the majority of the race but Sam just surpassed me.
I started riding very strong. After he passed me, I tried to salvage my losses. He
It was a good gap, and I began cramping severely. It was just that I didn’t have the right feeling.
Today, legs
Chloe Forsman, the reigning Division I Collegiate National Champion in the women’s U23 event was
To win the national title, she improved on her second place finish from a year earlier. Forsman was clocked
A third-place finish is a win
JUNIOR ACTION
Two junior experts will be nominated to the Olympics by two athletes.
After winning their respective events, the U.S. National Team was selected for the World Championships.
Friday: Ethan Gilmour, Stephanie White
DUAL SLALOM QUALIFYING
On Friday, Eric Carter (Mongoose), was awarded the top seed in dual slalom ahead Cole Bangert and Mike Haderer in the qualifying round.
Melissa Buhl (KHS), was the fastest woman in the pro women’s dual slalom qualifier.
The top seed was won by Kathy Pruitt (Jamis), and Lisa Myklak(Leelikesbikes). The
The finals of both the women’s and men’s pro dual slaloms are set for Saturday night.
The 2007 U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships, brought to you today by X-Fusion, continues on Saturday with the pro mens race, observed trials and junior downhill
Open single-speed competitions as well as several amateur cross country categories.
PRO WOMENXC RESULTS
1. Mary McConnelougKenda-Seven 2. Georgia GouldLuna-Chix+ Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisher Heather IrmigerSubaru–Gary Fisher 5. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chix 6. Susan HaywoodTrek – VW8.56
7. Lea DavisonTrek-VW8.57
8. Kelli EmmettGiant16.02
9. Jamie WhitmoreCannondale-Michelin20.15
10. Zephanie BlasiKenda/X-Fusion/Titus21.20
U23 CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
1. Sam JurekovicU.S. National 2. Sam SchultzSubaru–Gary Fisher+ Colin CaresU.S. National Chance NobleCal Giant Specialialized1 5. Mitchell PetersonDevo1
U23 WOMENSXC RESULTS
1. Chloe ForsmanLuna Chix 2. Caitlyn TuelTrek-VW+ 3. Natasha CowieVelo Bella 4. Jamie DinkinsVantaggio 5. Sabrina KraushaarHealt2
JUNIOR EXPERT 17-18XC RESULTS
1. Ethan GilmourDevoOkemo 2. Greg CarpenterGiant Devo+ Chris PetersonDevo Stephen EttingerArlberg Sports 5. Tristan Cowie
JUNIOR EXPERT WOMENS XC RESULTS
1. Stephanie WhiteVelo Bella 2. Essence BartonDevo – NSO+
Jill BehlenTokyo Josephs 4. Lydia TannerTokyo Joes Deidre YorkVelobum1
