Americans Claim Six More Gold Medals, Great Britain Two on final day of Cyclocross Masters World Championships

Racing concluded today at the 2012 UCI Masters World Championships today with six more Americans claiming the top step of the podium with Great Britain claiming two Gold Medals out of eight.

With conditions changing throughout the day, the Women 50-54 took to the course while it was still covered in a coating of snow and frozen ruts.  Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law – USA) claimed victory, followed by Kris Walker (Contender Bicycles – USA) and Ruth Sherman (Corning/ No-Tubes – USA) rounded out the podium.

As the temperatures rose, Women 55-59 took to the course in a hard fought race that ultimately saw Kathy Sarvary (Blue Steel Cyclery – USA) claim the Rainbow Jersey ahead of Elizabeth Heller (Dressell’s Pub – USA) and Diane Ostenso (Planet Bike – USA)

Karen Wells-Hamilton (BioWheels/ Reece Campbell Racing – USA) won Gold in the Women’s 60-64 division while multi-time National Champion Julie Lockhart claimed her Rainbow Jersey in the Women’s 65+ race.

As the day progressed the frozen ruts gave way to perfect muddy conditions under sunny skies. Glen Norton (Team Redline -USA) claimed the first Gold for the men today in the 60-64 division ahead of Fred Wittwer (Alan North America Cycling Team – USA) and Greg Pautsch (Planet Bike – USA) .

The American’s lock on the top step of the podium was broken when Great Britains’s Victor Barnett (Welland Valley CC) stormed to victory in the 65-69 group ahead of John Elgart (Webcor/ Alto Velo – USA) and James Wagner (Cycle Therapy- USA).

John Ginley (Condor Road Team) kept England’s streak alive in the 70-74 division ahead of countryman Michael Ives (Jewson/ M.I. Racing).

Ronald Riley (Bike Station – Aptos – USA) seized men’s gold medal in the 75+ division.

Superstar and cycling legend Ned Overend (Specialized – USA) dominated his race in the 55-59 division – adding another Rainbow Jersey to his storied palmares – ahead of California Giant Berry racers Norman Kreiss (USA)  and Henry Kramer (USA)  who raced to hard fought second and third places respectively knocking Planet Bike’s Bob Downs (USA) to 4th place.

The women had the marquis spot on the day’s schedule racing the final two contests of the day in perfect ‘cross conditions.   Katrina Dowidchuk (Team Tbb/Deep Blue – USA) stormed to victory ahead of Kimberly Flynn (US Stove – USA) and Margel Abel (Tough Girls Cycling – USA) in the 40-44 division.

The final race of the 2012 Masters Worlds was a battle for dominance for the 45-49 Women’s division.  Shannon Gibson (Stan’s No Tubes – USA) won ahead of Lori Cooke (Cycle Lodge – USA) and Jennifer Maxwell (Van Dessel Factory Team – USA) made up huge ground to go from 6th to claim the third step of the podium.

Complete results are available here.

The UCI Cyclocross World Championships return to Louisville, KY in 2013 when Masters racing returns January 29th- 30th and the UCI Elite Cyclocross World Championships race February 2nd and 3rd in more history making cyclocross racing.

For more information visit www.louisville2013.com