After a year off due to the COVID19 pandemic, the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships returned December 7-12 2021 with the event taking place in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton Illinois. Winter temperatures early in the week delivered hard ground and fast racing but warmer weather and heavy rain Friday night turned the course at Cantigny Park into a muddy, slippery mess for the races on Saturday and Sunday. Cyclocross participants are used to dealing with their competitors and the technical challenges of the course but some were required to fight with their equipment as bikes covered in mud became difficult to operate. It was true “cyclocross conditions” and the challenges were happily accepted by all in exchange for being able to meet and compete at a national championship once again.
Sunny Gilbert, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, winning the single speed race
Grant Holicky, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 13th overall in the Master’s Men’s 45-49 race
Sunny Gilbert, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, winning the single speed race
Sophie Russenberger, Team S&M CX, 14th in the Women’s Elite race
Sophie Russenberger, Team S&M CX, 14th in the Women’s Elite race
Sunny Gilbert, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 3rd in the Women’s Elite race
Brenna Wrye-Simpson, Team S&M CX, 18th in the Women’s Elite race
Sunny Gilbert, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 3rd in the Women’s Elite race
Brenna Wrye-Simpson (left) and Sophie Russenberger, Team S&M CX, after the Women’s Elite race
Eric Brunner, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 1st in the Men’s Elite race
Eric Brunner, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 1st in the Men’s Elite race
Eric Brunner, Blue Competition Cycles p/b Build, 1st in the Men’s Elite race
Ross Ellwood, Alpha Bicycle Co-Groove Silverthorne, 13th in the Men’s Elite race
Max Judelson, Voler/Clif/HRS/Rock Lobster, 20th in the Men’s Elite race
Jack Higley, Alpha Bicycle Co-Groove Silverthorne, 8th in the Men’s Junior 13-14 race. Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Lauren Zoerner, Alpha Bicycle Co-Groove Silverthorne, 4th in the Women’s U23 race. Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Jules van Kempen, Alpha Bicycle Co-Groove Silverthorne, 5th in the Men’s U23 race. Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Photo Credit: Bill Schieken
Sunny Gilbert | 2021 Single Speed Women's National Champion
Scott Funston | Men's U23 National Champion
Eric Brunner | Men's Elite National Champion
