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Powers in the money shot at USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships

Posted by Tom Held on Jan. 9, 2012

Cyclo-cross, USA Cycling

It would have taken more than a measly dollar to slow this trio fighting for the elite men's title in the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships.

From left to right, that's Jeremy Powers, Jonathan Page and Timothy Johnson. Powers went on to win his first stars and stripes jersey in cyclo-cross. You can see his emotional post-race interview here.

The lay-out in Badger Prairie Park in Verona created a beautiful spectacle, even without snow. The unseasonably warm temperatures made the day a picnic, for the spectators.

It was no picnic in the pits, however. As the day warmed, the mud grew thicker, and so did the workload for the mechanics and the power washers.

Spectators packed the start-finish (beer vendor) area, but parts of the course made for a lonely ride. Ben Senkerik, from Ripon College, makes this climb with only his determination for support.

This is a rare shot of Katie Compton (bib one) behind another rider. Compton, from Colorado Springs, Colo., passed Meredith Miller shortly after the start and won her eighth consecutive USA Cyclo-cross championship by two minutes, over Racine native Kaitlin Antonneau.

All photos by Tom Held

For more scenes from five days of cyclo-cross championship racing, click here.