Henry Coote (Trinity Racing) dominated the U23 men’s race to claim back-to-back titles at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships presented by The Meteor in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Coote accelerated from the 63-rider field as a cold front hit, dropping the temperatures to close to freezing point in Centennial Park.
Jack Spranger (Colorado Mesa University), who finished third last year, crossed the line 22 seconds later to earn the silver medal. Ryan Drummond (Competitive Edge Racing) was another 33 seconds back to complete the podium with bronze.
“I really was happy with the way I was racing today. Kept it really smooth where I wanted it to be. And I think on the last lap, I just had a little slip in the concentration and let the emotions get to me, and I dropped my chain, but I needed to keep it nice and smooth,” Coote told FloBikes announcers Brad Sohner and Ellen Noble after his win.
“It feels really good [to win]. Honestly, I put a lot of pressure on myself coming back from a big injury this summer. It took me off the bike for the whole summer, and just being able to know that my hard work is paying off. Is really happy and makes me really satisfied with my hard work.”
“I was in the hospital bed for three weeks,” he said, “and then I was in a brace for about 10 weeks, and was off the bike for quite a bit of time. I’ve been going through PT consistently throughout the whole fall and slowly coming back.”
Though the defending champion made it look easy, Coote did have a few mistakes, including losing his pedal at the start, a crash and a dropped chain but he did not let that deter him. And just like the U23 women’s winner, Makena Kellerman, Coote also raced the Collegiate race on Friday, and used it to his advantage.
The final race of the day saw the biggest field at 63 riders tackle the fast 2.1-mile course with its off-camber sections, 38-step asphalted stairway, and an uphill barrier section roughly 200 metres before the final paved straightaway….
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