US Cyclocross Nationals: Vida Lopez de San Roman’s gamble to compete in elite women’s race pays off with victory

Vida Lopez de San Roman (Bear CX) rode away former two-time U23 champion Katie Clouse (Steve Tilford Foundation Racing) on the final lap and won her first elite women’s title at USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals on Saturday afternoon.

For most of the six-lap race, Clouse and Lopez de San Roman dictated the pace. Clouse, who was second in the elite race last year, suffered cramping in her hand on the last half lap. She could not match an acceleration by the 18-year-old Lopez de San Roman, who opted to jump into the elite contest rather than defend her women’s junior 17-18 national title from last year.