Gallery: Cyclocross National Championships 2019

There was plenty of mud, sweat, and beers at USA Cycling's Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Washington over the weekend. Clara Honsinger and Gage Hecht escaped with national titles in the elite women's and men's races, while Katie Compton and Stephen Hyde saw their respective winning streaks come to an end. Photographer Wil Matthews was there to capture the action.

Published
2019
The junior 17-18 race was the first of the day, starting in the early-morning fog.
2019
CXHairs Devo rider Andrew Strohmeyer won the competitive 17-18 junior men’s race. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Despite the early morning hour, there was significant support for the junior women’s races. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Eric Brunner rode away with the U23 Men’s race. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Lizzy Gunsalus leads eventual winner of the 17-18 junior women’s race Madigan Munro. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Katie Clouse delivered as widely expected and won the U23 women’s race. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The U-23 men’s field was led off the line by Alex Morton. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Becca Farainger led the elite women’s field onto the dirt. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The first lap of the elite women’s race was a familiar sight of Katie Compton distancing her rivals on the most technical sections. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Clara Honsinger on the first lap. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
On the second runup of the day, Courtenay McFadden ran past Katie Compton to take the lead, the first indication that Compton might not be invincible. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Over the distance of the second run-up of the day, Courtenay McFadden went from two bike lengths behind Katie Compton to two bike lengths ahead. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Freshly-minted CX Single Speed National Champion Sarah Sturm was midpack but getting full support from the crowds. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Katie Compton was on her own in a different way by mid-race, with first and third place nowhere in sight. Photo: Wil Matthews
By
By mid-race, Clara Honsinger was on her own in the lead. Photo: Wil Matthews
Becca
Becca Farainger chasing second place. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Courtenay McFadden was left chasing the last spot on the podium. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Clara Honsinger had an expression in the closing laps of disbelief. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
A new era begins as Clara Honsinger breaks the 15-year championship streak of Katie Compton. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The elite women’s podium of Clara Honsinger, Becca Fahringer, and Katie Compton. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Clara Honsinger rode this Kona to her win. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Oregon native Clara Honsinger enjoyed a huge amount of support from the PNW crowds all weekend. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Curtis White led the elite men’s field off the start. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Logan Owen chased Tobin Ortenblad on the first lap. Owen was the last elite winner of a major race on the Steilacoom course more than ten years ago. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht rode flawlessly through the most technical sections of the Steilacoom course. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Kerry Werner was left chasing another Donnelly Aevolo rider, but it was Lance Haidet instead of Gage Hecht. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht had a lead of several bike lengths before the first lap was even half complete. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
On the second lap, Gage Hecht had Kerry Werner in hot pursuit. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Curtis White didn’t ease up even without having the leader in sight. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht was on his own from mid-race on. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht won the elite men’s cyclocross national championship at 21. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht makes his way to post-race interviews as Stephen Hyde gets congratulated. Photo: Wil Matthews
Stephen
Stephen Hyde, shown here in 2019, was named as national CX coach by USA Cycling.
2019
Stephen Hyde hands off the Stars and Stripes jersey to Gage Hecht. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The elite men’s podium of Gage Hecht, Curtis White, and Stephen Hyde. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The race-winning Donnelly C//C of Gage Hecht. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
Gage Hecht zipped up his new jersey backstage. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
A rare winter sunset in the PNW as crowds and a lone World Tour rider mingle after a ‘cross race. Photo: Wil Matthews
2019
The new champions celebrated together after a long weekend of racing. Photo: Wil Matthews

Popular on Velo