Bruno-Roy stripped of ‘cross crown over eligibility issue

Bruno-Roy has been stripped of her stars-and-stripes jersey after learning she wasn’t eligible to race masters at ‘cross nats

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Maureen Bruno-Roy, winner of the masters women’s 30-34 race at December’s USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships, has been stripped of her title because she was ineligible to compete in that category.

Runner-up Josie Jacques-Maynes has been declared the winner, with Sally Annis second and Kristi Berg third.

The problem stems from a violation of rules 1H4 and 1A29 of the 2007 USA Cycling Rulebook, the national governing body noted in a press release.

Bruno-Roy was deemed ineligible after it was determined she violated Rule 1H4, which states, “Riders classified as elite under rule 1A29 may not enter master’s races in a discipline for which they have Elite status.” Rule 1A29 defines an elite rider as one who “has a racing age of 30 years or older and has competed in any elite UCI World Cups, World Championships, Pan American Games, Pan American Championships or Olympic Games within the current calendar year.”

Roy placed 26th in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup November 24 in Koksijde, Belgium. Racing that event made her ineligible to compete in the masters category at nationals.

“It is unfortunate that Ms. Roy’s ineligibility was not brought to our attention until after the event,” said Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling. “This situation highlights the importance of every athlete being aware of the published rules and regulations that dictate a fair racing environment for all of our members.”

Roy, meanwhile, issued an apology to her sponsors and fellow racers, noting that neither she nor the race officials were aware of her ineligibility.