Cyclocross Race #6, 2003 -- The Womens Battle Heat Up!!

by Faye Hartmann

It turned out to be a nice day for racing. I was way overdressed and had to quick duck into the bushes and peel layers off before the start.

There were 5 women at the start for the A/B race. I had a good start and felt good for 1 lap. I think Rebecca from Americas Dairyland hit the logs on the first lab and dropped out. The second time up the hill I was passed by the other Rebecca (young woman from Illinois) who was on her new cross bike. She opened a nice gap and it was a 1st place for her and 2nd for me.

I have liked the way the races were grouped this year [with the women starting just a couple minutes behind the 30+ men]. It is the first time ever racing (cross or road) that I have had a group of teammates to warm up with before a race.  Also there have been no altercations with the 30+ men unlike when we had to race with the B men. [...]