UW Freshman Zach McDonald wins the first ever Cyclocross National title for the University of Washington. Photo by Dave McElwaine
The University of Washington Cycling Club claimed its first Collegiate National Cyclocross Championship this past weekend at the US National Cyclocross Championships. Former Junior National Champion and World Championship team member Zach McDonald won the Division I men’s individual title and led the Huskies to a fourth place overall finish in the team category. McDonald, a freshman, spent the first half of the race chasing down the lead and eventually took control with two laps remaining from Ben Sonntag (Fort Lewis College). The lead duo had a heated battle all the way to the finishing tarmac. Sonntag led out the sprint and McDonald came around in time to strike gold in Bend. It was a strong comeback after a mechanical de-railed McDonald’s under-23 chances the previous day. Marc Schwartz and Paul Young also represented the Huskies in the race. Young came in 26th place on the day and Schwartz was forced to abandon the race early due to a tire puncture. The Huskies had one rider in the Women’s field in Devon Simpson. Simpson battled with the nation’s fastest women to come out 18th on the day.
The race venue was in the historic Mill District of Bend, Oregon. The course had been hammered the previous week with snow and below freezing temperatures that continued through the weekend of races, making the course treacherous and a true test of bike handling skills.
McDonald holds his jersey. Photo by Evan Schmitt
The University of Washington Cycling Club is an NCCA (National Collegiate Cycling Association) and USAC (USA Cycling) registered club. Over the years, many riders have been launched from the program into the professional cycling ranks. Professional cyclists Morgan Schmitt and Adrian Hedgevary are both Husky alums who flew the Purple and Gold colors in their collegiate years. The club strives to provide opportunities in all cycling disciplines as well as all skill levels. The Husky Cycling Club proudly endorse our sponsors: The University of Washington, Cascade Bicycle Club, The Essential Baking Company, Hincapie Sportswear, Dunn Lumber, Nuun Hydration, Ezell’s Chicken, Corpore Sano, Cycle University, Recycled Cycles, Simbree, Odwalla and ASUW Bicycle Shop.
Cyclocross is the winter bicycle racing discipline. The races are short ranging from 30 for beginners to 60 minutes for the elite athletes. The bikes are a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike, with knobby tires and cantilever brakes to allow clearance. The courses consist of a 2-2.5 miles in length and contain various types of terrain and obstacles, some of which force the riders to dismount their bikes and run. The cyclocross season runs from September to December so the weather plays a major factor in the racing.