Team Rapha-FOCUS Claims Elite and U23 Cyclocross USA National Championships
January 08, 2012 / ehshaffer(January 8, 2012; Scotts Valley, CA) Topping off a phenomenal 2011-12 US Cyclocross season, Easton Cycling-sponsored Team Rapha-FOCUS rode to two national titles this weekend in Madison, WI. After claiming six wins including the overall title for US Gran Prix of Cylocross, Jeremy “J-Pow” Powers stood on the top step of the podium for the men’s Elite event while teammate Zach McDonald went one better than last year and did the same in the U23 race.
McDonald took his title on Saturday in a dominant manner. Using superior technical skills to negotiate off-camber turns and slick conditions, McDonald crossed the line a full two minutes ahead of the second place finisher – plenty of time to triumphantly pop his signature one-handed wheelie.
With a group of six battling it out for the stars-and-bars, the elite race on Sunday was more closely fought. Powers was joined at the front of the field by Ryan Trebon, Tim Johnson, and Jonathan Page – all former national champs –plus Rapha-FOCUS teammate Chris Jones and none other than Zach McDonald, who was back for more after his U23 event the day before. But with two laps to go, JPow put in a surge none could follow and rode clear for the win ahead of Trebon and Page, while McDonald crossed the line for a truly impressive fourth place.
Easton is proud to be the exclusive wheel, handlebar, stem and seatpost supplier for all of Team Rapha-FOCUS. For more information on the equipment Team Rapha-FOCUS chooses for cyclocross racing and training, like the EC90 SL carbon tubular and the new EA90 RT road tubeless wheelsets, visit www.eastoncycling.com.