Speed and Powers

For many, Alison Powers (Colavita – Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) was a surprise winner of Wednesday's Individual Time Trial at the US Elite National Championships. Mara Abbott (Team Columbia), who is a more accomplished time trialist and the defending US National Road Champion, was perhaps better suited to take the victory on the undulating Southern California course. But for those who have followed Alison's results this year, the win was more an affirmation rather than a revelation.

Earlier at this year's Tour de L'Aude, arguably the toughest race on the women's professional circuit, Powers finished 2 seconds shy of claiming the 3.9km Prologue from a world class field. Alison would again display her time trialing skills during the 27km TTT a few days later, where she and US National teammate Amber Rais helped team leader, Amber Neben, stay within shouting distance of the General Classification lead.

Make no mistake about it, even though Kristin Armstrong, Christine Thorburn, and Amber Neben are off competing in the Olympics, Alison Powers is rightly deserving of wearing the Stars & Stripes.

Other US National Champions (Time Trial)
Men's - Jonathan Chodroff (CRCA / Empire Cycling Team)
U23 Men's - Peter Stetina (Garmin/Chipotle)
U23 Women's - Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders)

Junior 17 - 18
Men - Adam Leibovitz (Mesa Cycles Racing Team)
Women - Jerika Hutchinson (Team TIBCO)

Junior 15 - 16
Men - Lawson Craddock (Northwest Cycling Club)
Women - Coryn Rivera (Kahala LaGrange)

Junior 13 - 14
Men - John Funk (GP Velotek)
Women - Zoe Frazier (Frazier Cycling)

Junior 10 - 12
Men - Philip O'Donnell (Frazier Cycling)
Women - Laurel Rathbun (Team 5280 Magazine)

Photo: © Leonard Basobas