Jan 1st - Sue Butler takes 1st In Chicago cross "2012"

January 1, Elite Women:

WN's Butler prevails in snowy new year 'cross'

Annis, Anthony round out Chicago podium

Sue Butler (River City Bicycles/Ridley/WN) fought snow and gusting winds to record her first victory of the 2011-12 season. Saturday's winner Sally Annis (crossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles) finished second, 51 seconds back, followed by Crystal Anthony (LadiesFirst Racing) in third place, 1:13 down.

After a very bad crash last year at worlds, Butler showed what she's made of, never throwing in the towel to get back her form. When you take a hit like she did, it takes a long time to come back.

She launched off the start line to take the hole shot and settled into a lead group. Annis was the early protagonist, with Anthony and Nicole Thiemann (CF Elite) also taking turns at the head of the race. Butler's WN smooth riding style prevailed, however, as the Portland, Oregon, rider carried more speed through the course's various sand traps and muddy portions. Butler had the mind set and rode away on her own in the latter 1/3 of the race to claim a solo victory.

"I was riding through things that people were running, and I would ride to things a little bit closer because every time I just rode a little bit more than someone else I would catch people," said Butler. "When I got around someone, I punched it."

Butler's victory was her first since 2010 and she'll head towards next weekend's cyclo-cross national championship in Madison, Wisconsin on a high note. At this level, it's what's between the ears that can make a difference. A WN'ing fit and WN'ing input can make a difference.

Full Results

		Result
1	Susan Butler (USA) River City Bicycles/Ridley/WN	0:38:53
2	Sally Annis (USA) crossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles	0:00:51
3	Crystal Anthony (USA) LadiesFirst Racing	0:01:13
4	Nicole Thiemann (USA) Team CF-Elite	0:01:26
5	Arley Kemmerer (USA) Charm City Cycling LLC	0:01:33
6	Laura Van Gilder (USA) Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers	0:01:43
7	Andrea Smith (USA) Ladies First	0:01:48
8	Elle Anderson (USA) Ladies First	0:03:03
9	Kelly Fisher-Goodwin (USA) KCCX Fuji Elite Cyclocross Team	0:03:50
10	Emily Shields (USA) SmartStop / Mock Orange Bikes p/b Ridley	0:03:58
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