Bend, Ore. – Jackie Crowell made history with her victory Friday in the Under 23 time trial at the USA Cycling Elite National Championships in Bend, Ore.

 

In winning the 21-mile (35 km) race against the clock, the 21-year-old earned Team Type 1’s first national title. Jerika Hutchinson (Team TIBCO) was second, 14 seconds behind, and Rachel Warner (Charlottesville Racing Club) was third.

 

Team Type 1’s Alison Powers earned a bronze medal in the elite women’s time trial over the same distance, finishing 23 seconds behind the winning time of Jessica Phillips (Team Lip Smackers). Evelyn Stevens (Century Road Club Association) was second, one second behind Phillips’ winning time of 50:35.

 

The Team Type 1 women’s professional squad was created this year as an extension of the already successful program of Race Across America (RAAM) and professional men’s teams founded by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge. Every team includes athletes who have Type 1 diabetes who are striving to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.

 

Team Director Jack Seehafer said the two medal-winning performances add to an already outstanding season. Team Type 1 leads the National Racing Calendar (NRC) standings, Powers is No. 1 in the individual NRC competition and she recently won the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series (WPCS).

 

“I know Alison is a little bit disappointed, but she gave it her all out there,” Seehafer said. “It’s a good motivator for the off-season for her. I think we’re really going to end the season pretty strong and go out and try and win some criteriums now.”

 

By virtue of her victory, Crowell earns the right to wear a stars-and-stripes jersey in time trials next year. Friday’s national title was her sixth after earning five as a junior (under the age of 18), including two in the time trial discipline.

 

“But this will be the one I am most proud of because it’s at the elite level,” she said.

 

Crowell said equipment and good advice helped make the difference. Her time was the 14th fastest overall on a day when temperatures in the 90s and wind made the race against the clock all the more difficult.

 

“I had our mechanic, Paul (Mazurek) put a 55 tooth chain ring on the front, which was the key to winning,” she said. “And my Orbea Ordu (bike) was awesome. I also have to thank our director, Jack, who has helped me so much in my first year as a professional. He’s been very supportive.”

Following a day off, Crowell, Morgan Patton and Samantha Schneider will look to reach the podium again for Team Type 1 in Sunday's 21-mile (35 km) Under 23 criterium. Patton is one of two riders on the women’s team who has Type 1 diabetes. 

In the elite men’s time trial, Team Type 1 Elite Team member Jeff Bannink had a problem with his saddle a third of the way into his 21-mile (35 km) time trial. The end result was a 46th place finish for the rider from Beaverton, Ore., who was one of eight members of this year’s squad that won RAAM in record time.

 

— TT1 —