Boulder Cup: Mani & Brunner Win Elite Titles

Caroline Mani Wins Penultimate Race of Her Career at Boulder Cup

French cyclocross star Caroline⁤ Mani ⁤(Velomafia p/b Bikeflights) secured a solo victory in the first ⁢of two C1 races at the Boulder Cup in Colorado on Saturday, marking a poignant moment in the final races of her career. The 38-year-old was ⁢given a touching tribute by fellow racers who‍ raised their ​bike wheels in her honor before the start.

Mani finished 13 seconds ahead of⁤ her closest competitor,achieving the 40th UCI victory of ⁣her career. Makena Kellerman and Cassidy Hickey, both from Colorado Mesa ​University, finished second and third ⁣respectively.

“There‌ are not enough ‍words to describe how ⁢special today was,” Mani shared on Instagram, expressing gratitude ⁢to the organizers, announcer,⁢ fellow racers, friends, and family. “I will never, ever forget today.” She also noted this was ​her 40th UCI win and anticipates one final ​race⁣ tomorrow.

In⁤ the elite men’s race, Eric⁣ Brunner (Competitive Edge Racing) also won solo, finishing 1:19 ahead of Ivan Sippy (Colorado Mesa university) and 17 seconds ahead of Jack Spranger (Colorado Mesa University).

The Boulder Cup returned to the UCI calendar after a five-year absence, ⁤last being held in 2019 as the US⁣ Open of Cyclocross, where Mani finished 3rd and 4th over the weekend. The Valmont Park course is the same one used for the 2014 USA Cycling⁣ Cyclocross National​ Championship.