Recap - Saturday May 29

Man, there's a lot going on today, but very little info available.

Michigan

Tour de Frankenmuth -  Big turnout at the Bavarian beer garden today according to this Michigan blogger. Oh, I guess there was a good turnout at the road race too. Check out Nate Benke's racing photos.

Iowa
Snake Alley - Okay, as of this moment there are NO REPORTS from Snake Alley? The big one, the grand daddy of them all, and no one is reporting who won?
What's up with that???

Illinois
Masters Weekend Day 1 - Ummm, yup. It happened. I guess. Same goes for Minnesota's Memorial Classic.



Wisconsin

Tour of Elkhart Lake - Criterium - With stiff competition from Iowa in it's 42nd year, and Chicago's Master's Weekend, you've got your work cut out for you to start a new series elsewhere. Organizers did a great job in finding an awesome criterium course right in the touristy section of Elkhart Lake, among tons of shops, restaurants, hotels, and upscale condominiums. The course is actually part of a car racing circuit used in the 1950's and the racers really liked it.  There were plenty of spectators in the form of vacationing couples and families that enjoyed the show as they walked from their hotel to the beach and back. Racer turnout, however, was - disappointing. Small fields plagued the day. Perhaps a larger payout to winners will be called for if this race is to survive against the competition. The Women's champion today was Gear Grinder's Kimberly White, and the Pro 1/2 victor was local Josh Nagode (Gear Grinder) who just finished a successful collegiate season at Lindsey Wilson College.

One of the interesting events on this day was an inline skate criterium, won by Bont's Norm Kirby. Following that, a 75 meter skater vs cyclist sprint, for both men and women, was run. Kim White (cyclist) beat her skating opponent by several lengths, but it was a very close race for the men. The skater (names unknown), got a good jump on the cyclist, but he did a great job in closing the gap. A throw at the line gave the narrow victory to the skater. 

Cycling turnout is again expected to be low for tomorrows road race. However, the inline crowd is expecting their event to be a barn burner. According to Inline Planet:

Among the top men are Powerslide's Jorge Botero, last year's NROC men's champion, and Tony Muse, an 18-time world champion.

Among the top women are Bont's Debbie Rice, the 2008 NROC women's champ, and Luigino's Peggy Girgenti.

Other notable skaters include:

* Bont's Norm Kirby
* Simmons' Alex Fedak
* Il Peloton's Morgan Williams
* Team Hoigaard's Herb Gayle
* Team Rainbo's Cale and Margo Carvell
* Midwest Skate Club's Danny Fredrick, Eric Plath and Eric Krueger
* Asphalt Beach's Steve Larios

Also in the mix will be free agent Ty Fidler of St. Louis, who is coming off two marathon wins in Indianapolis.

And then there's the young star, Zach Stoppelmoor, an 11-year-old Cado Motus skater who won his division this spring in the highly competitive Trophée des 3 Pistes in Europe.

So, if rider turnout is again poor, we will have plenty of world class inline racing to watch!