2010 No Good Double Cross

The 2010 cyclocross season is underway! Wisconsin's first race the, "No Good Double Cross" was put on in grand fashion at the Kettle Moraine Ranch which is a western style dude ranch / horseback riding / hayride resort. It was quite a change from the traditional start of the 'cross season the past 13 years which was at Lapham Peak State Park. While that's a great venue, this new venue at KMR is less MTB and more 'Cross and I think it's safe to say that everybody enjoyed the site.

It seems that Mother Nature wanted to do her part in kicking off the 'cross season right, so just as the first race lined up for their instructions, a small thunderstorm rolled in complete with thunder, lightning, and pouring rain - completely soaking every one to the bone for 10 minutes and ensuring that the course was extra sloppy!

The course at KMR has plenty of variety. With a wide, gravel road start area, riders are sent up and down a grassy knoll, down around the barn, through the western town, and then off to church up a nasty stairstepped climb that had riders wondering "can I ride this?" but running was the safe choice. Up the stairs, around the church, then back down to town where riders were greeted by a tight turn at the bottom of the downhill (don't hit the wall!), around a barrel and then over the first barrier, which was conveniently placed next to some stairs that you 'traversed'. It was quite dastardly.

Winding back through the western town, you were then sent out to do some spirals back by the horses before racing out into the woods on a horse trail which gave you a great view of some trees downed by the Eagle tornado June 22nd. Then it was a sprint back to town, past the pit area, and across the line to start your next lap.

Most of the official results are not yet in, but just to highlight a few performances, we give props to 15 year old Lionel Rocheleau who won the 15-18 year old Jr race, and then placed second in the Sr Men Cat. 3's. Well done! Sarah Huang (IS Corp) took the Jr Girls 15-18, Scott Vogelmann (Unattached) won the Sr Men 4's, and Brandon Leach (Unattatched) of Chicago took the Sr Men 3's. Pro Women results I do not have.

In the Pro Men's race, it was all Jordan Roessingh (IS Corp) who got the hole shot and never gave up the lead. Pony Shop's Brain Conant gave chase, but slowly faded back to the rest of the chasers which was initially a group of 4, but thinned down to 3 at the end. Final results will be posted when available (I was back by the horses when the race ended).

So, the 2010 cyclocross season started off with a bang. Illinois' season begins tomorrow at Jackson Park followed next week by the UCI santioned USGP Planet Bike Cup September 25th and 26th. Be there!