VeloCX, Rattail, 2K11, Depot

Photo: MCF.Net

MINNESOTA: Blaine - RESULTS  The 86th annual cyclocross event and roadside freak show, now in it's 5th year (that's what the flyer says!) was held this past Saturday next to the velodrome in Blaine. MCF.Net: The Men's Elite Race got off to a blistering start with Chris Fisher and Jesse Rients vying for a first lap prime. Rients took the prime, and Fisher's teammate CJ Faulkner took control of the race. Rients would spend the rest of the race chasing a dominating Faulkner, while fellow Crossniac Fisher played the perfect teammate for CJ, and sat diligently on Rients' wheel. CJ would go on to take the win, and Fisher would manage to best a tried Rients in the sprint for 2nd, giving the Crossnics another 1-2 finish.

The days main event was the Midwest Singlespeed Championship and it did not disappoint. A huge field took the line for 60 minutes on one cog, and veteran singlespeeder Jay Henderson took the hole shot and held it for the entire first lap to score a King Wine Bar prime. After that though, Andrew Pierre of Angry Catfish took over, and did not look back. Riding smooth on his signature mustache handlebars he quickly put big time into a whos-who field of MN singlespeeders. Dan Casper would mount a nearly hour long chase and had nailed Pierre back to a mere 10 seconds, but the gap would go out again and Casper would need to refocus his attention on maintaining 2nd place over a late charge from Henderson. Pierre took the win with 1:30 gap over Casper. Henderson settled for 3rd, Owen Thoele in 4th and Matt Gilhousen would ride in for 5th.

Men - Cat 1/2/3 - Elite
Place	Points	Name	City, State	Time	License		Team
1	192.23	Craig Faulkner (1 - Cat1)	Mendota Heights, MN		244650		Crossniacs
2	199.00	Chris Fisher (2 - Cat1)	Inver Grove Heights, MN		182827		Crossniacs
3	205.76	Jesse Rients (3 - Cat1)	Shakopee, MN		147524		Kuhl/Bicycle Fit Guru
4	212.52	Matthew Allen (1 - Cat2)	Minneapolis, MN		200426		Behind-Bars/LGR
5	219.28	Matthew Petersen (2 - Cat2)	Minneapolis, MN		244920		Balance Cycling/Erik's Bike Shop

MINNESOTA: Rochester - Rattail CX RESULTS The inaugural edition of the Rattail CX was a windy one on Sunday.. Crossniacs Syndicate gives us the story of the master's race: Lot’s of yellow tape blown everywhere, hard to keep track of where the course was on the first and second lap. This was the first race of the season that came down to a sprint finish, with Greg taking 1st by a wheel and me in second. Truth be told he had the race from the start but had to pit on the last lap and didn’t know I had caught up to him on the hill. As he snatched his pit bike I took the lead but with less than half a lap to go Greg powered past me and then it was neck and neck to the bitter end. Great race.

No other words on the Elite 1/2/3, but here's the results.

Men - Cat 1/2/3 - Elite
Place	Points	Name	City, State		License	Bib	Team
1	316.74	Matthew Allen (1 - Cat2)	Minneapolis, MN		200426		Behind-Bars/LGR
2	373.28	Jason Wenk (2 - Cat2)	Mankato, MN		238817
3	429.82	Tony Olson (3 - Cat2)	Kasota, MN		245537		Bianchi/Grand Performance
4	486.36	Mark Mlinar (4 - Cat2)	Hutchinson, MN		48557		Bianchi/Grand Performance

IOWA: Bettendorf/Des Moines -  RESULTS Dollar Cross was an improptu race near Des Moines and Devil's Cross 2K11 was held in Bettendorf where 89 racers showed. Wish we had some photos!: "The course is as tacky as the Dice Man's riddles. Add that to the Snake Alley steep climb, the 3 runups, the Tiger pit, Quicksand, and 50 foot rappel, and we should have a bit of fun Sunday. Don't forget about the Daylight Save a Clock thing."

INDIANA: Ft Wayne - Depot CX There was a small 'cross race scheduled for Sunday in Ft. Wayne. No news. From their web page: "Race our cyclocross course every Wednesday! Cyclocross clinic at 5:30p with race to follow. Open to the public. $5 with USCF license, $10 without. Email cara@fwoutfitters.com with questions."