A New Season Begins

Photo: John Wilke

It used to be that racing typically began in April, when it really did feel like spring, perhaps at the UW-Parkside races, and was pretty much done by September when many riders headed back to school. The 2011 cycling season, however, was one of the longest seasons in recent memory with the first road races held back in March and the last cyclocross events not wrapping up until December 31st, or even later depending on what level you raced at.

Top news at the end of the 2011 season was Alyssa Severn's (CyclocrossRacing.Com) second place in the 30 - 34 age group at the Master's World Championships in Louisville (RESULTS) and of course Kaitlin Antonneau's (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) 26th place in the Elite World Championships held in Belgium on January 29th. (RESULTS) With that result, Antonneau finished up the season with a ranking of  17th with a total of 587 UCI points. (RESULTS)

But that was then, and now is now, and for a few Midwestern riders the 2012 road season has already begun! There certainly aren't many local races but if you are really itching to toe the line you could do so at the Frosty Toes Road Race in Ohio on Februrary 25th, the Iowa Spring Classic in Iowa City on March 10th, the Gaper's Block Criteriums in Chicago on March 26th - 29th, or the Great Dane Spring Criterium #1 on April 15th in Madison, WI.

Photo: Kenda Pro Cycling

If you're out to make a living at this game, however, you've got to follow the sun, and that's where we find Chad Hartley and Cole House, stealing the top podium spots in Arizona's McD
owell Mtn. Circuit Race this past Saturday.














On the ladies side, Samantha Schneider is finding the ultimate sun racing for Team USA in the Ladies Tour of Qatar, placing 48th overall and was the second best American finisher!

Photo: Joe Roop