Sauk County Tower Tour Road Race

WISCONSIN: Baraboo - Sauk County Tower Tour - RESULTS PHOTOS - A "Tour" they called it, but it was more of a tour of your inner fortitude and grit as you applied yourself to the 1100 feet of climbing per 15 mile loop, in the first 90 degree day of racing this year. 4400 ft of climbing, in total, for the 60 mile Pro 1/2 race, up and over Devil's Crown, a 1500ft high knob of rock poking out of Wisconsin's glacial scenic countryside. It was another epic road race put on by the Baraboo Sharks Cycling Team. You may remember their other races they've promoted, such as La Rue - Denzer - La Rue, and Circuit de Sauk. All wicked courses in their own right, but this one topped them all.

This time, you started at the top, quickly dropping down a breath taking 500 ft descent that twisted through the trees. Turning right at the bottom, it was followed by several miles of gently rolling terrain past farm houses and barns, across the creek (now you know you're at the bottom), then UP. Up the stair stepped climb back to the finish line that's perched at the very top of the Crown. There were sore legs aplenty after this race.

The Pro 1/2 event started off as most road races do ... an easy pace and lots of chatter. A course like this lends itself to a natural selection, however, and the field was constantly being split and reformed as it rolled up and over the steep climbs. Numerous attacks were launched, but none were successful until 17 year old Jordan Cullen (Slipstream-Craddock Junior Development) of Hudson, WI got off the front with several others. Jordan himself describes his win: I counter-attacked when we caught the break and I was followed by one rider and we caught a rider that was about 15 seconds ahead of us.  The 3 of us began to work really well and quickly got a very sizeable gap.  After cresting the finish climb one of the guys in the break came apart, and drifted off the back.  I continued to work with my remaining breakaway companion for the next lap, but started to notice he was getting pretty tired.  I decided to attack with 12 miles to go and I was able to stay away until the finish with a one minute gap on a chase group of four.  I am really glad to have won my first race in Slipstream-Craddock colors and couldn't wish for a better team to ride for! 

More interesting racing occurred in the Men's 3's race. Just as the field was spotted climbing up to the line for their finish, a local farm truck crossed the line going the other way and started heading right towards them! The chief referee quickly got the driver's attention and got him to back up, but WHOA! don't block the finishing camera! Jordan Mathes (Wheel and Sprocket) crossed the line first, easily beating second and third to the top of the final climb. But WHOA! again ... protests are being fired from other riders who claimed that Mathes violated the center line rule in the final 200 meters. It was hard to see 200 meters down the hill, plus the fact everyone was distracted by the pickup truck incident, so numerous riders were interviewed including Mathes himself. Photos were looked at, and after a lengthy discussion, Mathes was relegated to 3rd. He obviously had the legs to be in contention for the win, so that seemed like a fair decision for all.

 Mathes continued to show his good form the next day in Madison, taking the 3's race at Wheels on Willy criterium which will be covered in the next article later today, along with many other races held on this very busy weekend!