Bone Ride 2010

Starting in 1987, well before an internet full of information, rumors began to be heard of a bike ride going from Milwaukee to Madison, WI and back. That's 156 miles round trip, only stopping for lunch at the Yellow Jersey bike shop, then "THE" bike racing shop in Madison. "Yeah, it's Tom Shuler and the 7-11 Pro. Team". "Okay, well that makes sense", then it would be forgotten until the next spring. "They call it the Bone Ride, whatever that means". Most racers just called it crazy. Rain or shine, no rest stops. Just one for lunch, then ride back home. Well, 23 years later, they are still doing the Bone Ride with 150 to 200 of their closest friends. Mind you, there is no entry fee, no prize money, no 'information flyer', and it's held on a Wednesday. The only directions are "Meet at Tom's house, 7:30am. We roll at 8:00am".

Peloton Star was there this morning to witness this piece of Wisconsin Cycling lore. They had perfect weather today - a warm sun and light winds. A perfect day for a  ... 156 mile bike ride!

I

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2010 Team Extreme Racing Clinic a Success!

There was perfect weather for Wisconsin Team Extreme's second annual 2-day racing clinic on 5/14 and 5/15.  Close to 40 riders from several different teams checked into camp Friday morning at the Germantown Comfort Inn and Suites and picked up their goodie bags, camp folders and t-shirts and then hit the classroom to study race strategy and technique with former Olympian, Tom Schuler and former US Postal rider, Robbie Ventura.  Later the group headed to Lannon Park to practice various bike handling and race simulation drills. 
The purpose of the clinic was to have fun, promote cycling and road racing specifically. The camp was an opportunity to meet other riders, build cohesiveness across teams and help promote safe racing in Southeastern Wisconsin through education. 

Robbie gave two inspiring classroom talks and lead the training ride Friday afternoon.  He kept the bike handling drills especially fun with some games and Vision Quest product for the winners.
For the second year, CycleOps Power was the primary sponsor of the clinic.  Alex Docter won the CycleOps Power Junior Scholarship to the clinic.  Alex lives in Grafton, WI and has been racing with IS Corp for one year.  He is currently in third place in the WCA series and is gaining strength very quickly.  Several other companies sponsored the clinic and we'd like to thank everyone that made the event a success.

 Jocelyn Vande Velde awarded Alex Docter the CycleOps Scholarship.

 Robbie leading a group back to the park.

Tom Schuler setting up bridging and attacking scenarios for riders to practice.  The day ended with a practice race and a field sprint!
Please look for this fun event in 2011 on the Wisconsin Cycling Association website.  It is a great way to meet other racers, fine-tune your skills and learn how to race and win as a team from world-class cyclists. 

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Hellbender RR Video (Split Screen!)

Split screen racing from Missouri posted to YouTube by "Superhandydave". To save your ears from the GoPro Grumble, turn down your computer volume and turn up your favorite music. Well worth the view though. Thanks Superhandydave!

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Weekend Video May 15-16

Not intending to be biased towards IL and WI but this is what Google is finding. Got a video from this week's racing in MO, IN, or OH? Send in the link!

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2010 Wheels on Willy Criterium

Day two of KAWOR (Kick Ass Weekend of Racing) Illinois had their Monsters of the Midway (MOM) on Saturday, Sunday was the 23rd annual Wheels on Willy (WOW) held on Madison, Wisconsin's Willy Street, just a stone's throw from the State Capital. Following also on the heels of Saturday's LaRue-Denzer-LaRue road race, which is gathering steam itself, this race has always had a good draw of regional riders from WI, MN, IA, and IL. It's a some what technical course with a sharp downhill that flows into a tight left turn, a long drag strip back straight, and shallow climb up to the finish line that makes for some crazy finishes. All this held in a quaint neighborhood area where the locals enjoy having the race so spectator numbers are usually fairly good.

Early morning races included the Jr 10-14 boys won by Everett Jones (Baraboo Sharks), and the Jr 15-18 boys won by Spencer Oswald (Baraboo Sharks) with a well earned solo attack. The Jr girls 15-18 and Women Cat. 4 were run concurrently and that field sprint was won by 15 year old Sarah Huang (IS Corp). It's interesting, however, that the official 'online' results have her listed as 3rd in the Jr's when the official 'posted' results had her first with only 2 riders in the Jr's field. Online results also  have Emma Schwartz at second in the Jr 15-18, but not even racing on the 'posted' results! Hmmmmmm ....

Men's Cat. 4/5: 64 starters for 5 places with several cash primes. Initially, 3 riders got away and dangled a mere 5 seconds in front of the field for a good number of laps. Once one more rider bridged up, that was the magic number for success and that group rode away from the field, gaining 25 seconds or about the length of the finish straight. Seth Iverson (Grand Performance) easily took the sprint over breakaway mates Paul Kumm (IS Corp), Travis Miller (Brazen Dropouts), and Patrick Diamond (Geargrinder). Winner of the field sprint, and taking the last paying place, was the fast Lionel Rocheleau (Geargrinder).

The Master's 4/5 race was won in a tight field sprint by unattached rider Doug Callies who stated in a post-race interview that this was his first race ever! The Master's 3/4 was won by another unattached rider - Albertus Rohling who's been no stranger to seeing the finish line first in earlier races this year. (Remember that name for later today.)

The Women's Pro 1/2/3 field was not particularly large, with 25 starters, but 8 of them rode for Team Kenda so I guess it's no surprise how this race developed. Kenda's Ashley James, obviously feeling that this could be her day, was constantly on the attack from the beginning. Several excursions by her and other riders were all brought back until teammate Kristen Wentworth made contact with James off the front, and then that was it ... they rode away from the field. Side by side they rode together across the line, Wentworth giving James the nod to finish first, pointing at her teammate that she is number one today and deserves the win. Katie Spittlehouse (IS Corp) got 3rd, Jill Kislia (Team Kenda) was 4th. It was a very impressive team performance by Team Kenda.

Then it was time for the Master's 1/2/3's to battle, 79 riders strong, and battle they did. Talent ran deep today with many teams having multiple riders working together, hoping to produce some results. The 'home team' Brazen Dropouts butted heads with Chiropractic Partners, Wheel & Sprocket, Grand Stay Hotels, Grand Performance, Brones, Fisher, and Iowa's Velosport Racing led by former Euro Pro Jeff Bradley. The major threat of the day came from Grand Stay's Ian Stanford who was off the front for good portion of the race. Initially it looked like it might be the winning move, but later you could tell that the talented field was just biding their time before they struck for home. Stanford was eventually caught finishing 34th, and down to a sprint it came, elbow to elbow right to the line. Counting backwards - fourth on the day was Jeff Bradley, who by looking at the photo seems to be thinking "Rats" (or something along those lines). Third was Mike Bueshel (Outspoken)(in Cafe Hollander kit?), seen way on the right of the photo. Second place was Chris Halverson (IS Corp) who seems to be thinking "Wha? Who's that?... where did HE come from?" And winner of the sprint, seen happily riding as the caboose of the field for most of the race, was Albertus Rohling! (unattatched). Remember him? However, he's the one yelling: "WHOOOOOO!!"

The men's Cat. 3 race, 40 riders strong, boiled down to a field sprint as well. With one lap to go, the pack charged past the ringing bell, around turn one, then down the hill towards the back straight.Unfortunately, for whoever was at the front at that point, they hesitated and the bunching up of the field allowed a number of very dangerous sprinters time to move up from the middle of the field where they were caught in traffic a half lap earlier. "Let's GO!" was the battle cry and together off they went, taking no prisoners and not looking back for any either. Chazz Martin (IS Corp) (17 years old) easily took the win over Joel Friedman (Bicycle Heaven) who applauded Martin's show of blazing speed. A nice gesture of sportsmanship to be sure, but officials had a few words with both of them for 1. taking their hands off the bars, and 2. making it impossible for the finish line camera to read the numbers. All good points indeed, but at least the results of the race were quite clear at that point and also, they weren't throwing water bottles (or something) at each other, which is often seen in the "professional" races lately. Good sportsmanship we can handle.

Now it's time for the main event! No, not the Cat. 4 race, this is Wisconsin! It's time for the Pro 1/2/3's to rumble! Rumble they did, over 103 riders strong. Grand Performance, Grand Stay, IS Corp, Brones, Dogfish, and Texas Roadhouse all putting out heavy wattage that had the field stretched in one L-O-N-G line.

A crash at the back of the field early on began the attrition of the field, and unfortunately for Cat. 3 winner, Chazz Martin, this put the damper on his second race of the day who placed an impressive 3rd in yesterday's Monster's of the Midway Pro race. Despite his taking home of probably over $100 worth of road rash repair medical supplies, this is probably not the way he would have wanted his day to end.  Meanwhile up at the front of the race, three riders managed to escape the field - Josh Gillingham (IS Corp), Nickolas Vetter (Grand Performance), and Pat Lemieux (Texa Roadhouse) gaining perhaps 20 seconds but no more. After a number of laps off the front, the trio lost some precious seconds as they rode without Gillingham who had punctured and had to grab his free lap. Once back together though, they gained that time back lost and looked pretty secure in their effort to stay away. They very well may have had it in the bag had it not been for Gillingham's second problem of the race when he crashed, by himself, going through turn one! It's unclear just what happened that made him go down, but once the break lost his contribution, that was it. They were caught, and it's was time for a field sprint showdown. Texas Roadhouse, riding in their very bold yellow kits, were a strong presence the entire race, and they pulled it together for the final, successfully getting their Colton Barrett in front for the win. Second was Alex Wiesler (IS Corp), 3rd - Dave Hackworthy (Grand Performance), 4th - Ben Damhoff (Geargrinder), 5th - Rob White (Kenda Pro).

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Monsters of the Midway (Chicago)

Today was the 11th annual Monsters of the Midway Criterium put on by the University of Chicago Velo Club and Team Tati. It is held at the beautiful campus of the University of Chicago, on a very elongated 1.1 mile rectangle blocked out of the boulevard called the "Midway Plaisance". So imagine 1 km straights with 25 meter ends, sort of like racing up and down the Champs-Elysées. 

It was a cloudy and cool day but that did not dampen the spirits of the riders. Early races included the Jr 10-14 won by Jacob Zionts (Alberto's), Jr 15-18 won by Sam Gabuzzi (Smart Cycling), Women 3/4 won by Stacy Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Noir), Masters 40+ taken by Christopher Mosora (Verizon Wireless), Masters 30+ won by Patrick Fasse (Bicycle Heaven) that had 56 starters, and 50+ taken by Andrew Kerr (Villiage Cyclesport) which had 37 starters!.

The Men's Cat 3 race began with 55 starters but not that many finished. The pace ebbed and flowed as would be expected when you race up and down a boulevard and with the ringing of the bell for the last lap, it looked like we were in for a field sprint showdown. One of the big advantages of this type of course is that you can see the field almost the whole way around, and just as the 3's had a half lap to go, there was a crash. It wasn't a huge crash, only a handful or so riders went down, but bikes and bodies were flying!

Those who made it through that carnage charged to the line, with Henry Loud (ReCycling) taking it on the line proudly over Joel Friedman (Bicycle Heaven) and 17 year old Chazz Martin (IS Corp).

Regarding that ugly looking crash, the medical personnel was there on the spot and nobody was seriously hurt.

Next up on the list was the Women's Open race with Illinois Cycling Cup series leader Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) looking like a likely favorite for this sprinter's course. However, Madison's Holly Mathews didn't think much of those odds and put the favorite behind her as Mathews took the field sprint over Meshberg and speedster Stacy Applewich (Bouledogue Tout Noir).

Then came the Pro 1/2/3 race. Normally left for the last race of the day, remember that this is bike racing Chicago Style, so the Pro's went early. The 86 man field was constantly strung into a single file as the talent pool was deep today. Verizon U25, XXX, ReCyling all had plenty of fire power so it would take a magic combination of riders to escape today. Not surprisingly, nobody did, and it came down to a blistering field sprint. Perhaps with some sort of prophecy, by wearing race number "1" Andrew Bates of Olympia Orthopaedic overcame Mike Sherer (Verizon U25), and Chazz Martin (IS Corp) for the first place prize. Fourth was Tomasz Boba (WDT - Allvoi) and fifth was Bryan McVey of ReCycling.

Okay, remember now since this is Chicago, where Cat. 4's are King, NOW came the top races of the day! Seventy two (72) riders lined up for the Cat. 4 event. Mind you that this race did not draw a lot of racers from surrounding areas, this is mostly a city event. The popularity of this sport is so tremendous in this city that they even had 71 rider Cat. 4/5 race after this, followed by a 50 rider Cat. 5 race! Anyway, this is a tough course to escape on so it was fully expected that this would come down to a field sprint, which it did. I suppose, fully expected of this category would be that they would have the biggest crash of the day which they did as well. With just two laps to go, a loud noise could be heard from the back straight as a large number of riders went down hard. It was hard to tell just how many were involved, but only half the field ultimately came around to take the bell for the final lap. Western Michigan University's Justin Lyons got the nod over a quickly advancing Ian Murray of XXX racing. Drew Kushnick (Spidermonkey) was third.

Full results for Monsters of the Midway are available as well as the Illinois Cup overall point standings ,including the Monsters of the Midway results, found here.

Of worthy note also, is that the results for the road race in Wisconsin, LaRue-Denzer-LaRue are also available tonight already. Props to the ICA and the WCA for providing speedy results for their respective races!

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Hellbender Criterium, Saturday, May 15, 2010 CANCELLED

http://stlbiking.com/forum/index.php/topic/22329-hellbender-race-cancellation/

Participants and Volunteers,

I was informed at approximately 2:15 p.m. that the Command Staff at Fort Leonard Wood had effectively cancelled the Hellbender Criterium, which was to be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The cancellation was made for weather related reasons and safety of the riders. This decision was completely out of our control. We were not even allowed a chance to plead our case for delaying the cancellation until the morning of the 15th to get a more accurate account of the weather. While the Chief Referee is generally tasked with making these sorts of calls, we also must defer to the host, which in this case is Fort Leonard Wood Army Base.

While the Criterium has been cancelled the Road Race WILL BE held on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Newburg, MO. With that being said…if there is one bit of good news in this scenario, it is this: The total prize purse of $4100.00 will now be awarded for one race, The Hellbender Road Race in Newburg, MO on Sunday.
We are currently in the process of contacting all pre registered Criterium racers to inform them of the events. We are offering two options for the pre registered Criterium racers:
1. A partial refund of the race fee (refund minus a handling fee) or

2. The Criterium race fee can be transferred to the Road Race.


A newly calculated prize purse reflecting the upgrade of $4100.00 will soon be posted to www.stlbiking.com.

Thanks for your patience. Please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.

Paul Joyner
Hellbender Race Director
joyner@fidnet.com
573-429-2272 

= = =
Here is the newly revised payout for the 2010 Hellbender Road Race. I would like to be upfront and point out a discrepancy in my last posting, I said $4,100. Well, the payout equals $4,214.93.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Thanks,
Paul Joyner

• Men 1, 2
  
  • Place 1, $360
  • Place 2, $180
  • Place 3, $120
  • Place 4, $90
  • Place 5, $72
  • Place 6, $60
  • Place 7, $51.43
  • Place 8, $45
  • Place 9, $40
  • Place 10, $36
  • Place 11, $32
  
  
• Men 3
  
  • Place 1, $230
  • Place 2, $115
  • Place 3, $76.67
  • Place 4, $57.50
  • Place 5, $46
  • Place 6, $38.33
  
  
• Men 4 & 5
  
  • Place 1, $180
  • Place 2, $90
  • Place 3, $60
  • Place 4, $45
  • Place 5, $36
  • Place 6, $30

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ToAD Six Pack of Racing Discount Ends Tomorrow May 15

Just a heads up. Save $20 on 6 races in the 2010 Tour of America's Dairyland - offer ends tomorrow, Sat. May 15.

http://www.sportsbaseonline.com/events/index.xhtml?categoryId=22557

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Kenosha Velodrome Season Opens Next Tuesday May 18!

From the Wisconsin Cycling Association: Kenosha Velodrome 2010 Season


The 83rd season of track racing at Washington Park on Kenosha, WI will begin on May 18. The nights of May 18 and 25th will be pre-season races with the entry fee of $10. The results of these races will count towards the Overall Season Points Series. The Velodrome offers race cateories for all age groups.

Racing begins at 7 PM with registration opening at 6 pm. We will race every Tuesday(weather permitting) until August 24th. Racers with a permanent number from the 2009 season can reuse thier number. The Kenosha Velodrome is permitted by the American Track Racing Association(ATRA).

A complete schedule is posted here. Please visit our website www.333m.com or contact Len Cabaltera ( lcabaltera@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information.

Video here is from the last night of racing in 2008:

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Opening Night at the Northbrook Velodrome

Last night was the opening night at the Northbrook Velodrome near Chicago. The rain had finally ended and the racing went off with out a hitch. One of the Northwestern University riders shares some of his moments: "

Tonight was opening night at the Northbrook Velodrome and reminded me that I love track cycling. The races tonight were a 10 lap scratch, Miss-n-Out, and a 10 lap points. The scratch race was effectively a super short criterium on crack. A swarming pack and flurries of attacks created a race where I was never sure if I was off the front or dragging the peloton. Eventually, the final lap saw me sprinting from a few bike lengths behind a Cat 2 flyer and not quite catching him whilst being thrown on the line up track. Getting 3rd sucks, but it seems to be a theme for me". 

Northbrook Velodrome's full calendar can be found here. A review of all the midwest velodromes was pubished here on April 20th.

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Euro Connection #8

Some of our Midwestern riders are over in Europe giving it their best, lets see how they are doing.

USA Cycling writes:
A team of six represented the USA Cycling Women's National Development at the Costa Brava time trial and road race in Spain, May 8-9. The squad was comprised of Kaitlin Antonneau (Racine, Wis./Team Kenda), Jessica Prinner, (South Elgin, Ill./ABD Cycling Team), Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12), Kendall Ryan (Ventura, Calif./VRC-NOW-MS Society), Ally Stacher (Etna, Calif./Webcor Builders), and Evelyn Stevens (New York, NY/Team Columbia-HTC)
On May 8, Evelyn Stevens won the elite women's time trial while the team's juniors Jessica Prinner, Coryn Rivera, Kendall Ryan, and Kaitie Antonneau went one, two, three, and four in the junior women's time trial.
The road race took place the following day, on May 9, with the junior and elite women racing together. After breaking away from the field together, Stevens, Rivera, and Prinner swept the top three spots. Kendall Ryan led a chase group and crossed the line after her teammates in fourth-place. Fellow U.S. National team rider Kaitie Antonneau wasn't far behind, finishing seventh with Ally Stacher in 8th.







USA Cycling also reports that Cole House (Oneida, Wis./BMC Racing Team) is part of the Espoir (U23) team competing in Luxembourg's Feche de Sud, May 12-16 where Taylor Phinney won the opening 4.2 km prologue.

In the Pro ranks, Wisconsin's Mathew Busche (Radio Shack) is recovering from some form of illness following his ride in the Tour of Romandie and Illinois' rider Christian Vande Velde crashed out of the Giro d'Italia with a broken collar bone. We wish them both the best!

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Wednesday Fixie Fix #7

It's not Wednesday? Oh ....

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Four More Added To Nature Valley Pro Ride Rosters

For Immediate Release

Four More Added To Nature Valley Pro Ride Rosters; Next Qualifier This Weekend

Minneapolis (May 12, 2010) — The rosters of the Nature Valley Pro Ride men’s and women’s teams are more than halfway filled, with another two riders to be selected this weekend.

Sunday’s Bear Mountain Spring Classic in Harriman State Park in New York will be contested on a challenging 21-mile loop that includes a climb of more than two miles, with some parts reaching a 12 percent grade. This climb is likely to be the decisive factor in the race. The Pro-I-II men race 80 miles while the women’s qualifying race is 50 miles. The event is promoted by the Century Road Club Association, one of the oldest bicycle racing clubs in the nation.

“The Bear Mountain Spring Classic is one of the most challenging one-day races in the Nature Valley Pro Ride Series,” Nature Valley Grand Prix Executive Director David LaPorte said. ”The qualifiers from this race will be well-prepared for the new Menomonie Road Race, which will put even the best climbers to the test.”

Four qualifiers from the past two Nature Valley Pro Ride events have been added to the roster of each composite team for the 2010 Nature Valley Grand Prix. The 12th annual edition of the premier stage race on the 2010 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar will be held in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, June 16-20.

Qualifying from the Barrio Logan Grand Prix/San Luis Rey Road Race omnium May 1-2 are Brandon Gritters
(Williams Cycling presented by SC VELO) of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Emily Kachorek
(Wells Fargo Racing Team) of Sacramento, Calif. Kachorek is the wife of former pro Pete Knudsen, a Minnesota native who placed third at the Stillwater Criterium in the 2003 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

Qualifying from the Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic April 23-25 in Oregon were Sue Butler (River City Bicycles) of Portland, Ore., and Gabe Varela (San Diego Bicycle Club) of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Butler has previously represented the United States at the cyclocross world championships in 2008 and 2009.

Previous women’s qualifiers for the Nature Valley Pro Ride are Kristen Meshberg of Lyons, Ill., and Monroe, Ga., resident Nancy Jones. Previous men’s qualifiers are Zach Garrett of Sumter, S.C. and Lawrence, Kan., resident Joseph Schmalz of the Mercy Cycling Team.

The final Nature Valley Pro Ride event is the Mt. Hamilton Classic Road Race/Memorial Day Criterium, May 30-31, in California.

Nature Valley Pro Riders who are invited to compete in the Nature Valley Grand Prix earn free entry to the race, generous travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite teams. They also receive pro-level recognition before, during and after the events, including pre-race call-ups and participation in promotional and media appearances.

For more information, visit www.NatureValleyProRide.com.

About the Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix, which takes place in Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, is the premier stage race on the 2010 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The 2010 race will include stops in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Menomonie, and Stillwater. The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a volunteer-run event, with all proceeds donated to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the festival’s benefiting charity. More information can be found at: www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com.

About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. For more information, visit www.NatureValley.com.

###

For More Information, Contact:

Sean Weide
Communications Specialist, Trailhead Marketing
P.O. Box 24263, Omaha, NE 68124-0263
Phone: 402.541.2594 | E-Mail: sean@trailheadmarketing.com

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Tour of Elkhart Lake (WI)

An alternative to the Quad Cities on Memorial Day Weekend, is the new Tour of Elkhart Lake! Held under ABR rules this is a new twist to the annual pilgrimage to Iowa:


CRITERIUM INFORMATION:
Saturday, May 29
The criterium is a 1/2 mile course in the heart of Elkhart Lake.  Criteriums are the most popular type of racing in the USA in which participants race continuous loops for a specified time rather than a specified distance, very spectator friendly.  This exciting event favor cyclist with good agility.  Awards will be given to top 5 in each category.  After the racing has finished there will be the famous one on one, bike vs. skate 100 Meter Dash for all to watch.  CRITERIUM COURSE MAP click here
Sports messages at the finish line provided by serenitymassageandyoga.com

ROAD RACE INFORMATION:
Sunday, May 30
The road race tours through Wisconsin’s beautiful countryside on a 6.5 Mile course.  Participants will race for a specified time or distance, whichever comes first.  Awards will be given to top 3 in each category.  ROAD COURSE AND TTT MAP click here

INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL INFORMATION:
Monday, May 31
The invidual time trial is a 40 kilometer pursuit on the same course as the road race.  Cyclist must complete the distance themselves to achieve the shortest time possible.  Cyclist will complete 4 laps on a 6.5 mile course.  This event favors individuals who can maintain a fast and steady pace throughout the distance. Times will be recorded when the second team member crosses the finish line.  Participant start order and intervals will be specified closer to the event.  Awards will be given to top 3 in each category.  ROAD COURSE AND TTT MAP click here

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Weekend Ahead - May 15 & 16th

The good people in charge of the weather are promising some sunshine for this upcoming weekend of racing. Let's hold them to it!

Minnesota     
- nothing scheduled.

Iowa 
- State Fair Criterium - Des Moines, IA Sunday May 16. Presented by All 9 Yards Cycling Team. 3/4 mile hilly crit, two short steep climbs per lap with an increased prize list!

Missouri
- RMC Hellbender Omnium - Ft Leonard Wood, MO Saturday and Sunday May 15 & 16th. Presented by the Rolla Multisport Club. Criterium - A closed course located on the Fort Leonard Wood Military Installation. Course is a 1.4 mile clockwise loop; generally flat to rolling with a few areas with slight elevation. Road Race - A 35 mile clockwise loop starting in Newburg on quiet, scenic rural roads through the Mark Twain National Forest, traversing the Big and Little Piney River watersheds. The most scenic and challenging road course in the state.

Wisconsin

  LaRue-Denzer-LaRue - Baraboo, WI Saturday May 15th Presented by Baraboo Sharks. Scenic loop on rural roads with challenging climbs (they are so modest - these are BIG hills!)

  Wheels on Willy - Madison, WI Sunday May 16 Presented by Brazen Dropouts. Back to the classic 1 km rectangular course through the historic Willy Street neighborhood. Cronometro bike shop and
lots of great restaurants and stores along the course will be open, so bring your family & friends for a day of fun.

Rib Falls TT - Athens, WI  (WISPORT) Sunday May 16 25 miles with 1500 ft of vertical climbing.

Illinois
 Monsters of the Midway - Chicago, IL Saturday May 15 Presented by the University of Chicago Velo Club. 1.1 mile loop along Hyde Park’s Midway Plaisance. Counter-clockwise, with the start/finish on the south side near Woodlawn Ave. Right on the beautiful University of Chicago campus.

Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge - Fox River Grove, IL Sunday May 16 Presented by the RDS Cycling Team. A 1.2 mile course one good size hill and a twisty back end descending down to the start finish. (right next to the uber cool Norge Ski Club ski jumping hill!)

Cham-pain County 40k TT -  Tolono, IL Sunday May 16 (ABR) presented by Wild Card Cycling. Chip timing part of the MID-AMERICA TIME TRIAL SERIES.

Indiana
Men of Steel TT Challenge - New Haven, IN Saturday May 15 Presented by Men of Steel Racing. Solo or team, Nothing Aero. Max wheel profile 30mm. Fastest pedal-er wins. Course is a flat 40K, out-and-back. 20K out-and-back for Juniors, Eddy Merckx, 60+, and others upon request. Finish easily seen 1.5 miles out. Pavement is good.

Eagle Creek Park “Contemporary” Circuit Race - Indianapolis, IN Sunday May 16 Presented by Planet Adventure. Eagle Creek Park- course is a brand new course. It is flat with many technical turns. Chip timing. Planet Adventure Cycling races are here to continue the cycling tradition in Indiana and the Midwest! Brought to you by a fellow racer that has taken what all racers like and brought it to the calendar to keep racing alive!

Michigan
No road races scheduled but there are Time Trials at the Bloomer Park Velodrome and on Sunday in Grand Rapids there is the Priority Health Women's Cycling Clinic.

Ohio

Chippewa Creek Road Race  - Brecksville, OH Sunday May 16 Presented by Chagrin River Cycling. The course is a 4 mile loop with three main sections. There is a 200 ft/1 mile climb, a rolling gradual ascent with several sweeping turns, and a one mile high speed descent.


OSRS #7 - Bond Rd. Race - Harrison, OH Sunday May 16 Presented by Big Dave Sports.This 3-corner course has something for everybody. It starts on an uphill before turning onto a slightly rolling and winding ridge top before the road falls out from under your wheels with a screaming descent into the creek valley below. You’ll spend the next 3 miles on a flat and straight valley road until you see the wall spur off to the right. After the first 200 meters, you’ll experience a wicked switchback and continue up the wall for another couple hundred meters before the road lightens up to a more tolerable grade and into the uphill “sprint” finish.

Colavita-Zipp Speed Weaponry Time Trial Series -  Versailles, OH Sunday May 16 (ABR) 20 miles THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER TIME TRIAL SERIES RETURNS, WITH ALL THE FEATURES YOU HAVE COME TO LOVE, PLUS NEW COURSES AND CASH

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Flashback Quiz - Answer!

This photo was taken during the 1969 National Track Championships in Encino, CA. The rider on the left is former Junior National Champion Gary Campbell, the rider on the right is 17 year old Jim Ochowicz, later to be on the US Olympic Team in 1972 and 1976. He was the founder of the 7-11 amateur cycling team in 1981 which was turned to a professional squad in 1985. In 1986, 7-11 was the first American team invited to participate in the Tour de France, and in 1988  Andy Hampsten won the Giro d'Italia while riding for 7-11. In the 1990's, team sponsorship was transferred over to Motorola and they were the first Pro team to use radios during races. Lance Armstrong rode for Motorola during his early years as a professional and that team morphed into the US Postal squad. Jim Ochowicz, originally from Michigan, married Olympic speed skater and cyclist Sheila Young and they moved to the Milwaukee area where the 7-11 and Motorola team headquarters were based for years. In 1997, Jim Ochowicz was inducted into the US Cycling Hall of Fame.  Jim's younger brother is Bill Ochowicz, current race promoter of the Tour of America's Dairlyland. So, while much of the cycling news you read about is focused on far reaching parts of the world, and on people you will never see in person, don't forget what impact our own people, right here in the Midwest, have the cycling world abroad.

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Weekend Review - May 8 & 9

We all know that the US Collegiate Nationals took place in and around Madison, WI this weekend and those races have been covered, but what else happened around the area? Let's take a look.

In Minnesota, where some snow did fall on Friday, the weather was .. well, tolerable on Saturday for the SIbley County Road Race. It appears that there were come close field sprints according to the results, and Brian Koeneman reports on his second ride to victory this year as well as his ingenious use of the neutral rollout to take a pre-race pee break!

Iowa City had the Black Diamond Time Trial on Sunday - no reports, no results. Did it happen? Who knows!

Elsewhere in Wisconsin, Hampshire Cycling put on the Matt Wittig Memorial Circuit Race in Muskego Park. Again, NO RESULTS, but William Pankonin (XXX) does give us his version of how the race played out during his solo breakway to victory! Well done. Also, Dan Andrews (XXX) blogs about the Muskego race, but his luck was on the opposite end of the spectrum. You an prepare for these races and feel you've got it all down, but then something out of the ordinary happens and it's: "Bollocks!" "I've just paid $27 to ride this thing  . . .  there’s no way i am quitting this darn race no matter how far back or how much this hurts. i paid for this thing...i am going to finish." It's a great read.
Isaac Holton has posted some excellent quality photos for you to look at HERE, check 'em out.

In Illinois, ABR had the Verizon Wireless Two Man TT, 40k of riding pleasure. Again, NO RESULTS, but XXX comes through again with a great read from Bill Barnes in his "First TIme in the Pain Cave". A pair of green horn Cat. 5's with no aero gear GET IT DONE for some great results. Bravo!

Over in Indiana on Saturday there was the Brookside Circuit Race and ABR had the Eagle Creek Criterium. Guess what ... NO RESULTS and NO STORIES available.

In Michigan on Saturday, they had the Tour of Kensington Valley, near Detroit and by looking at the results the Men Cat 3's had a two up breakway with a photo finish sprint with the two riders finishing only 0.2 seconds apart. While over in the Cat. 5 race, the top 5 riders were only separated by 0.3 seconds! We would love to see the photo of that finish! While I don't see that finish in particular, Erika Fulk does have some nice shots posted at her page. Scott Cantanzaro tells the story of his first Pro 1/2 race: "This past saturday was probably one of the most brutal road races (Tour of Kensington Valley)  I could have imagined in May."

In Michigan on Sunday, there was the Cone-Azalia Road Race put on by the Ann Arbor Velo Club. NO OFFICIAL RESULTS posted yet, but someone took a photo of the results and we see that Paul Martin (Panther) won the Pro 1/2. About the race, Cantanzaro writes: "Sunday I had my first experience with the anomaly that is the Cone Azalia Road Race. The race claims to be the "Paris-Roubaix" of the Midwest, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Dudes showed up with all sorts of different gear: Cross bikes with road tires, road bikes with cross tires. crappy wheels, carbon wheels, etc... Long story short, more than 30% of the race was offroad on some pretty rough gravel/dirt roads." Tim Finkelstein summarizes this day nicely in his blog: I may of been DFL but I refused to DNF." Well put.

There were no races in Ohio, so that wraps up this weekend in review report!

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Flashback Quiz!

Okay, cycling fans. Here's one that you won't find 
on the internet anywhere! Can you name the riders? 
One of them was a large part of cycling history and
lived right here in the Midwest! To place this photo
on cycling's time line, it was taken in the same year
as Woodstock. You've heard of Woodstock?
 
Answer will be given tomorrow.

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2010 US Collegiate Nationals - Video

Here's some video shot during the three day weekend:

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2010 US Collegiate Nationals - Day 3 - TTT

Day three of the 2010 US Collegiate Nationals was a 19.5 mile team time trial just outside of Waterloo, WI but first let's catch up on the rest of the action from the criterium in Madison yesterday. 

Women's Division 2 saw a three up break roll down the road from about midway. Arielle Filiberti (Dartmouth), Kendi Thomas (Whitman), and Rita Klofta (DePauw) put over a minute on the hard chasing pack with Filiberti surging ahead and taking her second win of the championships (she won the road race on Saturday). Kendi Thomas came in second besting her third in the road race, and Rita Klofta earned her place on the podium.

The Women's D1 race came down to a field sprint and I suppose everyone suspected that Carla Swart would get yet another win, but NO! Wisconsin native now going to school in Texas, Jen Purcell (Midwestern State) held off Swart from the final turn and got the win, and the championship, right on the line! Little did we know that Midwestern State would later win the D1 Mens race as well.

The Men's D2 race was a barn burner with constant attacking, quite often from Minnesota State's Pat Lemieux who took second in Saturday's road race (and has been having a good season leading up to the championships). Once again it came down to a field sprint and this time it was Richard Geng (Mesa State) beating Lemieux for the victory. 

Now it's Sunday, the sun finally came out, and it was time for the team time trial held just outside of Waterloo, WI - home of Trek's World HQ. The course was a 19.5 mile mixture of open road and twisty back farm lanes, all with rollers and twists, some of which were rather tight. Whitman College took the Women's D2 title with a time of 45:26.

Women's Division 1 was taken by Indiana's Marian College with a time of 42:25, 10 seconds faster than Lees-McRae, and 36 seconds faster than third place UC-Davis.

Men's Division 2 was won by a very tight looking Mesa State with a time of 38:15, besting Western Washington and Whitman College for their national championship. 






To learn who would be the Men's Division 1 National Champion, spectators were forced to wait until the very end of the day, biting their fingernails the whole time as each team crossed the finish line and stopped the clock. With still a number of teams out on course, Colorado finished with an impressive time of 38:11 and the crowd gave out an audible "Oooooo" as they beat Lindsey Wilson by a full 29 seconds. This was repeated again as Fort Lewis crossed with a blistering 37:32 ,  this time a full 40 seconds faster than Colorado! 

The next team to finish was Marian, and the crowd cheered for them as they streaked across the line in 36:23! Over a FULL MINUTE ahead of Fort Lewis! Now there were only two teams left on course, Lees-McRae and UC-Davis. Lees-McRae posted a 4th place 37:52 and the announcers counted down the seconds to see if UC-Davis could still win, but no - 36:58. Good for second place. Marian College wins the Men's Division 1 National Championship!


Full results including the omnium results can be found on the USA Cycling site. It was a long, hard weekend for everyone, but WOW! what fun!

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2010 US Collegiate Nationals - Day 2 - Criterium

Just a quick report on the Division 1 Championship now with a full report Sunday night including the team time trial.  

Division 1 Men: A huge field lined up on the historic Capital Square criterium course in Madison this evening. There was also a very good crowd of spectators despite cold temps in the mid 40's and a brisk wind. The exact number of starters in the D1 race is unknown at this moment, but when stretched out single file, leaders were entering turn one as the last riders were exiting turn four. 

As in all the races, there was plenty of aggression right from the gun in the hour long race but nothing really got organized to gain much of an advantage.

Nearing the end of the race, with about 7 laps remaining, two riders escaped and quickly gained 10 seconds on the field. With 3 laps to go, we were shocked to see that a single rider quickly and easily bridged the gap ... suddenly there were three, holding their advantage, and looking very dangerous. With two laps remaining ANOTHER single rider bridged up ... now there were FOUR riders away and they weren't looking back. 

As the riders came into view around the last turn to get the bell for the final lap, we were shocked again to find that just as quickly as those riders had escaped, they were caught again. So, now it's down to a one lap drag race. Who's got the legs to become champion?

Around the final turn comes the pack, all together until one single rider explodes from the front ... who is it??? Who is it???

It's JOSH CARTER from Midwestern State University!

What an emotional victory for Carter who was having a hard time holding back the tears of joy! Speaking with announcer Brad Sohner after wards, it was obvious that Carter was still choked up and this victory was especially sweet. He stated that he's raced on this course before, so he knew what he needed to do, however it was a shock coming from Texas yesterday where the temperature was 90 degrees. "Yeah, it's COLD here!"

Josh Carter (Midwestern State University), your 2010 Division One Collegiate National Champion. More reports Sunday night after the Team Time Trial in Waterloo, WI, home of the Trek world headquarters.

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2010 US Collegiate Nationals - Day 1 - Road Race

When Madison, Wisconsin was chosen for the site of the 2010 USA Collegiate National Cycling Championships, was the quality of hot tubs and laundromats part of the selection process? With the start/finish area, high up on Bluemound State Park, being shrouded in clouds the entire day, and a cold 40 degree rain soaking riders most of the day, hot tubs and laundromats were probably the talk of the peloton Friday as all the riders suffered on this brutal course in Southwest Wisconsin.

The men rode 72 miles or 5 laps of this 16 mile loop, once part of the proposed 2016 Chicago Olympic road race course that has 1,900 feet of climbing per lap. This course will eat a peloton alive on a nice sunny day, but on this day, riders were constantly succumbing to the very testing elements of late spring.

If you were fortunate enough to survive the course and the cold, wet weather, then hopefully you weren't one of the dozens of riders who got flat tires today. Many a good ride was ruined by bad fortune and there's wasn't much you could do to prevent it. 

Escaping the Division 1 field was Adam Wisseman (Colorado State) and Blake Anton (Cal Poly) who finished together almost a minute ahead of 3rd place Menso de Jong (Cal Poly). Anton, seen here trailing Wisseman, took the win by a bike length on the line (see video below).

Cory Scott (William and Mary) bested Minnesotan Pat Lemieux (Minnesota State) and Richard Geng of Colorado's Mesa State College in the Division 2 championship.

Talented Carla Swart (Lees-McRae) took her third Division 1 title today over Courtney O'Donnell (Cal State) and Sinead Miller (Marian College). Swart seen here on the far left. Division 2 was won by Arielle Filberti of Dartmouth.


Racing continues today (Saturday) on the historic Capital Square criterium course that laps around Wisconsin's state capital building. A fast, but not flat, course that can be tricky in the rain due to the off camber turns. Competition ends on Sunday with team time trials in nearby Waterloo, WI.



http://www.channel3000.com/recreation/23491780/detail.html

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Fiber One Is New Sponsor Of Nature Valley's Collegiate All-Star Team

Minneapolis (May 7, 2010) – Fiber One, a General Mills brand, is the new title sponsor of the Collegiate All-Star Team for the Nature Valley Grand Prix that is being selected at this week’s USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships.


The six collegiate racers who earn spots on the composite team will wear their school jerseys but compete as the “Fiber One Collegiate All-Stars,” wearing team shorts at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in June.


The USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships are taking place today through Sunday in Madison, Wis. Eligibility for the special squad is based on the final individual overall (omnium) standings for female riders who are not members of a team that is already registered to compete in the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Each team member receives complimentary entry into the Nature Valley Grand Prix, free host housing, a support staff comprised of a team manager, mechanic, soigneur and massage therapist, team clothing and a travel stipend.


“The Fiber One Collegiate All Stars is one of the coolest programs that we have,” Nature Valley Grand Prix Director David LaPorte said. “Collegiate cycling is growing by leaps and bounds. This is a chance to showcase that part of the sport. It also help us connect the sport with people since the program resonates with the alumni of the schools that the riders represent and even with the alumni of those schools’ arch rivals.”


“I’m really excited to have Fiber One on board as a title sponsor”, said Fiber One Collegiate All-Stars Manager John Barron. “Cycling is a lifetime sport and Fiber One’s healthy lifestyles message is an excellent fit.”


Past Fiber One Collegiate All-Stars team members are a Who’s Who of young up-and-coming talent in the professional ranks, including: Kristin McGrath (Fort Lewis College) and Sinead Miller (Marian University), now both racing for the Peanut Butter and Co – Twenty12 team, Amanda Miller (Colorado State), now competing for Team TIBCO, and Erica Allar (Penn State) and Carla Swart (Lees McRae College), both now racing for Team Vera Bradley Foundation.


The 2010 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix will be run in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin from June 16-20.


# # #

For More Information, Contact:

Sean Weide
Communications Specialist, Trailhead Marketing
P.O. Box 24263, Omaha, NE 68124-0263
Phone: 402.541.2594 | E-Mail: sean@trailheadmarketing.com

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Tour of Missouri in jeopardy

Multiple sources covering this AP news report:
From CanadianBusiness.Com


Tour of Missouri in jeopardy as state withholds $1M from cycling race
By Alan Scher Zagier
Article Tools


COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Organizers of the Tour of Missouri said Thursday the international cycling race is in deep trouble and likely won't be held in a few months because of uncertainty over state funding.
"We've said all along that without the state, it's just not realistic," said Chris Aronholt, managing partner of Medalist Sports, the Georgia company that coordinates the race.
State lawmakers awarded the 2010 race $1 million from the Division of Tourism. The three previous tours received a total of $6 million in public money.
But faced with its own budget cuts of $5 million to $7 million, the tourism division says it needs the race money for more pressing projects with greater statewide benefit. And Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who last year temporarily froze the race's $1.5 million tourism allocation before changing course, doesn't seem likely to overrule the tourism commission.
The race was started by his predecessor, Republican Matt Blunt, and later championed by Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Nixon's presumed challenger in the 2012 election.
"The state money is not going toward the race," said Tourism Commission chairwoman Marci Bennett. "I hope the race organizers can pull a rabbit out of a hat as far as corporate sponsors."
The 2010 race is scheduled to be run Aug. 31 through Sept. 6.
While the Missouri race has received some corporate support, it struggled to find a title sponsor to attach its name to the event and relieve the state of what had always been intended as a short-term financial commitment.
Similar financial woes have scuttled professional cycling races in Utah, Connecticut and Georgia in recent years, leaving the Tour of California as the country's only high-level pro event.
St. Louis bike shop owner Mike Weiss, chairman of the Tour of Missouri board, held out hope that the race can be salvaged by ramping up public pressure among supporters, including state lawmakers from both parties.
"This event was 'canceled' last summer, and there was a reversal," he said. "What we're seeing right now is a calculation. It just needs to be shown that it's a miscalculation."
Aronholt said that other states are prepared to fill the void if the Missouri race disappears
"We are in discussions with and aware of interest from other states," he said.
Race boosters had hoped to lure seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his new Radio Shack team to Missouri. Armstrong retired in 2005 but returned to racing last year.
"This is the only event after the Tour de France that could possibly have Lance Armstrong racing on home soil," Weiss said. "Why not Missouri?"
An economic analysis of the 2009 Tour of Missouri paid for by the state estimated about a half-million people watched the race and spent more than $30 million. Still, some state tourism officials have questioned the value of the race.
Weiss said the race has reduced its budget by $1 million this year and expected to collect an equivalent amount in private support.
"We have an event that is ready to launch," he said. "We have major corporations that are Missouri-based that are reluctant to commit resources because of the politics. It's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy."

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UCI 'Cross Eyed

The 2010/2011 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Calendar of UCI inscripted events has been released. The midwest certainly has it's share of UCI 'Cross races!

25-Sep USGP of Cyclocross Planet Bike Cup Sun Prairie WI  UCI1
26-Sep USGP of Cyclocross Planet Bike Cup Sun Prairie WI UCI2

9-Oct Java Johnny's - Lionhearts International Cyclocross Middletown OH UCI2
10-Oct Bio Wheels/United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park Intl Cincinnati OH UCI1

23-Oct USGP of Cyclocross Derby City Cup Louisville KY UCI1
24-Oct USGP of Cyclocross Derby City Cup Louisville KY UCI2

26-Nov Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels Iowa City IA UCI2
27-Nov Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels Iowa City IA UCI2
28-Nov Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels Iowa City IA UCI1

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