Midwest MTB Racing Recap - Chequamegon Preview
Would you like dessert with that sir? Ah, no thanks, I have Chequemegon coming up. So it goes, the past three weeks the Chequemegon buzz starts hitting the blog waves, message boards and coffe shop conversation in the coffe shops that are so fortunate to have enough cyclists to talk about it. Then again, its Chequemegon, where folks "race" just to ride and everyone goes away with a smile on their face, enjoying the creme brule all along. This weeks report will take a look at the favorites in the 40 but first a quick recap on last weekends WORS race in Sunburst.
Many of the favs, at least on the Wisconsin side, used the Showdown for one last race tuneup. Jesse LaLonde threw it done once again for win #6. Not without a battle though from last weekends stage race winner at Laddies Loppet, TJ Woodruff. Less than a second was all that seperated the two riders who broke free from a group of Marko LaLonde, Mike Phillips, Brian Matter and on the rebound from a mid season sick, Tristan Schouten. Jesse recaps the last lap on his blog:
"The course was to wide open to get away. It was going to come down to a strategic move which TJ demonstrated on feed row. His explosive power left me bottless, broke, and cramped. I dug deep knowing this would be my last hard effort before Chequamegon. A lapped rider forced a dismount as much as my cramped legs did which in turn forced Marko to hoof it. Twitches shot down the quad as TJ spun up ahead on the cross eyed climb. The cyclocross mount proved to be back as I mounted my steed and set out after the possessed. As TJ maximized every effort I was busy minimizing the damage left from the move. Did I mention TJ's strategic attack? It was awesome! We were racing and I was gonna let him know. As we made our way through the final stretch of single track I attacked which seemed like a good idea at the time whether my body wanted to cooperate or not it. I laid it out, sat up, went again. Damn, still there. Go, go, go. A near lapped fatality and .3 seconds separated us. Win #6!"
On the womens side, Kyia Malenkovich who recently returned from Iceland on a huge bike tour and also tying the knot along the way with Mr. Kris Anderson (Evel), took the win over Abbigail Strigel and Anne Grawbowski after un tangling a first lap . Kyia reports: "Anne and Abigail hammered, and I had to hammer back. Evel was doing an awesome job with popping up all over the race course to give me splits. 20 seconds, 40 seconds, hovered around 45 seconds for a good 1/2 loop, finally on the second lap I opened it up to 1:20, and then I only gained 30 more seconds the third lap and hammered the last lap to push the gap to 2:10. Abigail got around Anne on the 3rd lap and put in an awesome effort to hold her off."
Chequemegon 40 Preview
Men
Last years winner, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, won't be rolling to the line so the race is open.
- Doug Swanson - Doug, who flatted and battled back to take second, races to win. If he is on, he is on and will ride away if he can. His leadup to this year maybe hasn't been as solid as years past but you can never count out Doug.
- Jeff Hall - Jeff had a full plate of racing this year, hitting the World Cup schedule and the full National scene. Posting a top 10 overall finish, Jeff's form is solid as ever and will be right up there and would love to take another win has his long and storied career winds down.
- Jesse LaLonde - Had had a phenomnal year in the WORS taking six wins. All on the singlespeed 29'er. Many had their doubts but Jesse has made a serious claim to make history in the 40. With sponsor Gary Fisher scheduled to attend, would make for warm fuzzies if LaLonde took the win on his ride. And don't forget about brother Marko. He will be a factor as well.
- Michael Simonson - This years Ore to Shore winner. Simonson who hails from Michigan keeps out of the MN and WI radar racing primarily in Michigan. Had a strong Nationals in Vermont and completely crushed the field in Marquette this year. Last year had a untimely flat in the 40, preventing him from showing all his cards. Another rider that likes to ride alone and if he is on, he could ride away with it from the fire climb.
- TJ Woodruff - My favorite since he took the stage race win at Maplelag. He his having a fantastic late season go after racing the entire National series and his confidence his soaring. Knows the course like no one else, even at the young age of 24 having grown up just down the road. Won't be afraid to break away if he is feeling good, say 4-5 miles out.
- Brian Matter - Very strong in the point to point races having won the Triple Crown a few years back. Knows what it takes and will work with other riders and make a move later in the race.
- Jesrin Gaier - I have gotten to known Jesrin from racing this year and I can't say enough good things about him. Jesrin won the short and fat last year and makes the jump to the 40 this year. This won't be his first time doing a marathon type mtb event as he was 6th last year in the Ore to Shore. This year he flatted and was not happy. Took the wins in the spring Cable Off Road classic and most recently in the Seely Pre-Fat over TJ Woodruff and Jeff Hall and would be the first person to win the "Cable MTB Triple Crown", to the best of my knowledge. The first year Hall raced the 40, no one expected him to take the win but he did, will we say the same about Jesrin?
- Steve Tilford - Still hammering away at 48. An active road season as ever and still putting the screws to guys half his age. Does he have another win in the legs?
- Tristan Schouten - Was down and out for over a month but back on the mend posting some solid results . Probably is the most fresh of all but might not have the speed endurance for the full 40 miles but don't count him out.
- Sam Oftedahl - More of a "pure" mountain biker, can climb like a Spaniard but did a huge road tour in Francein July, logging tons of miles and might just be cashing in on that now combined with some intensity from nicely done finishes the past few weeks.
- Brendan Moore - Current MN State Champ. Doesn't have big goals for the event, at least publicly but when he is on, he can ride with anyone. Team mate Chris Fisher will help him out and vice versa.
- Mike Phillips - Top ten finish last year. Semi-Pro National Champ, should move up a few spots.
Wow, this makes at least a dozen. There are still a handful of guys that will be up there. Its gonna be a great race!!
Women
- Sara Kylander-Johnson - Has to be the clear favorite. Has won pretty much everything this year and by huge margins at times. Unless she has a off day or....I won't say it.... is her race to lose.
- Kyia Malenkovich - Hunger for another win. Had a nice tune up with the win at Sundown and is mentally recharged (thats what it boils down to, really in a race like this) after her trip to Iceland.
- Jenna Zander - Another solid season on the National season. Should of been racing at Worlds but missed the team. Anyways, a pure "mountain biker" . Hasn't had a breakthough race in the 40. Not a point to point type racer but clearly was impressed with her extra lap at the Loppet and have a good feeling that this might be her year.
- Catherine Wahlberg - Had had a couple of wins, will be a factor.
- Susan Haywood - Back for a go, won last time she entered. The women will have to keep her in check if she goes to the front, which is hard to tell in the mass race, as she could ride away.
- Leah Davidson - Another Trek rider. Could be there to help out teammates.
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Keep the wheels moving!!!