A relatively new course at Stony Creek couldn't derail the Wolverine dominance that has taken a hold of the Tailwind Cyclocross series this year. And with 2 races left in the season Kelly Paterson is now leading the charge in the Elite Womens series. In the other categories, the last 2 races of the season are going to tell the tale to see who will take that finale step atop the podium for series supremacy.
In the Elite mens race Jeff Weinert & Jay Moncel finished 3rd and 5th. At one point in the race Jeff and Jay were working together to close in on third place rider Cory Stange until Jay crashed in corner losing contact with Jeff. Jeff eventually decided not to wait up & passed Cory for 3rd while Jay fought off the crash and finished 5th.
The Elite Womens race was a showdown between
Kelly and Marne Smiley. Kelly said, "I got a great start (in front of most of the men) and held first position for a little over one lap. I dug way deep into the red zone trying to stay out front, but the power course doesn’t suit me so much and I got caught on the second lap. It was a really hard course for me since I went into the red so early and never really recovered. With the mud in my brakes and the wind, I never really felt like I was in a groove but is was good enough for second place."
The Cat 2/3/4 race was maybe one of the best all day. Danny Gerow gave it all he had but a bobble on the next to last lap cost him. " I had a quick start and Clint and I were together the whole race until the last lap. I had a small bobble coming into the last set of barriers and dropped my chain ", said Danny.
the next to last race of the day were the Masters 35+ riders. 3rd place rider Patric Russell said, " I accomplished my goal of being in the top two going onto the grass at the start. When Rich Stark attacked I was ready but didn't have legs to follow." Pat would try to shake Flying Rhino Pete Thompson but to no avail. Meanwhile behind Scott Fabijanski finished on the podium in 5th. Matt Baroli said he was unhappy with his 11th place finish but warns the season is not over yet, "I'm still working hard in hopes that a strong finish is coming soon."
Last but not least is Eric K
oehler 1st place single speed. Eric continues to impress me each week with strong finish after strong finish. If we put some gears on his bike he just may surprise some of the Elites as his lap times were faster then most riders on the day.
We'll it was another great weekend for the team. We put 7 of 8 riders on the podium and we'd be a runaway so far this season if they had a team competition. Maybe next season we can work on that. Come on out next weekend and help support the team at Bloomer park in Rochester...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Wolverines once again put their two wheel attack in different places at the same time. The group of Jay Moncel, Matt Baroli, Jeff Weinert & Kelly Paterson took their game on the road in front of raging crowds at the USGP in Louisville, KY. The other half of the attack, Patrick Russell, Simon Baily & Tony Wyczorek took on the local race scene held at Maybury state park.
Kelly Paterson and Jeff Weinert had dominating weekends standing on the podium both days. Kelly took team honors riding with supremacy to convincing wins both days in the masters women (1,2,3) race. Jeff would also ride incredible both days showing both mental and physical strength to hold off a charging Elite Masters 35+ field finishing rest of the best in 3rd place, on both occasions. Jay Moncel, 20th on day 1 & 15th on day 2 improved like the weather which was dark with cool temps on Saturday. Sunday was much better with sunny skies and a warm breeze. The sun may have shone it face but the course was tough each day littered with mud holes and soft sticky ground that felt like pay-doh.
Matt Baroli raced the Masters 45+ group and had consistent finishes both days in 21st & 20th places.
So, while Louisville was being taken over by Michiganders Maybury park was hosting it's first lung buster cyclocross event ever. The duo of Patrick Russell & Simon Baily didn't seen to mind the muddy conditions. Patrick took another solid win this season in the Masters 40+. Simon Baily found a little mid season form hanging on for 2nd in the Elite mens race. And Junior standout Tony Wyczorek took top honers wining the "B" race.
With the season continuing to roll right along the next stop for the team will be at the hallow grounds of Veterans park in Ann Arbor on Halloween.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The sights and sounds of autumn were all around Lower Huron Metro Park as riders pushed through the dewy grass and up the steep hill. The trees were ablaze with color and riders stood bright in the orange October sun, with crows cawing noisily. Ahhh, the season is in full swing...and Lower Huron is always a test of sorts. This year the course was shortened as riders blazed sub 6 minute laps & were treated to long straightaway sections that required power instead of tight corners like years past. Riders formed packs like geese flying south in great V-formation overhead. I don't think I had a racer not report what a beautiful day it was, but how would the riders fair.
On to the first race of the day, "B" men. Danny Gerow was 13th and is still learning a lot about the 'cross thing. Danny had this to say, " I had a good race. It definitely is a race to build upon and get faster from."
The next group were the Elite men and only 9 men could muster the courage to line it up along the banks of the great Huron river. And with some of the nations best in attendance it was going to be a fast day. Jeff Weinert had 3 teammates in the fields for once, but in the end it was up to him to fight alone. Jeff ended up missing the sprint for second by a wheel and came in 3rd. Jay Moncel rode a incredible race charging through riders all day. Jay was catching rider after rider until time ran out, and there there were no victims left - finishing 4th. Tony Wieczorek had a strong start but faded as the race wore on for 8th. Last but definitely not least was Simon Baily who took his first Elite start of the year, moving up from the Masters 35+. Simon placed 10th, "Wow. That was fast! After riding the master 35+ for the last 3 years, I decided to get a full hour of racing in with the elite class and had an absolute blast. I need more speed." observed Simon.
The last group of the day contained some of strongest competitors of the season. Kelly Paterson continues her tear of the Elite Womens field, being best of the rest and finishing 2nd to Ann Swartz. Kelly is just bidding her time until Ann makes a mistake and she comes in for the kill.
Patrick Russell 2nd, Scott Fabijanski 9th and Matt Baroli 10th made up the Masters 35+ crew. Patrick won out of a large group that was racing for 2nd after 1st place had gotten away early in the race.
"I decided to be patient and wait for other opportunities. I kept moving up in the large group positioning myself for an attack. I moved to the front of the group through the sand and put in a little dig. I didn't open a gap so I rode a pace hard enough to limit attacks and stayed patient. I ran the steep run-up and punched it. A gap appeared and I went as hard as I could to the finish," said Patrick.
The last group out on course with the Masters were the Single speeds. New Wolverine Sports club member Eric Koehler continues to spin his dominance with his 2nd win in a row after Munson park 2 weeks earlier. Eric appears to have this single gear thing down to a science and is giving team Specialized rider Wayne cook, who dominated last season no mercy.
So that's a wrap on another crisp cyclocross weekend. Overall, the team put rider after rider on every podium in every race they entered. That's 4 for 4 on the weekend and we're only at the halfway point in the season. Next weekend some will take a much need rest before Ann Arbor while a select few will travel south to the USGP in Louisville, KY.
