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Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championships
Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, WI
Sunday, November 16, 2003
A New Kind of Racing Overtakes Angell Park Speedway
Racers were greeted at Angell Park Speedway by a
course of transitions - from grass, to asphalt, to gravel, to around rusted out
buses. This course had everything a cyclocross racer could hope for
including a trip around the speedway on every lap and a hill run-up with two
barriers at the bottom. Although some racers were hoping for snow, the day
was nice and foggy with a bit of moisture in the morning to make the dirt race
track sticky. In other words, it was just right to set the tone for a day
of furious racing and hotly contested state championships.
C Men's Race
In the C Men's Race there were a number of possible contenders all with past
wins and dreams of championship jerseys. However, it came down to a battle
between Madison residents Jerry Long and Andrew Angeli (UW-Madison).
However, although Jerry worked to stay with Andrew as long as possible today was
Andrew's day and he chalked up the win. Bill Night (Team Pedal Moraine)
came in third to round out the podium. C
Women's Race
In the C Women's Race it was a three-way duel from the beginning. Brittany
Nigh (Team Pedal Moraine) went hard from the start and took the early lead.
Renee Callaway (Mad FORCs) worked to limit the damage while Kari Myli never let
off the pressure. By the end of lap one Brittany had a slight advantage
over the chasers and the gap continued to grow until she had about 15 seconds on
Renee. However, slowly Renee started to chase Brittany down and with two
and a half laps to go Renee surged on the hill run-up and passed Brittany at the
top. Then Renee dug deep and gave it everything she had as she headed back
into the speedway for what she thought would be one lap to go. However, it
was actually two laps to go. Renee put her head down and put all the power
into the pedals that she had left. Slowly she opened up a bigger gap as
Brittany and Kari eyed each other dueled for second and third. Brittany
used her experience through the barriers to stay in front of Kari but Kari
surged forward on the open sections. At the finish Renee crossed the line
with a margin of 35 seconds. Kari tried to surge around Brittany for
second place but in a show of strength Brittany held on to take second.
Junior Race
A bigger than normal field was on hand to contest the Junior Race. Marci
Weiss (Team Mack) handily won the Junior Girl's State Championship and it was
well deserved as her skills have been honed through a season of determined
effort. On the Boy's side, Alan Factory Team racer, Bjorn Selander, took a
commanding lead with his teammate Derek Laab with Bjorn taking the win and
title. Scott Hempel (CZ Velo) finished off a strong season in third place
and took the silver medal in the state championship. Jordan Myers took the
fourth place spot with a strong effort especially considering his height in
relationship to the barriers. B Men's
Race
Megan Monroe (Lemond), the Under 23 Women's National Champion, showed up to
race as hard as possible and she choose the B Race to do it. Megan went
out hard with the lead pack and proceeded to make them nervous as she matched
their every move. Many of us were hoping she would win the race and become
the B Men's State Champ. She didn't do that but she did finish in a strong
sixth place. Alan Factory Team rider Bjorn Selander did take the win and
the state championship in a tightly contested race. Derek Laab (Alan
Factory Team) and Jeff Melcher (Team Pedal Moraine) rounded out second and
third. A little bit farther back, Stephen Balsey (Brazen Dropouts), Andrew
Gardner (Brazen Dropouts) and Dave Bell (Chainsmokers) battled it out.
Dave took the early lead in that group but Stephen eventually worked his way
passed. On the final lap Dave dug deep to try and keep Andrew at bay.
However, Andrew picked up the pace on the speedway and snuck by Dave before the
finish. 40+ Men's Race
The 40+ and 50+ titles were also on the line as well and those guys sure are
fast no matter what category they are racing. Charles Townsend (Bianchi)
took the win but he is from Minnesota so the 40+ state title went to Dag
Selander (Alan Factory Team). (That last name is starting to sound
familiar). The 50+ title went to Bob Hayssen but Tom Palmer was
breathing down his neck and ensured that it was not an easy victory.
30+ Men's Race
Travis Brown (Trek) decided to use this race as his warm-up and hung with
the lead group of four for most of the race before surged ahead to take the
race. However, the real race was taking place between the top four racers
of the season, Gene Tolli (CZ Velo), Steve Gayner (Team Wisconsin), Brian Conant
(North Branch) and Marty Netzel (Gear'n Up). The whole race saw those four
ride as a pack. Into the speedway, Gene Tolli made a move off the front
and took the sprint by a half bike length and retained his state championship
for another year. Scott Topel (Brazen Dropouts) was working hard in a
group that included Mike Beatty (Chainsmokers) and some Alan Factory Riders.
Scott was able to ride hard and get seventh place. While Mike surged a few
laps into the race but was only able to maintain ninth place in the end.
John Ericsson (Brazen Dropouts) had a strong start but an early race flat kept
him out of the top positions. He was a crowd favorite, however, with his
Elvis glasses and sideburns firmly in place throughout the race. Sneaking
in right in front of John in eleventh place was "the other Travis", Travis
Goodland (Stoton Cycles). Women's A/B
Race
Faye Hartmann (Brazen Dropout) took off fast with Rebecca Much (XXX-Athletico)
and they pulled away from the other women. However, Faye skidded out when
making one of the hairpin turn. By the time she remounted, Rebecca had taken off
and was not to be seen for the rest of the race. Ali Dwyer, Patti Kaufmann
(Hampshire) and Julie Fiocca (Higher Gear) caught Faye just as she got going
again. However, Faye took off again from the group to try and make up the ground
she lost to Rebecca. Ali, Patti, and Julie rode together with each taking
turns at the front and the three lining the trail on the run-up. However,
eventually Ali put in a big effort and dropped the other women.
Unfortunately, it didn't last and Julie and Ali came into the speedway locked
together with Patti not far behind. Julie took the sprint for third place.
Rebecca took her second win of the season but Faye was the Wisconsin Champion
and Patti the Women's 35+ Champion. A
Race
Once again Travis Brown (Trek) took off with the lead group of Earendel
Fingerson, Tristan Schouten (PCW), Brian Matter (Hayes) and Andrew Hargarten
(Hampshire). The pack stayed together until Andrew flatted and fell back
in the placings after getting a wheel change. Travis surged ahead
several times but each time Earnendel, Tristan and Brian would chase back.
In the barrier section, Earendel hit his bike against one of the barriers which
slowed him and the other chasers just slightly. That was all Travis needed
to leap off the front again and take the lead all the way to the end. That
left the three riders to fight it out for the final placings. On the last
lap, Brian slipped back a little and Earendel and Tristan fought it out in the
final sprint on the speedway. In the end Earendel had just enough to beat
Tristan at the line and took the State Championship.
Wrap Up
Thanks to John and all the Brazen Dropouts who made this such a fabulous race.
All the hard work paid off as the racers and spectators all had a great venue
for the racing action. Thanks also go out to all the sponsors who make
this possible. Congratulations to all the racers who turned out throughout
the season and made the racing happen. See you next year. | 
