Badger Prairie Cyclocross Race
October 3, 2004

Promoter:Capitol Velo Club
Sponsors: Williamson Bicycle and Fitness, Willy Street Coop and Bagels Forever

Cyclingnews.com coverage

Photos (taken by David Bell, Dirk Mason and Mark Harms):
A Men's Race
Women's Races
30+ Men's Race
B Men and 40+ Men's Races
C Men, First Time, Men, Juniors and Singlespeed Races
Video

A beautiful but windy fall day welcomed racers at Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, WI and some excellent racers turned out to compete in the second race in the WCA Series.  The women of the Capitol Velo Club always enjoy making a challenge for racers and today's race was no exception with a course featuring a good hill run up, many technical twisting corners and a fast three barrier section near the start. 

An especially strong A Men's field was present with several out-of-towners at the race.  The course proved to be a challenge for some of the A Men as a number of crashes occurred in the technical sections.  However, none of that proved to be a challenge for Jed Schneider of the Alan Factory Team who made the corners, up hill run and fast three barrier section look easy.  As the race progressed his lead only grew.  Finishing in second, Jacob Stechman (Subway Express) chased furiously but trouble in the corners kept him from ever challenging for the win.  In third place Milwaukee racer Andrew Hargarten (Hampshire Cycle Club) kept the pressure on the front runners and was the top Wisconsin finisher.  In fifth place Jim Holmes (Alan Factory Team) looks to be coming on strong and bears watching as the season progresses.

In the Women's A/B field Rebecca Cleveland (Team Bike Hub) is back for a season of cross racing and was out to a strong start with a commanding win.  Patti Kaufman (Team Wisconsin) also had a great race and is the current leader in the overall series  Samantha Kaplan (Capitol Velo Club) rounded out the podium with a strong race which was hampered by having been up at the crack of dawn to mark the course.  With a bit more sleep and time for a better warm up she is a rider worth watching in the overall series this year.

The Men's 30+ Race was a hotly contested race with John Ericsson (Brazen Dropouts) taking the hole shot at the start.  However, in a continuation from last season Brian Conant (Nova IS Corp) soon went to the front and stayed there for the win.  Ben Lund (Endeavor) finished a strong second and Scott Topel (Brazen Dropouts) rounded out the podium for a well earned third place.

The largest field of the day was the B Men's race and it was Jerry Long (Chainsmokers) jumping out first from the start.  Jerry held on for 4th place in his first race since winning the C Men's series last season. 

The C Women's Race had a strong field and a familiar racer from last year, Brittany Nigh (Team Pedal Morraine), who once again took the win.  Colleen Westphal (Wheel & Sprocket/Trek) looked great in her 2nd cyclocross race ever and will move into the series lead.  Stephanie Holmes rounded out the podium in third place riding a borrowed cross bike.

Badger Prairie Cyclocross Top 10 List

10. The one hardcore singlespeed racer - who needs gears!!
9. Rollerskiers at the park making cyclocrossers look normal
8. All the first time racers - I bet they're hooked!
7. Cool cyclocross specific medals for the first timers. 
6.  Hill run ups - raise your hand if you've been doing hill repeats.  If you aren't you better start.  Whitewater is coming up.
5. Gorgeous fall weather - it was windy but that's a minor detail unless you were trying to keep the registration forms from blowing away.
4. Great local sponsors like Williamson Bicycle and Fitness, Willy Street Coop and Bagels Forever.  Shop these businesses often.
3. Junior Women - Marcie does the Junior race with the boys and then the Junior girls race.  Rock on.
2. Courses with lots of corners and other fun challenges to test bike handling skills.  It is cross after all.
1. Jed Schneider of the Alan Factory Team dropping in to race and making it almost look easy. (See photo for example).

Results: