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Riders to Watch

Elite Men:
Matt Kelly - The official press kit has this to say about Matt:  "This is a curious re-entry.  As a junior Matt Kelly shocked all when he won the world cyclocross championship.  With the rainbow jersey, however, Kelly made the unusual decision to retire from racing to attend college.  He's back.  What that means, however, remains to be seen."  Well, I think everyone in the Midwest knows what that means - it means that everyone should watch out as he gets faster and faster every week.  Matt's decision to get back into cyclocross has meant more competitive and fun to watch races this season in the Midwest.  Nothing curious about that!

Tristan Schouten - Tristan is spending the month leading up to Nationals racing UCI races on the east coast and trying to score those ever elusive UCI points that will garner him a better starting position.  Tristan is perhaps best known for his success as a mountain biker but you can expect to see strong results from him as he gains more cross experience outside Wisconsin.

Jim Holmes - Jim has been working on improving his cross skills to help him garner a good finish this year.  He has also traveled to races in Iowa and Ohio to test his legs and with good results.  He also headed out to Gloucester to test himself against the best competition in the country.

Kurt Refsnider - Kurt has gotten stronger as the season progresses with a fifth place finish at the Ohio UCI race.  Unfortunately he broke a metacarpel in his hand at the first race in the Gloucester weekend.  He vows to be back in December for Nationals.  Hopefully those lonely trainer rides have kept his fitness at the level necessary to take on the Elite race in Providence.

Elite Women:
Megan Monroe - Megan has won both the Collegiate National Championship and the Under 23.  She traveled to Gloucester where she finished a strong 17th each day.  Look for Megan to keep improving and moving up in the ranks.  She has been spending most of her time in Colorado where she has faced stiff competition at the races from women such as Current National Champ Katie Compton.  Megan will certainly know what it will take to be in the front.

Juniors:
Bjorn Selander - Bjorn is the current Junior National Champion and was the 2004 Wisconsin Junior Champion.  He was second overall in the Gran Prix and has to be the favorite for the win in Providence.  Bjorn hails from Hudson, WI but races in the Minnesota series (Hudson is just over the border from MN).

Katie Antonneau - Katie is currently the reigning Junior national champion on the road in her age group and has to be considered a strong contender to win the title in cross as well.  Katie races with the A Women to help her prepare and is placing higher every week.

Samantha Schneider - Samantha completely embraced racing cross this year and got better with each race.  A slew of top finishes has left her ready for the next challenge.  Samantha fis another strong Junior girl who is a strong contender to for a National Championship title.

Thomson Remo - Thomson has been racing since the first races of the season back as early as February.  Thomson's love of racing has given him lots of experience and we should expect a strong showing from him in the juniors.

Matt Brandt - Matt is the 2004 Wisconsin Junior Champion and a late registrant for Cyclocross Nationals.  A stellar season in both the Junior races and the B races should have prepared him for a strong race in Providence.

Masters:
Patti Kaufmann - Patti was the Master's Women Champion back in 1994 and is on track to repeat again in 2005.  Patti has been winning races both in the Wisconsin series and the Chicago series and has the experience, fitness and skills to once again be a National Champion.

Chris Strout - Chris has decided to make the trip to Providence to take on the challenge of the Master's race and also the Elite race.  Chris has the fitness and has been working on his technical skills.  It's showed as he improves each year.  He registered late for the event and has no UCI points so he will be starting in the back but this will be a learning year where he gains experience for the future.

Brian Conant - Brian has been seen racing in the A races in Chicago to get prepared for Nationals.  He's been consistently finishing near the top of the group and looks to be on form for a strong performance in Providence.

David Bell - Dave seems to have traded in his roller skis for cyclocross at least for the time being.  Because Dave had no plans to race at Nationals he will be registering late and so won't have a good start position.  Starting in the back of a 150 racer field will likely hold him back from a strong placing but hopefully will be just the impetus he needs to upgrade from a mountain bike to a cross bike for next season.

Renee Callaway - Renee is showing improvement after missing a season because of a torn ACL. She will be focusing on the Master's women race and at this point is unlikely to race the Elite race.  She likely won't be a contender for the podium but will be out to gain valuable racing experience which she can put to use next year as she works towards a full comeback from her knee surgery.

Linda Sone - Linda is a late registrant for cyclocross nationals but her recent performers make her a strong contender.  She has just taken wins at the Angell Park Cross race and the Jingle Cross Rock.  She will be racing both the Master's Women 30-34 and the Elite Women's race. :Watch for her at the front of the race.

Others:  Other regional riders who will be in Providence include Illinois rider Chris Dimmik, Minnesotan Harry Anderson, Alan Factory Team leader Paul Schoening also from Minnesota, Todd Otanicar from Cincinnati,  Anne Grofvert and Anne Schwartz from Michigan and many more. 

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