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UW Whitewater Cross rocks Lake Yellowstone It was a beautiful fall day at Yellowstone Lake State Park for a cross race. Temps were around 60 degrees and from the top of the race course you could see all the trees changing colors. However, this was not a race course for everyone. Bumpy downhills and lung busting climbs characterized the day. The two sets of barriers were both hill run-ups (oh those wacky college kids love to make people suffer). Very little relief was found on the course as you were either hanging on for dear life flying down a fast bumpy section or praying your legs wouldn't give out on one of the many uphills. In the A Men's race, Matt Kelly (Alan Factory Team), Brian Matter (PCW Cycling) and Tristan Schouten (Trek Midwest) took the early lead. However, flat tires and needed bike changes by Tristan soon reduced the lead to Matt and Brian with Jim Holmes eventually surging by Tristan. On the final lap Matt made his move and unleashed Brian from his wheel to take the win. Brian held on for second with Jim Holmes taking third and Tristan holding on for fourth.
This was just the opening that Heidi Ploeg (Atkins Cycling) needed and she surged forward on the next lap to eventually catch Renee on the climb up to the start/finish area. Renee railed down the bumpy downhill to try and get a small gap back. By the middle of the last lap Renee had recovered and had a small gap which she took all the way to the finish. Heidi came in second, followed by Brittany Nigh (Pedal Moraine) and Diane Ostenso who suffered mechanical problems finished fourth. |
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The
Women's A/B race had a small but determined field. Diane Ostenso
(Alan Factory Team) got the hole shot down the first fast, bumpy
downhill. At the first uphill barrier Renee Callaway (Alan Factory
Team) took over the lead from her teammate. Renee built up a
sizeable gap but mid-way through the race she hit her knee on the first
up hill barriers and then tripped and fell going over the second set of
up hill barriers.