MadCross.org - 2006 Cyclocross Nationals Riders to Watch

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Midwest Riders to Watch

Elite Men:
Tristan Schouten - Once again 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 had an excellent rider last year in Providence finishing an impressive eighth. Look for Tristan to be gunning for an even better finish this year.

Kyle Jacobsen - Kyle has hit another of UCI races this season and will be bringing his experience to Providence to take on the elite race. With strong finishes at Wisconsin venues like Washington Park and Janesville Kyle is a rider who will be able to take on the challenges of Providence whether it is a dry day or a race of snow and mud.

Chris Strout - Chris has put a bigger focus on cyclocross this year and has been honing his skills both on the cross bike and by getting out mountain bike racing. Chris has been to the Boulder Gran Prix race so he knows what it takes to compete at the top level.

Kurt Refsnider - Technically Kurt is living in Colorado but as a Midwestern native I'm going to keep him on our riders to watch list. He's been duking it out week in and week out with some of the big names and should have a strong ride in Providence this year.

Elite Women:
Megan Monroe - Megan is another Midwest native now residing in Colorado but she honed her skills in Wisconsin so she also will be on our Midwest list. If you don't remember Megan she has won both the Collegiate National Championship and the Under 23. She has had strong finishes at Gran Prix races this season and should have her best Elite Nationals race yet. Megan certainly knows what it will take to be in the front.

Under 23:
Bjorn Selander - Bjorn was a top junior rider and this year has moved up to the Under 23 category. He had a third place finish at the last US Gran Prix race and looks to have good form heading into December in Providence.

Kip Spaude - Kip may be attending college in the warm environments of Texas but based on his return to Wisconsin cyclocross for the snowy Janesville race he still has what it takes to tackle the all weather challenges of nationals.

Juniors:
Kaitlin Antonneau - Kaitlin is the reigning National Champion for Junior Girls 13-14 and will be returning to Providence to try and capture the title in the 15-16 Junior category. Kaitlin has been mixing up cyclocross racing with cross country running so should be a force to reckon with during the run ups.

Thomson Remo - Thomson has been racing every cross race he can find in the Midwest. He's been racing the Cat 3 races this season and should have a strong finish.

Marcie Weiss - Marcie is a strong junior rider who started young and has worked to refine her technique. Marcie races more races than most throughout the year and will be using that experience to try and garner a top finish in Providence.

Chris Hurst - Chris was the top Jr boy in the WCA series, winning the overall series and all but 2 of the races. Chris will be riding in the Jrs 15-16.

Sarah Huang - Sarah will be looking to dominate in the 12 and under girl's race in Providence like she does in Wisconsin.

Masters:
Brian Conant - Brian has been flying this season and looks to be ready to be a top Master's racer. Last year he was in place for a podium finish when a mechanical slowed him down. He ripped it up later in the B 35+ race to finish on the podium.

Bob Downs - Bob is headed out to Providence to try and unseat perennial National Champion Paul Curley. Bob will also have to go head to head again with strong man Dag Selander.

Jim Holmes - Jim will only be able to be in Providence to contest the master's race but will be looking to use the form he's shown in the elite men's races this season to finish strong in the master's 30-34 race.

Dag Selander - Father of Under 23 star, Bjorn Selander, Dag is an experienced racer who knows what it takes to put in a strong finish. Dag finished 4th in 2005 and looks on form to do even better this year.

Chris Strout - Chris will also be taking on the Master's race to make for an action packed weekend of racing.

David Bell - Dave has a cross bike now and will be entering both the Master's race and the B race. His focus is nordic skiing but those roller ski intervals should prepare him for the hard run ups at Providence.

David Yu Greenblatt - David is the Cat 3 Wisconsin Champion and has been on fire all season in the ferocious battle in the Cat 3 series. Look for David to be making a name for himself in Providence.

Amy Dykema - Amy is headed out to Providence to see what the hype is all about. Look for her to be tearing it up on Friday morning.

Renee Callaway - Renee is headed back for a second attempt at Nationals. The East Coast has never been kind to Renee with a torn ACL in her first east coast cross trip in '04 and an annoying illness in Providence in '05. Renee is looking to overcome her east coast jinx and get a good result this year.

Going to Providence? Let me know so I can get you on the list!

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