The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is held every September in the north woods of Wisconsin. Saturdays’ events include a 40 mile epic point to point from Hayward, WI to Telemark Resort near Cable, WI as well as a shorter 16 mile race.
Between the two races over 2500 participants make the yearly pilgrimage to the normally quite part of the Chequamegon National forest.
This year the course was in perfect condition, as the soil was damp enough to be held together, and a dry week made it fast! 6 KS Energy Services/ Team Wisconsin riders competed in the 40 mile race this year. Other notable participants were: Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Cervelo), Brian Matter (GearGrinder), and Jason McCartney (RadioShack). The field was stacked to say the least.
The pace was fast from the gun, as the race surged out of Hayward at speeds in excess of 30 mph. When the pack hit the dirt in Rosie’s field a lead group of 10 or so riders went away and KS/TW rider Joe Maloney led the chase with Teammates Brian Fosler and Tim Racette in toe. From there, it became a game of survival.
After the 40 grueling miles, KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin had some amazing results. 4 of the 6 finished in the top 100, with the other two just outside the top 100. Two of those riders were also in the top 50 overall.
Additionally, the Cable Crit-Cross race held on Sunday gave competitors an opportunity to show some cyclocross form. Joe Maloney was the top qualifier and finished second in the finals race to Jack Richards of the MapleLodge team.
Full Results:
Joseph Maloney – 39th overall
Tim Racette – 43rd overall
Brian Fosler – 61st overall
Kevin Pomasl – 84th overall
Dave Eckel – 112th overall
Andrew Ohlsson – 113th overall
Congratulation to all who raced!