Dave Eckel making his way over the barriers.

With unseasonably warm temperature, the 2012 edition of the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship in Madison, WI was one for the ages. The crowds were out in force and cheering like a pack of wild monkeys. The course was dynamic with early morning races featuring frozen mud and dangerous ruts and later races being complete mud fests.

Tom Winkel tackles the 21 step blistering stair climb.

There was a Non-Championship race held at the course on Wednesday. Tom Winkle and Eric Brandt both raced; in the 40+ and 35-39 races respectively. After massive amounts of calcium chloride were used to melt the ice which had formed, the course was pretty muddy. Tom placed 21^st in his race while Eric managed a 12^th place, both excellent results.

Saturday brought a slight drop in temperatures from Friday and with it the mud was harder and took longer to thaw. Dave Eckel was first to race at 9am with probably one of the most dangerous races all weekend.

In a race where keeping it upright was nearly impossible, Dave survived a few early mistakes, but eventually went down hard over the bars. He had to see the medical tent with a possible concussion, but was lucky to be unhurt.

Next up was Eric back for more after riding in completely different conditions on Wednesday. In a highly contested men’s 35-39 championship race, Eric placed 54^th. While he was a little disappointed, it will only fuel him to train harder.  With the afternoon sun, came the mud and Joe Maloney was able to capitalize on a good start to place 13^th in the U23 Elite race.

This officially ends the CX season for the KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin boys. It has been a successful season with its ups and downs. We look forward to seeing everyone this coming spring.

Joe Maloney rounds the turn into the technical section of the course.

What was our New Year’s resolution? Race our bikes, of course and we didn’t waste any time getting at it.

This year’s inaugural Chicago Cross Cup’s New Year’s Resolution race was held in Bloomingdale, IL on December 31^st 2011 and January 1^st 2012.

The course was completely exposed with no tree covering and only one significant elevation gain which riders tackled twice per lap. Rain the preceding days made the course unbelievably muddy and cold temperatures made it a tough race.

In the Masters race, Dave Eckel had a tough day finishing 21^st and decided to not race on Sunday to prepare for nationals the following weekend.  Joseph Maloney had 2^nd row starts both days which allowed him to get into the lead group on Saturday. He finished 2^nd that day.

On Sunday, a first lap crash gave Maloney a 10 second gap which quickly stretched out to 30 seconds. Austin Vincent, Saturday winner began to chase. In an exciting last lap Austin made contact and the two rode together for a few minutes. In the final deep mud pit Joseph bobbled and lost Austin. He gave chase but it proved to difficult. Joe rolled in for another fine 2^nd place result.

Maloney Second Place Chi-Cross Cup New Year's Resolution

Next weekend is Cyclocross Nationals right here in our backyard. KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin will be there in force with a full tent and many racers. Come out and cheer on your favorite racers at Badger Prairie in Verona January 4 through the 8^th.

KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin riders Dave Eckel and Joe Maloney made the 4 hour drive out to the Johnson County fairgrounds this past Thanksgiving weekend for the annual Jingle Cross Rock.

The race started as a charity event for the local hospital, but has grown in its nine year history into a massive event hosting 2 UCI C2 and 1 UCI C1 level events. Racing begins on Friday with a C2 under the lights, followed by Saturdays C2 and Sundays C1.

Friday’s course featured a long start straight, a tough off-camber hill section followed immediately by as steep fly-over, a long run up Mt. Crumpet, Lincoln logs, and a huge pinwheel. Dave started the night off with a 10th place in the Masters 45+ division against the best riders in the Midwest. Joe had a great start and avoided a pileup on the off-camber section to put him in 3rd which he maintained from the first lap until the finish 45 minutes later. Overall a great start to the 3 day weekend against the best in the Midwest.

Saturday’s course was changed slightly from Friday. If still had the off-camber crusher as it was known from Friday, but skipped the flyover in order to add in a long, painful ascent up Mt. Crumpet. Riders then took a steep twisty decent down the other side. The pinwheel remained but instead of the Lincoln logs from Friday, 2 barriers to force a dismount. To make matters even more fun, rain throughout the morning and day made the course brutal, with many sections un-rideable.

The ride down Mt. Crumpet was particularly interesting. Dave suffered a dropped chain on lap one putting him behind with ground to make up. He managed another 10th place in the Masters 45+ field. Joe was feeling good, but the long ride up Mt. Crumpet forced many to run because of the mud and on the 4 lap race he ran it 2 times which he admits is not his strong suit. He bounced between 3rd and 6th, but eventually came in for 5th place.

After a night to dry the mud on Sunday was thick and greasy. The organizers again changed the course to include the flyover, run up Mt. Crumpet, a different off-camber decent down the hill, and the Lincoln logs once again.

Dave started things off well with a good start in the top 10 and only went up from there. After battling with a rider during the last few laps he was able to win the sprint by a bike length and come in for 5th place, scoring a big result and a little cash too. Before the start, Dave rode up to Joe and gave him his wheels equipped with the new Challenge Limus tubular.

Joe was able to once again get a good start and immediately began picking up spots through the first lap thanks to his tires grip in the corners.. By the second time around he was sitting in 2nd with a local rider on his tail applying pressure. The gaps bounced between 5-20 seconds for the remainder of the race until the elastic finally snapped and the gap got huge. Joe rolled in for 2nd place in the tough Men’s Cat 2 field.

Overall an incredibly successful weekend for Team Wisconsin scoring some huge results at one of the Midwest’s biggest cross races.

Further coverage can be found at: Cycling News, Velo News, CX Magazine, Podium Insight, and Cycling Dirt.

The course had plenty of technical sections – two off camber turns; two barrier sections; and a sand pit. The course also featured two long straight-ways, which when you’re running 35 PSI in your tires, can make for a challenging day. At stake this day: a state of Wisconsin state champion cycling jersey.

Two state champion jerseys were won for KS Energy/Team Wisconsin. Eric Brandt in the Men’s – Category 4 – 35+ Master’s; and Tom Winkel in the Men’s Category 4 – 45+ Master’s.
Other strong performances by KS Energy/Team Wisconsin riders included:

Men – Masters 35+ Category 4

• Eric Brandt – 1st
• Dave Dineen – 13th

Men – Masters 45+ Category 4

• Tom Winkel – 1st
• Brien Christopherson – 8th

Men – Masters 45+ Category 1/2

• Dave Eckel – 8th

Men – Category 4

• Eric Brandt – 8th

Men – Category 3

• Marc Ano – 21st

Men – Pro/Cat 1/2

• Joe Maloney – 7th

• Mark Norton – 9th

More Photos

A shout out to Alex Martin for getting the big W, and a state championship jersey in what was a large cat 3 field. Although Alex isn’t riding for KS Energy/Team Wisconsin this year, he’ll be joining our team in 2012.

SALEM — Steady winds in excess of 24 miles per hour couldn’t keep racers from braving the 2011 Border Battle cyclocross race presented by KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin Nov. 13.

Great prizes awaited the more than 130 riders after the USA Cycling-sanctioned racing action. Saris provided two bike racks, which were given away to Paul Roltgen, Cottage Grove, and Noah Stamsta, Waunakee. In addition, Avery Hotchkiss, Verona, took home the raffle prize of a Trek mountain bike and Bontrager helmet.

Race Photos

Avery, who also raced in the junior category, wasn’t the only youngster who benefited from attending the race. All juniors at the race rode for free, thanks to United Chiropractic Sports & Rehabilitation who covered their entry fees.

Avery Hotchiss of Verona, WI wins the Trek MT220 kids mountain bike and Bontrager helmet .

After repair work to tape outlining the race route following a night of gusty winds, racing kicked off with the junior age categories.

Following a day of unpredictable weather, the course remained dry and intact for the Pro 1/2 field, which saw Matt Shriver, Madison, storm out to created a sizable gap on his competition — a gap he wouldn’t relinquish.

Two racers, Kevin McConnell, Iowa City, Iowa (Mercy-Specialized) and Chad Hartley, Fox Point (Kenda Pro Cycling presented by Geargrinder) tried to give chase, but were unsuccessful. McConnell finished second, with Hartley coming in third to round out the podium.

In contrast to other courses on the Wisconsin Cycling Association 2011 calendar, the Border Battle course in a well-maintained venue thanks to the Kenosha County Parks department on the shore of Silver Lake featured a tricky, winding, technical decent into another snaking, treacherous flat section, which featured the only set of barriers.

Mark Norton running through the challenging sand pit at Border Battle. Mark finishes 7th in the Pro12 Field. Photos by Eric Brandt.

Many riders were heard lamenting the challenge of the course, then praising it in the next breath. The course also featured a sand pit — surrounded during the Pro 1/2 race with raucous spectators encouraging beer handoffs from sand castles — which forced many riders to hop off and run through it.

The race showcased participants ranging from juniors as young as 10 years old, up to masters category racers over the age of 65.

For complete race results visit click here.

Brent Emery unveils the new 2012 Trek Madone team bike.

Team Wisconsin / KS Energy Services celebrated a success filled year on Saturday November 5^th in the landscaped greenways of the Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, WI.

The team, just about to wrap up its first year of sponsorship with KS Energy Services, rolled out a host of big announcements during the night, including the merging of forces with Wisconsin based cycling team Chiropratic Partners and new sponsoring partner Emery’s Cycling.  Chiropractic Partner’s brings a roster boost of established talent and leadership to the already well-rounded group.

Some of the riders, including WCA president Andy Reiland, are making their return trip to team Wisconsin after having transferred to Chiropractic for the last few seasons.  The merger also brings an exciting new addition of a women’s team lead by Deanna Courtney.

Brent Emery, of the night’s big sponsorship announcement Emery’s Cycling, was present to address the team and proudly unveil a vibrant red Trek Madone as the team’s new race machine for 2012.  An unveiling that certainly lit-up a few eyes in the audience.  The support of a partner like Emery’s is special for team Wisconsin and it’s particularly fun when they bring shiny new toys for everyone to look at.

2011 was a great year for Team Wisconsin but nothing beats the achievement of standing top step at the end of a long race series.  To honor such an achievement, Dennis Klumb of KS Energy Services presented Tour of America’s Dairyland Champion, Karl Larson, with a beautifully framed winner’s jersey accompany by Karl’s race number signed by his supporting team mates and photo of the winner’s podium.  It was a wonderful high note of the night and one that you can be sure the team will be gunning to repeat for next year.

Dennis Klumb and Dave Eckel present Karlton "Moose" Larson's framed TOAD Championship Jersey.

Click Here for More Banquet Photos

Race Flyer

Pre-registration is available HERE!

There will be a little something extra at stake for racers of all ages and ability levels at the Silver Lake Border Battle cyclocross race Nov. 13 in Salem.

A total of $1,250, medals and a cavalcade of prizes will be doled out to participants in categories ranging from Junior Boys and Girls 10 to 14 up to Masters 55 and older. In addition, the team will be raffling a kids mountain bike and Bontrager helmet to help support its junior fund.

The largest cash prizes await the winners of the women and men Cat Pro 1/2 fields. Each Pro 1/2 race will feature a total payout of $415 divided among the top five finishers.

There is one additional incentive for all racers; Wisconsin Cycling Association (WCA) Crank Daddy’s Cyclocross Series overall points will be awarded in each race.

The prize list is more than simply cash payouts, KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin will also be giving away a total of 30 merchandise prizes including, a pair of Assos summer socks and pull-on gloves, Look CoolMax socks Clif bars and drink mix, Felt/Garmin/Transition T-shirts and much more.

KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin also wants to give everyone at the race a chance to win, while raising money to help junior riders in the team’s youth program. Team Wisconsin will be staging a kids bike raffle, which will help provide money for the team’s junior fund. Raffle Tickets will be sold for $2, and every child who enters the race will earn a free raffle ticket for a chance to win the Trek MT 220 kids mountain bike and Bontrager helmet.

Directions:

To find the race from Highway I94 in Kenosha, take West Highway 50, then turn left on Highway CR-F as you’re leaving Paddock Lake. The park is 1.5 miles on the right. Or, if you are using a GPS unit enter, “27200 85th St Salem WI 53168,” into the device.

Registration for the race opens at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 13 and closes 15 minutes before each event. No late or unattached fees will be accepted. Entry fee includes USA Cycling insurance and WCA surcharge. Riders without a USA Cycling (USAC) racing license must purchase a $10 one-day license. USAC permit-applied-for and USAC rules will apply. Second races are $10.

KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin is raffling off this Trek MT220 kids mountain bike and Bontrager helmet Nov. 13 at the Silver Lake Border Battle cyclocross race to help fund the teams' junior fund. The race also features $1,250 in cash prizes, in addition to 30 merchandise prizes.

Aaron Duston remounts during the Master's 1/2 race at the Badger Prairie 'Further Cross' race. Photo by Eric Brandt.

Verona WI – A crisp 60 degree day in October made for a perfect setting for the ‘Further Cross’ cyclocross race held at Badger Prairie Park. KS Energy Services/Team Wisconsin had racers competing in just about every category and put on a great performance.

The course was hilly and featured two barrier sections, a sand pit, and a rail road tie run up. Badger Prairie Park will also be the host of cyclocross nationals in January 2012.

Click Here for Race Photos

Results:

Mark Norton – 6th ( P 1/2)

Bryan Fosler – 15th (P/1/2)

Aaron Duston – 11th (M 1/2 35+)

Dave Eckel – 6th  (M 1/2 45+)

Tim Racette – 2nd (Cat 3 )

Tyson Hausdoerffer – 15th (Cat 3)

Briant Kelly – 13th (M 4 35+), 37th (Cat 4)

Mikey Verhagen – 21st (Cat 4)

Eric Brandt – 2nd (M 4 35+), 15th (Cat 4)

Andy Reiland – 5th (M 4 45+)

Jason Kayzar. Photo by Gary at XTRPhoto.

The 2011 Wisconsin Off Road Series turned some of the biggest venues and crowds to date. Featuring the PRO XCT at Mt. Morris the WORS series stands as the largest start MTB series in the country. Director Don Edberg was nominated for the MTB hall of fame for his efforts over the past 20 years.

Series Overall Results

Pro/Cat 1
1. Tristan Schouten
2. Brian Matter
3. Nathan Guerra

21. Bryan Fosler (2 in Age Group 24-34)
23. Joe Maloney (2 in Age Group 19-23)
29. Tim Racette (5 in Age Group 24-34)

Notable finishes by
Joe Maloney (9th Franklin, 7th Sheboygan Pro/Cat1)
Tim Racette (14th River Falls, Pro/Cat1)
Jason Kayzar (1st Single Speed Franklin, Cat 2)
Nick Frye (2nd Age Group Franklin, Cat 2)
Marc Ano (1st in Age Group Iola, Cat 2)
Kevin Pomasl (9th Wausau, Cat 2)

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 – 39^th overall

Tim Racette – 43^rd overall

Brian Fosler – 61^st overall

Kevin Pomasl – 84^th overall

Dave Eckel – 112^th overall

Andrew Ohlsson – 113^th overall

Congratulation to all who raced!