In its third year of existence, the Tour of America’s Dairyland seams to be enjoying its best year to date. With large rider turnouts, energetic crowds, the fantastic support of sponsors and a committed organization, this tour is has quickly gained national attention. This year, teams from all over have made the journey to compete for the grandeur that comes with the raising of a bottle of chocolate milk in salute to crowd after donning the coveted spotted cow leaders jersey.
KS Energy Services, only in its inaugural year as title sponsor of Team Wisconsin, has quickly established a respected presence in the peloton and the riders, although humble out of competition, are becoming known as a cohesive force to watch within the race. The teamwork and selflessness displayed of each rider is unmatched by any other team and has caught the attention of the announcers who call out the races as if the team is giving a seminar.
Listening and watching this team, you find yourself hooked and caught up in the excitement. At five laps to go, the field goes by and a KS rider in red leads the charge to reel in a small group that has gain some distance off the front. With three laps to go, the group has been caught. One lap to go: the crowd roars and streaks of red fill the field of vision as a train of riders stretches like a rubber band.
The train passes in an eclectic storm of whirling wheels, gasps of breath, and shifting gears. Faster than the came, the single file line rounds the corner out of sight, leaving in its wake only the deafening silence of screaming spectators. Blind, you imagine how the race is playing out on the backside of the course. Anticipation and the electric stir of the crowd are tangible.
In the midst of the finish line mob, all eyes focus down course waiting to catch the first glimpse of the first rider rounding the final bend. Heads pound in rhythm to the deafening thunder roll of spectator cheers and the drumming of the barriers. You squint, and the excitement catches up with you. The pace car rounds the corner. Your heart beats a few beats faster and a small lump forms in your throat.
The first blur of a rider – mouth open, head down, heart pouring out, rounds into the finish strait – and as you release the swelled up cheer to bring the lead-out in, you find yourself directing your energy to bring home the team in red.