There was great anticipation as Team Wisconsin Cycling began the 2010 season. Winter ‘09/’10 saw the team add a few new strong riders and sights were set to build upon the previous season’s accomplishments. The inaugural year for the Category 3 Development team proved effective and highlighted a depth of talent in the young squad. Four from the 2009 development team’s roaster moved into the Cat 1/2 field for 2010, while fresh legs filled the shoes in Team Wisconsin’s Cat 3 development program.
Brian Stoveken at Whitnall Park Cat 3 Race
From the start of the 2010 season, many on the team showed great form, putting on a show and raising the bar. New arrivals set up camp on the podium in the early season Cat 1/2 races while newcomers to the Cat 3 development team solidly stamped their presence in the WCA. The team’s masters riders taught the young crew how to get things done, sharing years of racing wisdom and experience which brought the whole team up to speed rather quickly.
With a smaller team than 2009, top results were not as plentiful, but in many ways the results were more spectacular. Our newly upgraded elite riders pulled through with a great season, racking up the experience and working hard for the team’s more experienced riders. Highlighting the season was the Tour of America’s Dairyland Elkhart Lake Road Race, where Frank Dierking put a Team Wisconsin / MC2 jersey across the line first for a big win. Frank’s win rippled throughout the community, and even the country, scoring a cover story on cyclingnews.com. Both the elite and devo teams learned much from this season about tactics, timing, fitness, and nutrition, but the prominent lesson went to the Midwest racing scene: keep an eye out for Team Wisconsin!
The achievements on the road during the 2010 season solidified Team Wisconsin’s spot as one of the top amateur cycling teams in the Midwest. The Team has matured a great deal as well; not just with the experience of the individuals, but also as a cohesive team. Team Wisconsin forged an identity in 2010; one we will confidently defend and expand as we move into 2011.