United Chiropractic Sports & Rehabilitation gives boost to junior racers.
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.
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.