What’s grey and overcast and red all over? The 2019 Team Wisconsin powered by the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital launch!
As has become tradition, Revere’s in Delafield opened their doors for us hours before their usual lunch crowd so we could chat, sort through endless piles of kits, gear and supplies and begin the friendly smack-talk that is racing. It’s always fun to catch up with old friends as well as meet some new faces, and this event had plenty of both.
The day began with a brief round of introductions. Not surprisingly, everyone introduced themselves as “…the slow guy/girl…”, yet get them on a bike and it’s as if they’re fired from a cannon. Next, Dave Eckel gave a fantastic presentation of expectations for the year. Safety, fun, hard work and dedication were all central themes. The Team has a well-respected legacy and has shaped hundreds of riders over the past couple of decades, so it’s important that every rider understand and carry on the traditions. Road, mountain, cross, gravel, track and endurance racing are all represented in 2019, so the bright red jerseys of Team Wisconsin will be spotted at hundreds of events this year.
Bike racing, like all other elite sports, would not exist without dedicated sponsors and Team Wisconsin is no exception. Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital is returning as our title sponsor, and we could not ask for a more aligned and committed partner. KS Energy, a national infrastructure contracting company based in New Berlin, WI, continues to support the Team, cycling and charity events throughout the region. Last year we were fortunate enough to partner with Wheel & Sprocket Delafield, and I’m happy to report that post-honeymoon our marriage is still going strong! “Wheel” has won every conceivable award in the industry, and their commitment to cycling shines through in everything they do. Freddy Derocher continues to support the team with his sprinting abilities AND his company, Countrywide Financial. A bike racing team would be nothing without a bike sponsor, and we’ve got the best: Trek Bikes. We are honored to ride and race our favorite Wisconsin export. Anodyne Coffee, an outstanding alternative to that over-roasted Stargazer brand, is once again supplying the pre-and post-race rocket fuel. And finally, everyone’s favorite race food, Clif Bar, has been our go-to for as long as I can remember. We could not be more proud to wear the logos of all of these sponsors every time we throw a leg over our favorite Trek bike!
Our event had temperatures forecasted 15° above average with abundant sunshine on tap. Unfortunately, Wisconsin delivered a typical gloomy day with temps hovering in the 50s and dropping as the afternoon gave way to evening. Regardless, we were as excited as Freddy’s cat in a wig shop to get on our first official Team ride of the year. The 44 mile out and back route to Holy Hill had just enough climbs and spirit to test everyone’s Spring form. With a few miles to go it became clear which riders had spent their winter Zwifting and which had not.
Clearly, racing is what unites us, but that alone does not make a Team. We are committed stewards of cycling, as well as giving back to our collective communities. We’ll lead the charge against childhood cancer at the Trek 100 Ride for Hope (June 1st), host the Whitnall Spring Classic criterium (April 20th) and volunteer and race at the East Troy Cycling Classic (June 21st). The Team will also race to win at the Tour of America’s Dairyland race series (June 20th – June 30th) and the Trek sponsored World Cup cyclocross race in Waterloo (Sept. 22nd).
2019 looks to be an exceptional year of racing, riding and camaraderie, the likes of which few Teams will ever experience. Stay tuned…
