Day 12 was in Cedarburg, hometown of the Sun Dawg Erik Skarvan. Cedarburg has only been on the circuit for a few years but it is already one of the top events at Superweek. Max carpooled with another rider staying in Milwaukee and I rode up with my Mom and Aunt and met up with Max at the race. It wasn't quite as hot as it has been, in fact it was quite cool in comparison, nevertheless, cold beverages were still in order. After getting Max started on another 100k journey round and round, I set out to find some ice for the cooler and head to the feed zone. My quest took me to Maxwell's bar right on the course as I couldn't find a gas station very close. The barkeep hooked me up with some ice from the back and I decided I buy a New Glarus Spotted Cow off of him for his help. When he asked if I wanted it in a "to go" cup, I knew it was going to be a great stage. Of course I took the offer, by the way, the Spotted Cow is one of the top 5 beers I've ever tried, so if you ever find yourself in Wisconsin, give it a go.
The race was blistering fast, probably averaging over 30 MPH for the whole distance. This made things a bit challenging in the feed zone and a neighboring photographer snapped more than a few shots of bottles flying out of the hands of the riders trying to grab feeds from their support crews. Max was cool and collected and bided his time for the finale, sitting in the wheels and moving up towards the end. We were able to get a good handup after only one failed attempt, and I then headed to the finish to check out the action. Crowds 3 deep or more lined the barriers and made a wall of sound as the finish approached. A four man break made it's way clear in the last 30k and looked to lap the field, but they decided to hold back and contest the sprint without the interference of the rest of the peloton. A member of the Columbian nationl track squad took a hard fought sprint and the field dashed in behind for the rest of the lower placings. Max took 23rd out of 140 or so starters, once again in the money and a job well done.
Day 13 was a road race stage at Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. Rock Racing was still defending the lead of Sterling Magnell who has had the yellow jersey since the opening stage in Beverly Hills, but today was to be the end of it for now as Johnny Cantwell from Jittery Joes finished 2nd on the stage behind another Columbian winner. Magnell finished in 6th, while Max took home 16th. Great job by Max who said he wasn't really feeling it today. The big story was the crybabies from Rock Racing, who having lost the jersey, didn't stick around for one second longer than it took to pack up their shit in their two Escalades and another Cadillac sedan. Even though Rashan Bahati still held the red points jersey and there was a podium presentation just like after every other stage, when announcer Eddy van Guys called for Bahati, everyone saw their caravan heading out of the parking lot post haste. Really classy and professional from the SoCal playaz, NOT! Oh well, the crowd was treated to the podium presentation which also saw Jonathan Page, the noted cyclocrosser pick up 3rd on the stage, and of course the new Maillot Jaune, Jonathan Cantwell from Jittery Joes. With only 4 races left on the docket, and Cantwell seemingly having a better top end gear than Rock's Magnell, it looks as if the coffee boys will be able to hang on to the lead and relegate the Rockers to the runnerup spot for the 2nd consecutive year. Michael Ball says, "YOU'RE FIRED!"
The organizers this year at Superweek have been taking a little heat about the lack of more road races, late starts, shortened races and the like but I have to say they are undertaking a really hard thing, putting on a two week extravaganza and more than 17 different venues, day after day. Superweek is the longest event in the the U.S. and this is the 40th anniversary and I have to give solid props to founder Otto Wenz and the current owners, Mike and Andy Garrison. They have been respectful to critique and assure that small improvements will continue to be made from year to year. Here's hoping the racers don't hold anything against them and keep coming back because Superweek really is a classic and I hope they have at least another 40 years.
See ya, Treck.
The race was blistering fast, probably averaging over 30 MPH for the whole distance. This made things a bit challenging in the feed zone and a neighboring photographer snapped more than a few shots of bottles flying out of the hands of the riders trying to grab feeds from their support crews. Max was cool and collected and bided his time for the finale, sitting in the wheels and moving up towards the end. We were able to get a good handup after only one failed attempt, and I then headed to the finish to check out the action. Crowds 3 deep or more lined the barriers and made a wall of sound as the finish approached. A four man break made it's way clear in the last 30k and looked to lap the field, but they decided to hold back and contest the sprint without the interference of the rest of the peloton. A member of the Columbian nationl track squad took a hard fought sprint and the field dashed in behind for the rest of the lower placings. Max took 23rd out of 140 or so starters, once again in the money and a job well done.
Day 13 was a road race stage at Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. Rock Racing was still defending the lead of Sterling Magnell who has had the yellow jersey since the opening stage in Beverly Hills, but today was to be the end of it for now as Johnny Cantwell from Jittery Joes finished 2nd on the stage behind another Columbian winner. Magnell finished in 6th, while Max took home 16th. Great job by Max who said he wasn't really feeling it today. The big story was the crybabies from Rock Racing, who having lost the jersey, didn't stick around for one second longer than it took to pack up their shit in their two Escalades and another Cadillac sedan. Even though Rashan Bahati still held the red points jersey and there was a podium presentation just like after every other stage, when announcer Eddy van Guys called for Bahati, everyone saw their caravan heading out of the parking lot post haste. Really classy and professional from the SoCal playaz, NOT! Oh well, the crowd was treated to the podium presentation which also saw Jonathan Page, the noted cyclocrosser pick up 3rd on the stage, and of course the new Maillot Jaune, Jonathan Cantwell from Jittery Joes. With only 4 races left on the docket, and Cantwell seemingly having a better top end gear than Rock's Magnell, it looks as if the coffee boys will be able to hang on to the lead and relegate the Rockers to the runnerup spot for the 2nd consecutive year. Michael Ball says, "YOU'RE FIRED!"
The organizers this year at Superweek have been taking a little heat about the lack of more road races, late starts, shortened races and the like but I have to say they are undertaking a really hard thing, putting on a two week extravaganza and more than 17 different venues, day after day. Superweek is the longest event in the the U.S. and this is the 40th anniversary and I have to give solid props to founder Otto Wenz and the current owners, Mike and Andy Garrison. They have been respectful to critique and assure that small improvements will continue to be made from year to year. Here's hoping the racers don't hold anything against them and keep coming back because Superweek really is a classic and I hope they have at least another 40 years.
See ya, Treck.
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