2008 WCA News ArchiveNew Rules Regarding UpgradesUSAC recently made changes to the upgrade system. The new rules are found at: www.usacycling.org/forms/USAC_rulebook.pdf. It should be easier to upgrade from 4 to 3, particularly in road races, where points go 9 deep for fields over 50 and there were some adjustments to the points to accommodate reduced fields. Please consult the rule book on line for clarification. Introducing a New Category for 2008: Masters 3/4A new Masters 3/4 category was proposed by riders and approved at the annual WCA Board meeting in January. All race organizers are encouraged to include this new category in their races as the category will be a part of the Wisconsin Cup. To make room for this new scored category, the riders decided that Wisconsin Cup points will no longer be awarded for the Masters 45+ category. While, if your event schedule has room to include other, none WCA Cup scored, events, you are certainly welcome to include them. You need not feel obligated to include 45+ since it won't be scored, and encouraged to offer this new scored category. In case you were not able to attend the board meeting, the information below was presented at the meeting.
In conclusion, please consider adding this new category to your event. If you have questions, or need clarification, please feel free to contact Gordy Paulson at gordo0106@hotmail.com. Jonathan Page clinic to kick off cyclocross season on August 30thPlanet Bike sponsored racer, Jonathan Page, will be hosting a cyclocross clinic on Sat, Aug 30 at Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, WI (just outside Madison). This clinic is the perfect way to start your 2008 cyclocross season whether you are brand new to cyclocross or looking to move to the next level. Learn from one of the world's best cyclocross racers and get a jump on your competition. A morning clinic will be for those new to cyclocross and the afternoon session will be for experienced racers looking to improve and gain an edge on the competition. The clinic will consist of demonstrations and practice of various cyclocross skills including mounting/dismounting, handling barriers, and other skills needed for cyclocross. Jonathan can also answer questions about training, pre-race prep and other issues you've been eager to learn more about. Jonathan will be assisted by other top local racers on the Planet Bike team. Schedule: Cost for the clinic is $40 and registration information is online at www.madcross.org.
Midwest Cycling Series to Expand in 2009; Additional Racing Events to FollowMilwaukee, WI - The Wisconsin Cycling Series, which spanned a two-day weekend in 2008, is expanding in 2009 into a multi-day format of professionally-produced, high energy cycling events, as the result of a new joint venture between two seasoned Milwaukee-area cyclists and multi-sport event promoters. The Wisconsin Cycling Series this season featured a $30,000 purse shared between the Giro d’Grafton twilight criterium in Grafton and the Harbor Centre Family Day and Bike Race in Sheboygan. In 2009, the Wisconsin Cycling Series will be changing its name to the Midwest Cycling Series to allow for additional events outside of Wisconsin. Lucky Town Events, the partnership between Team Sports President Tom Schuler and Bill Ochowicz, former President of Nova Cycle Sports Foundation, will not only augment the Midwest Cycling Series but will create, execute and promote newly-established high quality cycling and multi-sport events throughout Wisconsin and across the Midwest. "The promoters are very well respected and have always run extremely organized, safe and well managed events,” says Wisconsin Cycling Association Technical Director Heidi Mingesz. Combined, Ochowicz and Schuler have over 60 years experience as cyclists and promoters of multi-sport events that are endorsed and supported by the WCA and United States Cycling Federation. Additional partners and investors include well capitalized business owners and cycling enthusiasts who share Ochowicz and Schuler’s vision of presenting professionally-produced racing events, featuring all race categories, which offer high purses and motivating primes to attract national and international teams. “Tom and I are tapping our passion and knowledge to create races that are well organized, high-energy, safe and family-friendly,” says Ochowicz. “Our cycling events will benefit the riders, spectators, host communities and sponsors.” Continues Ochowicz, “We want to build events that become some of the country’s most respected and anticipated each season…huge purses, coveted primes…just an absolute blast for everyone in attendance.” Additional details of the Midwest Cycling Series expansion complete with schedule as well as new cycling events in 2009 from Lucky Town Events are forthcoming.
$1K Women's Track Event! The Ed Rudolph Velodrome
has a great women's event coming up on Thursday, August 21. The
event, Elaine Nekritz Trophy race was my vision and I created it
because we had so little opportunity where Please pass along this message to any women who have an interest in track cycling. EVENT SUMMARY: Event: Women's Elite Qualifier
Scratch Race Sincerely yours, Imelda March
Used Cycling Clothing, Shoes, Pedals WantedBill Koch and Brandon Gavic started a class to teach young Milwaukee Public School kids to race bikes this summer. (editor's note:Bravo, Bill & Brandon!)The program is now in its second session and we've made great progress; we have a group of close to 10 boys age 11-16 who are digging this cycling thing! And they love to go fast on their bikes! One part of the original intention was to get them a race during Superweek. With some work we were able to reserve a 4 lap race just for them at Whitefish Bay next Sunday! Up till now, they have been TT'ing and racing around the track at Riverside High School in just what you might expect to see kids that age wearing, big ol' baggy gym shorts with their underwear and lunch showing and those baggy jean shorts. Some days, we have their long pants wrapped under their socks, but I'm telling you, several of them sure can ride! So, we need clothes. Do you have any used stuff you've been trying to figure out what to do with and just aren't sure you'll maximize use giving it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army? We are looking for jerseys, shorts and yes, we're even looking for shoes with cleats and pedals! Sizes range from our little 11 year old who is also the second fastest time trialer to a 13 year old with tons of muscle and wearing a 46 or 48 shoe XX wide to our 14 year old who skinny as skinny can be at 6'3"! Thanks for your interest in helping the kids out and if you have a chance to visit us one day during class, we can be found outside and near Riverside High School Monday through Thursday until July 31st between the hours of 1 and 4, but be sure to call me (414.534.4501) or Brandon before heading over so we can tell you where to find us exactly! We typically do some track stuff early and then take them on a ride up or down the Oak Leaf trail and the final Thursday we're headed to the Brewers game! Thanks in advance any stuff you can donate to Milwaukee Junior Cycling Team! Bill and Brandon
Bontrager Sponsors Women's SeriesWCA is proud to announce it's newest sponsor, Bontrager which will be supplying support for women's racing in Wisconsin. Stay tuned for more details.
History of the Washington Park VelodromeMichael Boros is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His expertise of the history of the Washington Park Velodrome has been acknowledged in the Kenosha Newspaper and at the Kenosha Historical Society. Michael is attending Roosevelt University working towards a master degree in Integrated Marketing Communication (MSIMC). He sent WCA his paper on the Washington Park velodrome, and we hope you enjoy reading it. You can contact Michael at Michael.boros@mymail.roosevelt.edu. The Historical Framework of Velodrome Racing from 1924 to 1930: A Kenoshan Perspective
Racing at Kenosha Velodrome to Start May 20Kenosha , WI -- The 2008 schedule for Tuesday Night Racing at the Washington Park Velodrome in Kenosha has been finalized this week. Racing will begin May 20 with two weeks of pre-season races to get the cobwebs out of your track legs. The regular season then begins with Danishes and Miss-n-Outs on June 3. Marquee races again include the Unofficial Keirin Cup on June 17, Mayor's Cup Points Race on July 8, Bob Pfarr Classic during Superweek on July 22, and Kenosha News Junior Trophy Race on Aug 5. The Kenosha Velodrome is a mere 40-minute drive from Milwaukee -- carpool on down Tuesday nights this summer to watch some of the most explosive bike racing around!! Better yet: lash on your toe clips and race! The Kenosha Velodrome Association has track bikes to rent at very reasonable rates. For any questions regarding the track racing schedule or to sponsor track racing at the oldest operating velodrome in the States, contact Nick Holbus, WCA Track Liasson, at [holbus@yahoo.com]. WCA's Gordy Paulson running for USCF Board; Your Vote Needed(if you have a USCF license, you can vote) Each year, USCF holds elections for open seats on its board of trustees. Why is it important to pay attention to these elections? Riders tend to be removed from the governance of our sport, until they realize at some point that they have the talent to compete at the top level but have no idea how the selection process works. How does someone gain a national team selection? What do you need to do to make the Olympic team? What is the mission of USCF? Whey do the men receive more support than the women? Would it not be useful for this to be spelled out clearly for all clubs? Gordy Paulson is a candidate who can ask those questions and speak on behalf of all WCA riders. If history is any precedent, Wisconsin is bound to produce a few more national and world class riders in the coming years and having Paulson on the board would ensure that ALL riders have the knowledge, access and opportunities to race to their capacity. Please log on to usacycling and vote. Thank you.
Team GEARGRINDER Celebrates Road, Mountain Bike and Triathlon VictoriesMilwaukee, WI – Team GEARGRINDER, a cycling and multi-sport team of more than 100 strong, posted several strong finishes from their road, mountain bike and triathlon teams this past weekend.
“Bill and I are going to continue to build on this year, with the goal of extending the Wisconsin Cycling Series to a three or four day event next year,” says Paul Weaver of Sheboygan race host Team GEARGRINDER and co-organizer of the series, referencing Bill Ochowicz, Weaver’s co-organizer and part of Grafton host ISCorp Cycling Team. Weaver continues, “The sponsor support in this first year was tremendous, and we have the prizes to attract some big teams. Extending the scope of the Series will only sweeten the pot for the racers and help generate greater interest among spectators.”
Team GEARGRINDER’s triathletes continued the success with several impressive showings at the High Cliff Triathlons in Sherwood, WI. Among a field of 494 finishers, Team GEARGRINDER’s Jordan Mathes and Rick Rischman took first in their age groups, and respective 4th and 5th places overall in the High Cliff Sprint Triathlon. In the High Cliff Half Marathon Triathlon, three Team GEARGRINDER athletes placed in the top 15 of 431 finishers. Craig Lanza, Alan Mast, and Scott Roehrborn placed 8th, 10th, and 12th, respectively, with Lanza and Roehrborn taking age group seconds and Mast, an age group third. In addition to the High Cliff efforts, Team GEARGRINDER’s Jen Takata won her age group and was the 4th overall female finisher in the Bigfoot Olympic Triathlon in Lake Geneva.
An update on our Brother John OwenJohn was in surgery Friday from 8:00am until 12:50pm, he was up eating and walking by 2:30. He left the hospital Saturday afternoon about 1:30. Monday we went grocery shopping and he was up cooking dinner for everyone. Tuesday he started walking outside and also doing small isometric exercises and stretching. Tuesday the 17th he went in for a postop appointment and they said he could go back to work and that it was okay for him to lift things heavier than a gallon of milk. So he has been doing a lot of walking and stretching. He is anxious to get back out to ride but he is just a little scared of going too far, too soon. Don't let him get away with that, he's an ex-marine and nothing can stop him. You have our permission to yell at him. Who knows when you are going to have the chance to yell at an Official and not get in trouble for it. He went back to work today and is happy to be back. He wants to thank everyone who has called or emailed to offer support or just to wish him well. He says this is the best he has felt in the last two years. He hopes that it keeps getting better. Grace and I left for home Tuesday afternoon, hopefully the next time we come to visit it will be under better circumstances and we can come and see some races. Thank you to everyone from the bottom of our hearts. Tom and Grace
State Road Race RecapSpring Prairie, WI – In spite of torrential rain, lightning, and potential threat oftornadoes, 276 riders persevered to compete in the 2008 Wisconsin State RoadRace Championship two weekends ago. Amazingly, only one pair of the morning races were directly hindered bythe weather, and even those were able to re-start afterwards. The remainder of the day turned outsunny and humid all the way to the exciting end of the pinnacle Pro 1/2 race,which was impressively won solo by Matt Busche (IS-Corp). In addition to starting each race with a soulful, saxversion of the Star-Spangled Banner, Olu Sijuwade also photographed all thenewly-medaled State Champions on the podium. Photos will be posted on www.teambeansandbarley.com withinthe next week. The promoters would like to thank all the riders inattendence for their patience with the adverse physical conditions. Be it parking along the streets,mid-day race delays, or winching out the occasional mud-bogged vehicle, mostriders approached the day with lightness and good humor and generally allowed cars to pass. If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding the raceorganization, course, or general format, please let us know: manager@teambeansandbarley.com. There is one last and sad note to State Roads this year. Fern Welch, the owner of the property that Team Beans & Barley uses for the race parking lot, passed away at his home this past week on 6/13/08 at the age of 92. Although not a cyclist, he has been an advocate for this race in the community for the last 9 years. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and several children. I hope you'll take a moment to consider his selfless contribution to a sport that he had no deep connection to, save for the fact that it happened tobe right in his back yard. If you feel the urge to expressmore, please contact: Schuette-Daniels Funeral
Home Visitation is 4-7PM on Tuesday 6/17/08 with a memorial service to follow.
A Request to Help a Fellow RiderMany in WCA know our Brother John Owen. He is an USA Cycling Official, he helps put on Ironman every year, he also has assisted with Horribly Hilly Hundreds, Trek ride for kids and his favorite ride is the Tour de Cure for diabetes, which unfortunately he has been unable to ride for the last two years. On June 25, 2006, John was hit while riding his bike to work. He has been on a roller-coaster of pain and recovery. He has undergone physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, acupuncture, multiple lumbar and facet joint injections, a single nerve root block injection and neurontin and vicodin by the barrel.. In November he had a double bilateral laminectomy at L4-L5 in his lower back. John is still in pain and will be undergoing a disc replacement surgery June 6th. They are inserting a stainless steel joint at C5-C6 in his cervical spine. It relieves the need for fusion and hopefully he will still have the flexibility to move around. If all goes well, John should be back to work and walking around by June 18th. What we are asking for is volunteers to call John up, get him out for a walk, a ride on the trainer, maybe help him stretch and regain his lost flexibility. People who can help him stay motivated to keep moving and getting back on track. If you are interested feel free to drop him an email jhowen@wisc.edu, you can call him at 608-215-1432. He lives in Madison, WI. Everything that anyone can do will be great for him. Thank you.
June 15th Race Date ChangedPlease note, the Fond du Lac criterium that was originally scheduled for June 15th has been rescheduled for June 29th. Any questions or concerns can be directed to David Haase, dave@attitudesports.com.
State Time Trial Race ReportMay 31st brought out all the Wisconsin TT riders to test their limits on the famous Bong course out in Kansasville, WI. The Wheaton Franciscan Cycling Team hosted a well-organized event thanks to Race Director Brian Carlson and his supporting cast of teammates. Weather was sunny, warm (yes...finally warm!!!), and the winds offered a fair challenge to all the riders as they headed West and North on the backside of the course. Congrats to all the competitors who came out to challenge for the State Champion titles available for all the age and USAC categories. Eric Bean, of the ISCorp Cycling Team put out the fast time of the day and pending new course record with a time of 51:34. In the women’s overall, Julie Foertsch was tops with a time of 57:38. Scott Rosenfield led the junior field with a time of 26:57 in the 20K event. For a full listing of all the 2008 Wisconsin TT champions, please visit here. A fair number of pictures where taken on course by the Team Wheaton photographer, Bob Gregory. You can browse pics and contact Bob if you would like to purchase a high resolution image: http://team-wisconsin.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=8152. Team Wheaton again thanks everyone for coming out and participating at this event! See you next year!!
June 20th Race CancelledDue to permit problems with the city of Glendale, the organizers of the June 20 race in Glendale had to be cancelled. Please let your teammates know.
2008 Madison Practice CritsPractice crits are being help in Madison on Tuesday nights in May and June: May 13, 20; June 3,10, 17, 24. Practice crits are help at Research Park in Madison, WI (the same location as the GDVC crits). Registration starts at 6:00 PM; B-Race starts at 6:30 PM, and A-Race starts at 7:10 PM. USA Cycling license is required to race. One Day and Annual licenses are available on site. Fees are $5 to race, $5 for a one day license, and $60 for an annual license. B-racers that help corner guard for the A-Race get a free race. Helmets required, USCF rules apply. This is a bike community-wide event. Riders are asked to help corner guard or provide some other help sometime during the season. We all must help or the event does not go on. For information call Craig Heywood 608-256-1357 (h) or 608-516-8529 (c).
State Criterium Location ChangedLAPT and Ripon College Cycling Team are pleased to announce that the State Crit Championships will be held in Ripon this year. Those of you who raced in the 90's will remember the very cool racing venue of Ripon College. The course includes moderate hills, six corners and Ripon's Mainstreet. $5K prize list, too! Be sure to check out the hotels and restaurants in town. Ripon is the home of Ripon College, the first college in American to offer a bicycle to incoming students who don't bring a car to campus. Ripon is also home to Rippin' Good COokies and was the site of the "Great Milk Race" back in the 80s, coordinated by none other than Tom Schuler and friends.
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Taking
first in both the Grafton d’ Giro in Grafton, WI, on Saturday,
and the 1st Annual Bank First National Harbor Centre Family Day
and Bike Race in Sheboygan, WI, on Sunday, was Chicago’s Josh
Carter of the ABD/GEARGRINDER Pro Development Team. The Grafton
and Sheboygan races comprised the inaugural year of the Wisconsin
Cycling Series sponsored by Aurora Health Care, which featured riders
of all levels from around the country and offered riders over $12,000
in cash prizes plus primes. Race organizers expect the Wisconsin
Cycling Series weekend to expand in 2009.
In
addition to Carter’s back-to-back wins, Team GEARGRINDER’s
Brian Matter raced in both the mountain bike and road races at the
Superior Bike Fest in Marquette, MI, placing second in each.
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