Crystal Lake Classic, WIsconsin Off-Road #2: Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Another sprint finish in the Wisconsin Off Road Series
Written by Claire Cannon

Photo by: J.Wolf

Last Sunday, May 31, at the WORS Crystal Lake Classic, 2008 WORS Overall Series leader Jesse Lalonde (Gary Fisher 29r/T6/BKB; #1, above left) again sprinted to the finish line, this time with 2004 Triple Crown winner and 2008 USA Cyclocross National Team member Brian Matter (Gear Grinder; #123, above right). After a grueling 33-mile race, the two finished nearly 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the Belgioioso Pro / Cat 1 field. While Lalonde set the pace on a rigid singlespeed for much of the race, Matter was first to cross the line. "Crystal Lake has some of the best technical mountain biking in the Midwest”, said Matter. “It was great to do battle with Jesse right to the finish line."

Brian Matter (Gear Grinders; above) won WORS Crystal Lake Classic. Photo J Wolf.

Photo by: Mark Schindel

Mark Lalonde (#6, above), who won WORS Iola Bump & Jump on May 17 and rode with the two leaders through most of the race, came back from a flat late in the race to secure 5th place at Crystal Lake.

Abigail Strigel of Madison, WI (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt; 1:34:22) put the hurt on the Belgioioso Pro / Cat 1 women’s field, smoothly powering to a 5-minute gap on the rest of the field (1:45:48). Second and third place went to Holly Liske of Madison (Hayes Disc Brakes; 1:50:38) and Andrea Matter of Sheboygan (Gear Grinder; 1:54:08).

Abigail Strigel (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt) won WORS Crystal Lake Classic. Photo by Extreme Photography

Pro / Cat 1 Men on the start line at WORS Crystal Lake Classic, May 31, 2009.  Photo by Amy Dykema.

For complete results, see http://wors.org. The next race of the 2009 Wisconsin Off Road Series will be held on June 7 in Wausau, WI at the Trek Big Ring Classic.

Jesse Lalonde leading Brian Matter and Mark Lalonde at the WORS Crystal Lake Classic, May 31, 2009.  Photo by Extreme Photography