Jeff Schalk (Trek) and Betsy Shogren claimed wins at this years running of the The Lumberjack 100 in Wellston, Michigan. The contest to capture the coveted Hatchet Trophies on the third stop of this years NUE Series proved to be very different for the two. While Shogren rode in the lead from start to finish, Schalk was forced to do battle up to the final mile.
Race favorites, Betsy Shogren (Cannondale), Karen Potter (mtbmind.com) and Danielle Musto (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) jumped ahead of the women’s field early on and established themselves in that order and only minutes apart after the first 25-mile lap. The top three women’s positions did not change for the remainder of the race. Shogren claimed victory with a time of 8:20, a new women’s course record, while Potter chased close behind to finish in 8:26. Danielle Musto, her knee bloodied from a near race ending crash on lap 2 was able to finish in third place 8:46.
Women's Podium Karen Potter, Betsy Shogren, Danielle Musto (Left t0 Right)In the men’s open class Jeff Schalk (Trek), Chris Eatough (Trek), Mike Simonson (Gary Fischer 29er) and Christian Tanguy (Team Fraser) formed a lead group in the first 10 miles and pulled well away from the rest of the field. With Schalk at the front the four stayed together through 50 miles until rising temperature, humidity and Schalk’s blistering pace setting took their tole on Simonson, who lost contact with the group. Little changed for the remaining three over the next 25 miles. Going into the final lap Eatough was the next to lose contact with Schalk and Tanguy. With the finish line less than a lap away and the selection down to just two, Tanguy attacked Schalk repeatedly, pulling well ahead of the Trek rider at one point. But in the end it was Schalk who had the better legs, attacking Tanguy in the last mile and claiming a hard fought victory with a time of 6:48:06. Tanguy finished close behind at 6:48:36. Rounding out the top three was Eatough, who stopped the clock at 6:57. Simonson would cross the line for fourth at 7:17, followed close behind by Derek Graham (Bissel).
Men's podium
The single speed class was dominated from start to finish by Gerry Pflug (Speedgoat/Spk/Salsa). Gerry road to a new Lumberjack single speed record (7:17:33) and also managed to cross the line only seconds behind Mike Simonson for fifth place overall. Rounding out the men’s single speed podium was Roger Masse (Trek) at 7:56 and Joe Kedrowski (Founders Ales) at 8:04.
Complete Results at: http://www.raceservices.com/results.htm
The single speed class was dominated from start to finish by Gerry Pflug (Speedgoat/Spk/Salsa). Gerry road to a new Lumberjack single speed record (7:17:33) and also managed to cross the line only seconds behind Mike Simonson for fifth place overall. Rounding out the men’s single speed podium was Roger Masse (Trek) at 7:56 and Joe Kedrowski (Founders Ales) at 8:04.
Complete Results at: http://www.raceservices.com/results.htm
Danielle Musto, battered, crosses the finish for third
Jeff Schalk takes win #2 of the NUE series
Schalk leads the front group
Danielle Musto shows off her battle scars after the Lumberjack 100
Written by: Scott Chambers
Photos by: Jack Kunnen
Women:
1. Betsy Shogren (Cannondale) 8.20
2. Karen Potter 8.26
3. Danielle Musto (Kenda/Tomac) 8.46
Men:
1. Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op) 6.48.06
2. Chris Tanguy (Team Fraser) 6.48.36
3. Chris Eatough (Trek Racing Co-Op) 6.57.18
4, Mike Simonson (Gary Fisher 29er Crew) 7.17.02
5, Derek Graham (Bissel) 7.18.18
6, Greg Kuhn (Team Fraser)
7, Jason Lumis
8, Jon Meyers
9, Robert Herriman
10, Garth Prosser (Cannondale)
