Treadfest: Lake Geneva, WI- WORS #10

Lalonde and Eppen race a perfect tenth
By Claire Cannon

Mark Lalonde (Planet Bike / GT / T6) went on to win the men's race.
Photo by Extreme Photography

Most people don’t travel to a four-star resort for the dust, but when racers in the Wisconsin Off Road Series descended on The Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, WI this weekend for Treadfest, the dust was really flying. Warm, dry weather in September left the technical, twisting singletrack dry and loose, and local organizers Club Tread pulled out all the stops with added sections of technical riding for the experts. With only a week to go before the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, the tenth race in the 2009 WORS series drew multiple regional stars, including Kim and Brian Eppen (Mercy / Specialized) of Iowa City, and Ryan Baumann (Trek / Livestrong) of Green Bay to line up with series regulars.

Mark Lalonde and Brian Matter duke it out again

“I wasn't sure how my legs were going to respond after a tough couple of weeks of training,” said Planet Bike racer Mark Lalonde. “It was hot and sure to be a long race.”

The five-lap Belgioioso Men’s Pro / Cat 1 race began with a series of steep climbs that sent racers up and down the ski hill multiple times before entering the woods. With position in the singletrack critical for success, the pace was blazing off the start. Current WORS series leader Nathan Guerra (Mr. Tree) led the charge, followed closely by Mike Phillips (Adventure 212 / Specialized), Mark Lalonde (Planet Bike / GT / T6), Brian Matter (Gear Grinder), Brian Eppen, and Ryan Baumann.

“Mike [Phillips] blasted off the line and I stuck fairly close going into the singletrack until I clipped my bar end and went down,” said Lalonde. “Nathan [Guerra] and I traded off a little but Mike kept pulling away.”

Phillips had a gap of nearly a minute in the early laps of the race, with Nathan Guerra and Mark Lalonde riding in hot pursuit, followed by Brian Matter and Brian Eppen.

“The course was relentless with three climbs right off the bat followed by the most technical singletrack on the WORS circuit,” said Brian Matter. “The dry conditions made for zero visibility with all the dust if you were following someone.”

The Belgioioso Series Pro / Cat 1 men head up the first lead-out
climb. Nathan Guerra and Mike Phillips were off the front (not shown),
followed by (left to right) Ryan Baumann (Trek / Livestrong), Brian
Matter (Gear Grinder, #10), Brian Eppen (Mercy-Specialized, #249), and
Mark Lalonde (Planet Bike / GT / T6, #6). Photo by Extreme Photography

Matter and Eppen were back in contact with Lalonde and Guerra by mid-race. “The Brians caught up by lap 3, when I pulled most of the lap,” said Lalonde. “Nathan put in a good ascent of the hill on lap four and pulled us through a quick lap, cutting Mike's advantage in half. Then I put in a good dig up the climbs with Brian Matter in tow. We seemed to be gaining quickly on Mike Phillips. I could smell blood and not so gracefully hammered for half a lap before catching on.”

By the end, it was Mark Lalonde and Brian Matter riding together in the lead. With both Lalonde and Matter set for the upcoming showdown during cyclocross season, a run-up made the difference at Treadfest.

“I lost Brian on a steep, loose climb in the back singletrack as we both had to dismount,” said Lalonde. “Luckily, my legs didn't seize up and I was able to hold on for the win.”

“All in all it was another great race and perfect prep for Chequamegon next weekend!” said Matter, who rolled in just seconds behind Lalonde.

Mike Phillips held on for third, and Nathan Guerra took fourth. In his first year of racing as a Cat 1, Darrin Braun (Adventure 212 / Specialized) turned in another impressive ride to claim fifth, and WORS alum and Superweek “Race the Lake” winner Ryan Baumann finished sixth.

Kim Eppen rides to another WORS victory

Kim Eppen (Mercy-Specialized) led the women's Belgioioso Pro / Cat 1
race. Photo by Extreme Photography

Mercy-Specialized racer Kim Eppen has suggested her greatest strength as a cyclist is as “a stoker on the tandem with [her husband] Brian - pedaling hard and not having to worry about anything else. “ And it’s no secret that the two Eppens have quite the kick on their tandem. They finished 14th overall at this year’s Ore to Shore race, placing along with the top Pro men. At Treadfest, however, it was Kim Eppen in the drivers seat. After following WORS Overall Series leader Abigail Strigel (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt) up the lead out climb, Eppen took the reigns and motored to another win.

“This was our first time racing in Lake Geneva,” said Eppen after her race. “The course was challenging with the open climbs right off the start followed by long sections of tight technical single track with varied terrain. There was a good-sized group of competitive women who showed up to get down and dirty on the dry and dusty course. The race seemed long for a typical XC race, but was good preparation for upcoming Chequamegon, where once again I'll be chilling out on the back of the tandem while Brian hauls me around the course.”

“It was really fun to race with Kim Eppen,” said second place finisher Abby Strigel. “The race course was so awesome; they did a great job.” Eppen also had some kind words for the WORS Series and Club Tread. “The WORS organization, race organizers and volunteers did an awesome job with the event, from marking the course to having course marshals directing racers to handing up water.”

Robin William (Mercy-Specialized) of Iowa City, IA claimed third place in the women’s race, followed by Lisa Krayer (Wildside Velo Club) of North Freedom, WI. Meghan Korol (Twin Six) completed the top five women.

WORS Series contested down to the line

As befits a series that began with a succession of sprint upsets, the 2009 WORS Overall looks to be a race to the very end. Favorites for the top spot include Brian Matter and brothers Mark and Jesse Lalonde, but “new blood” Nathan Guerra and Darrin Braun are marking their wheels and with two races to go it’s anyone’s game. Meanwhile, the final three spots in the ladies top five are also in hot contention. For complete results, visit wors.org. The next race in the series will be held at Bear Paw Outdoor on October 4 at the Wolf River Rendezvous.