An average size field at any WORS event puts most other races to shame
(Photo by Amy Dykema)
The Wisconsin Off Road Series began the 2009 season this weekend at the Iola Bump & Jump, hosted in the wooded singletrack of the Iola Winter Sports Club outside Iola, WI. Competitors rode multiple laps of a 5-mile loop, which was heavy on climbing in the first half and featured sandy wooded singletrack throughout. Massive ski jump towers loomed over the sides of a deep jump bowl, through which the course crossed several times, allowing spectators to catch a great view of the fast-paced race and changing splits between racers.
Brothers Mark and Jesse LaLonde tear through the Iola course
(Photo by: Keith Wolf)
An early crash in the sandy singletrack split the leaders from a chase group in the men’s 5-lap Belgioioso Cat 1 / Pro Men’s race. In the end, Mark Lalonde (Planet Bike/GT/T6) outsprinted last year’s undefeated WORS series champion, and brother, Jesse Lalonde (Gary Fisher 29r/t6/BKB) at the line for the win, with a time of 1:38:44. Travis Woodruff of Tucson, AZ (Adventure 212/ Specialized) crossed the line just 49 seconds later, holding off Brian Eppen of Iowa City, IA (Mercy / Specialized) by a single second to take third place.
Iowa City rider Kim Eppen powers to the top spot in the Pro race
(Photo by: John Wrycza)
Kim Eppen of Iowa City, IA (Mercy Specialized), dominated the 4-lap women’s Ca1 / Pro race from the start, crossing the line almost 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the field (1:29:38). Second place went to 2008 WORS Overall Champion Abigail Strigel of Madison, WI (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt; 1:34:22), followed by Rebecca Cleveland of Green Bay (Bike Hub; 1:35:15).
The Cat 2 Comp men were led by Cody Goettl (1:26:44), while the Junior X races were won by Ryan Voss (1:29:58) and Murphykate Montee (1:46:40) in 4 laps. For complete results, see http://wors.org. The next race of the 2009 Wisconsin Off Road Series will be held on May 31 in Rhinelander, WI where the competition is expected to heat up along the shores of Crystal Lake.
Report by: Claire Cannon
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