For the first time in nearly a decade, the Midwest will host a Pro Cross-Country Tour (Pro XCT) mountain bike race on June 26-27, 2010. The Subaru Cup, presented by Trek, will welcome the USA Cycling Pro XCT to Nordic Mountain, outside Wautoma, WI.
Brian Matter leads out a huge men's field at the 2009 Subaru Cup (photo by: John Wrycza)
The Subaru Cup is the annual mega-event of the Wisconsin Off Road Series, and is one of only five Pro XCT events in America during the 2010 racing season. Other venues on the Pro XCT Tour include the Sea Otter Classic, in Monterey, California and the Mellow Johnny’s Classic, hosted on Lance Armstrong’s Rancho de Juan Pelota in Dripping Springs, TX.
North America’s top male and female racers, including those who represented the United States and Canada in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, will compete at the Subaru Cup to qualify for the 2010 National Championships and 2012 Olympics. The race at Nordic Mountain will offer a real taste of Midwest mountain biking, with wooded singletrack, fast descents and short, steep climbs.
WORS will offer a large prize list at the Subaru Cup, with an increased size and depth of awards totaling nearly $7000 for top finishers in the Pro XCT. Cash prizes will be awarded over 30 places in the Pro men’s field and over 20 places for the Pro women. A Pro Short Track, presented by Wheaties Fuel, will also offer racers the chance to compete for cash payouts. In total, nearly $10,000 in cash prizes will be distributed. WORS is able to substantially increase the size and depth of the prize field above the requirements of the International Cycling Union thanks to the generous support of committed WORS sponsors, including Title Sponsor, Subaru, Subaru Cup Presenting Sponsor, Trek Bicycle Corporation, and Impreza Pro Short Track Presenting Sponsor, Wheaties Fuel.
Now in it’s 19th season, WORS is America’s largest state mountain bike racing series. The series has an average attendance of over 650 racers for each of the twelve WORS races held throughout Wisconsin. The first priority of the WORS Series is “to create access to fun, competitive mountain biking for as many individuals as possible,” states Series Director Don Edberg. In addition to the Pro races, the Subaru Cup will host a full slate of amateur racing with ability categories and age classes for everyone. The Subaru Cup will also serve as the first USA Cycling Midwest Regional Championships, which will crown champions in all age categories and ability levels as “Fastest in the Midwest”.
“WORS continues to focus on creating the ultimate environment for as many mountain bikers as possible to explore their potential through safe, fun, friendly competition,” states Edberg. “Whether you are looking for a great individual race to motivate your riding or want to immerse yourself, family and friends in the complete social and competitive experience that is WORS, we have you covered.”
Queen of Midwest racing, Jenna Rinehart, is unstoppable racing in Wisconsin (photo by: John Senkerik)
Outstanding spectator turnout is a hallmark of events hosted by the Wisconsin Off Road Series. In 2009, the Subaru Cup drew over 800 spectators during a weekend of racing. WORS Series Director Don Edberg expects an increase in spectator turnout and in racer participation in 2010. The Subaru Cup Pro XCT course is of the modern World Cup model, approximately 4 miles in length. Over an area of 60 acres, it winds in on itself several times to provide spectators convenient access and numerous viewing opportunities. From the all-new “spectator central”, spectators at the 2010 Subaru Cup can cheer for their favorite racers on multiple climbs and technical descents every lap.
The Subaru Cup will be a major cycling industry gathering of the summer for the Midwest and include demos, displays, and free gifts for those in attendance. WORS and WORS sponsors will offer a full slate of festival activities including tours of the race course, wake boarding, onsite camping, food and entertainment.
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Santa Ynez Kenda Cup Preview
The fourth round of the Kenda Cup West Series, presented by Specialized rolls into beautiful Santa Ynez Valley this weekend.
Current series leader, Sid Taberlay, will be looking to score more points this weekend (photo by: John Mullen)
Nestled just north of the Danish town of Solvang, the Santa Ynez Valley venue has hosted several National events over the years, and this will be the second year that the Kenda Cup West Series returns.
Additionally, this weekend’s race will also serve as the second round of the H2O Overdrive West Regional Triple Crown for Pro riders. The west coast regional triple- crown format is being run as a beta test for possible implementation across the country for 2011, with the three disciplines factored into the series format. The goal is to target more regional and local pro’s by offering good payout, with stronger competition in their respective region.
The Santa Ynez XC course is a 9.1 mile loop and offers riders nearly 1200 feet of climbing per lap. The course is deceivingly hard, with short, steep climbs and fast sinewy descents. A mixture of double track, single track and fire roads, set against green rolling hills and vineyards, makes the venue a favorite among racers. Recent rains have left the cross country course tacky and in good condition for Saturday and Sunday’s events.
The racecourse as it winds through the California hills (photo: Trailwatch.net)
Current Kenda Cup West Series men’s Pro leader Sho-Air/Specialized Sid Taberlay is slated to attend, while the women’s Pro series leader is Pua Sawicki, fresh off a podium at the Fontana City National two weeks ago, looks to make it a go for the weekend. Trek/Canada’s Adam Morka makes the trip this weekend to compete, as well as the southwest top local and regional pro competitors.
Saturday’s schedule starts off with Junior racing at noon, followed by the H2O Overdrive Cross Country men and women’s event at 2:30pm
Sunday starts of with CAT 1 racers in the morning, followed by CAT 2/3 riders in the late morning.
Pro’s return later in the afternoon with the Kenda Women’s Pro Short Track at 2pm, followed by the Pro men at 2:30pm.
Pro Triple Crown competitors then finish the weekend’s final race with the Super D at 3:15pm
