Rinehart and House win at WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge

Written by: Claire Cannon
Nearly 700 racers and as many spectators braved crisp fall temperatures at the season finale of the 2009 Wisconsin Off Road Series, held this weekend in Sheboygan, WI. Jenna Rinehart of Mankato, MN (Specialized) and Cole House of Oneida, WI (BMC Racing) took home the top honors, and substantial payouts, from the Wigwam MTB Challenge Belgioioso Pro/Cat 1 races.

Cole House (BMC Racing) powers up the 'Equalizer' hill. House went on
to win at Sheboygan. Photo by Extreme Photography.

The men’s field blazed off the start line to contend for a Sprint Prime that was awarded nearly a quarter mile up the road. In that first sprint, Cole House surged to a 15-second gap, collected the prize, and hit the singletrack ahead of a chase group that included Sheboygan racer Tristan Schouten (Planet Bike), Adventure 212 / Specialized teammates Mike Phillips and Darrin Braun, and Nathan Guerra (Mr. Tree Racing). House never looked back, finishing 40 seconds ahead of the chase after 5 laps of the course.

Jenna Rinehart (Specialized) rode to the win in Sheboygan at the WORS
Wigwam MTB Challenge. Photo by Danny Marchewka.

The ladies set a more conservative pace and stayed together on the leadout until Abigail Strigel (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt) and Meghan Korol (Twin Six) challenged Rinehart for the Prime near the line. Rinehart held them off and rode ahead into the singletrack, along with fellow Minnesota racer Kyia Anderson (Hidden Bay Sports). Wisconsin gave chase with Strigel, Korol, Lori Sable (Twin Six), Lisa Krayer (Wildside Velo Club) and Sheboygan racer Andrea Matter (Gear Grinder) in close pursuit. Strigel eventually gapped the rest of the Wisconsin women and caught Anderson. Anderson’s bike suffered a mechanical in the second lap, forcing her to drop out. With Rinehart out of reach, Strigel held off Lori Sable and Andrea Matter throughout the race to claim second.

Opportunities to shake things up in the men’s race

With the WORS Series leaders Brian Matter and Mark Lalonde off racing cyclocross in Cincinnati, the opportunity existed for several riders to shake up the remaining series overall points. Mike Phillips, Nathan Guerra and Darrin Braun were all in contention for the remaining top spots.

“The field was smaller than in previous years because some of the ‘fast guys’ didn't make it,” explained Mike Phillips. “Without Brian Matter, Jesse and Marko Lalonde, and Doug Swanson, the race was more wide open than before. I knew going into it that Cole had a good chance, and Tristan as well, because we all rode together last weekend [at the WORS Wolf River Rendezvous]. I thought if I played my cards right, I could possibly get the win, but I would have to be patient. Unfortunately Cole had a 20 second gap into the first section of singletrack and that was pretty much it! Tristan and I worked together to bring him back all race, but only managed to match his pace. The course was super fast and we were all basically riding the same speed, so 20 seconds might as well have been 20 minutes.”

In the end, Tristan Schouten would claim second place with Phillips finishing a close third.

Sheboygan racer Tristan Schouten (Planet Bike / GT) races along the
quarry at WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge. Schouten finished second at
Sheboygan. Photo by Extreme Photography.

“It came down to Tristan and I fighting for 2nd,” said Phillips. “On the last lap, he got in front before the ‘Equalizer’ hill and I thought I'd wait until the field before the finish to challenge, but it was shorter than I remembered and I couldn't get by.”

Fourth place finisher Darrin Braun of Butler, WI raced at Sheboygan last year on a singlespeed in the Cat 2 field. Braun has made the big jump to Cat 1 this year look easy. He finishing fourth at Sheboygan, is fourth overall in the WORS Series standings, and is currently the second ranked Cat 1 male in the nation for Mountain XC. The transition to a geared bike, which Braun has been riding during the latter half of this season, has seemed less smooth. In his first two laps at Sheboygan this weekend, Braun found himself stranded in his most difficult gears. He lost touch with the leaders, and struggled on the climbs.

“Basically, I blew myself up trying to chase back on,” said Braun. “I’ve been trying to hang with the lead group all season. That was my goal for this race, and I wanted to be up there and contend. Go for the gusto. I couldn’t shift and tried to make it with one gear. I’m a singlespeeder, right? But the gear I was pushing was just huge – I had to run up the ‘Equalizer’ in my first lap. By the time [teammate] Chris Peariso caught up to me, my legs were cooked. He coached me through, and the problem with the shifting began to work itself out. We rode together until the finish.”

Braun also had props for the course. “Last year, the course at Sheboygan was kind of a surprise for me, because it rips. I figured those trails were in a park in the middle of town, so how good could they be? But it’s just a totally awesome course.”

“The course at Sheboygan is always one of my favorites,” agreed Mike Phillips. “It just never lets up and you're always on the gas! You can hammer through all the corners, no brakes, just on the edge of control. Super fun! And the new root climb right before the Equalizer was a challenge every lap.”

Mike Phillips (Adventure 212 / Specialized) rides off a log jump at
WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge in Sheboygan. Phillips finished third at
Sheboygan and in the 2009 WORS Series Overall. Photo by Danny
Marchewka.

The Sheboygan race also boasts a large spectator turnout and bonuses from the race organizers. In addition to the initial Sprint Prime, everyone who rode to the top of the ‘Equalizer’ hill collected a crisp, five-dollar bill. A huge group of screaming spectators lined the steep climb throughout the day, and near-perfect conditions for racers this year meant they were rewarded with a great show.

“The fans were great as always, and with the big payouts there's always an extra motivation to hurt a bit more, ” said Phillips. “One thing I won't forget is seeing a guy go sailing into the river. Man that must've been cold!”

Jenna Rinehart powered to the win while Wisconsin gave chase

“I look forward to this race every season,” said Specialized racer Jenna Rinehart. “The course is so much fun and always has great spectators. I'm happy with my race and had a fun time.”

Rinehart is wrapping up her greatest season to date, which includes a top 10 finish at Sea Otter, the WORS Subaru Cup stage race win, and two dominant victories at Triple Crown races Ore to Shore and the Chequamegon 40. She seemed untouchable at Sheboygan, crossing the line over 8 minutes ahead of the chase.

“Kyia Anderson and I broke away from the field and were riding together for the first lap”, said Rinehart. “Starting the second lap I had a small gap but she closed it once we got back into the single track. About a quarter of the way through the 2nd lap all of a sudden I noticed she wasn't on my wheel anymore so I just kept pushing the pace as hard as I could. I later found out Kyia had broken her frame and had to drop out.”

Abigail Strigel (Mafia Racing / Pabst / Felt) rides the 'roots of
evil' at WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge in Sheboygan. Strigel finished
second at Sheboygan and first in the 2009 WORS Series Overall. Photo
by Julie Wolf.

Abby Strigel caught up to Anderson before the trouble began. “We were having fun, but then her bike started to make weird noises and the frame broke.” Mechanicals and mishaps hampered several riders in the women’s field, including Lisa Krayer, who broke her chain while riding in third place and the author, who fell in the river before crossing the line in fifth.

When asked about her own race, Strigel said simply, “it hurt. A lot.”

“Sheboygan is one of the best races of the year,” continued Strigel. “The course is really fast and super fun. There is always really good competition there, and [local organizers] Fat Kats do an excellent job making it really fun for the spectators, and racers.”

And early morning view of the WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge Expo area.
Photo by Danny Marchewka.

“The Sheboygan course rocks”, agreed third place finisher Lori Sable. “It's a true mountain bike course with a little bit of everything; a log jump, river crossing, evil roots, tight, twisting single track and, of course, the infamous equalizer climb. What a blast to race on. And, even better, Andrea [Matter] and I were working together the entire race. We saw Abby just up ahead and were attempting to close the gap but she's an intense competitor and we never were able to do it.”

WORS Series overalls contended to the finish line at Sheboygan

While WORS official point totals will appear on Wednesday, by unofficial calculations Brain Matter (Gear Grinder) and Abby Strigel had their WORS series wins on lock down before the Sheboygan race even began. In fact, both Matter and second place overall finisher Mark Lalonde (Planet Bike), missed the final WORS race of the season to represent Wisconsin in the 2009 Cincinnati Cyclocross Festival. Incidentally, Lalonde and Matter finished in the top five of a stacked professional field on Saturday, prompting VeloNews to start calling Lalonde “the season’s new revelation”.

Back in Sheboygan, Andrea Matter edged out Cat 1 newcomer and current number one ranked Cat 1 Mountain XC female in the nation, Meghan Korol in the final race of the season. Matter and Korol end the season tied for the fifth place podium spot in the women’s field, and will receive identical prize packages. Lisa Krayer retained fourth place overall despite her mechanical at Sheboygan, and Lori Sable surged into second place ahead of Holly Liske (Hayes Disc Brakes).

Mike Phillips made the biggest jump in the men’s rankings to claim the third step, beneath Mark Lalonde. Darrin Braun and Nathan Guerra completed the top five men for the 2009 season.

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.