The Red Jacket Cycling Team of Houghton played host to the Keweenaw Cup for the fourth time this weekend, with over 50 racers testing their skill and stamina on a pair of gut-wrenching, brain-rattling and lung-searing courses over two days. In addition to the normal challenges one faces in 'cross, both races were held under gale force winds. Though the normally ubiquitous yellow caution tape was mostly absent as a result, barriers, a sand pit, run-up and plenty of flags left no doubt that cyclocross racing had returned to Copper Harbor. The race marked the fourth and fifth stops on the seven-race UPCROSS series presented by Blackrocks Brewery of Marquette.

Race number one of the two-race series – the Downtown Hoedown – was contested in Copper Harbor under the deafening roar of surf battering the ancient Lake Superior coastline. Under normal conditions, the dead-flat terrain would have been rocket fast. Largely exposed, however, the course forced riders to wage battle against the wind across a barren field. Under the watchful eyes of a pack of ravenous otters, racers made their way around a pond before eventually gaining shelter from the relentless gales at the edge of a forest. Then, coming off a stretch of pavement at full-speed, a double sand-pit with barrier broke the rhythm. Spectators in the pit zone were treated to a chicane and double barrier before competitors were jetisoned from the stadium area on a short stretch of singletrack with the wind at their backs.

In the first race of the day – men's C – Andy Perry was first to cross the line, making him the man to beat for overall points for the weekend. Mike Brokenshire of Troy, MI notched a second place finish and Red Jacket rider Bruce Pletka claimed third.

In the women's B race on Saturday, Melanie Watkins – competing in her first race as a Red Jacket – took the win. Amanda Groscost, who entered the weekend with a firm hold on the women's B class in the UPCROSS series, finished second with Tara Laase McKinney. hot on her heels.

Riding his snow bike, Matt Belic had a clear advantage in the sand pit, his ultra-wide tires able to float over the sand. Ian Marks of Houghton worked hard to maintain contact, but came up short and finished a strong second. Not far behind was Andrew Rickhauer, who ended the day in third place in the men's B division.

Nicole Alexander (Ace) took her third win of the season, outpacing Christina Bennett (Ace) and Amy Michaels (unattached) in the women's A contest. Alexander's first place finish further extended her already healthy lead in the overall UPCROSS standings, though the tenacious Bennett is never to be underestimated.

Forced to start in the second row for lack of a call-up, Tyler Gauthier of Culver's Racing wasted no time in moving through the ranks in the A race. As his competition struggled to keep their bikes upright, Gauthier sliced through wind, quickly establishing a sizable lead, only Tyler Jenema (Mafia) able to hold his wheel. Eventually, Jenema faded as well, falling back to join Ryan Tervo (Dorfblick / Flyer Cycles) of Houghton. The pair worked together to maintain their lead over the remainder of the fragmented field. Normally the stronger of the pair, the race was Jenema's to win. A botched remount on the final barrier was his undoing, however, and Tervo rode in for second behind Gauthier.

Sunday morning, race organizers were again greeted by a howling north wind off of Lake Superior that made the previous day's gales seem like a gentle breeze. With the wind, the Top of the World Smackdown at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge was certain to be a punishing affair. Making heavy use of paved golf cart paths and smooth fairways, racers would be able to fly with the wind and curse the gales in equal shares. A short run-up, prefaced by a muddy dip and barrier, forced riders to dismount just before turning into the wind for the final time on each lap.

Mike Rust of Rochester, MN edged Mike Brokenshire of Troy, MI for the win in the men's C division. The previous day's winner, Andy Perry hung on for third.

In the women's B race, Tara Laase McKinney took her first UPCROSS victory. Janet Koistenen and Deana Koscielny rounded out the top three.

Andrew Rickhauer returned to the top of the podium with a strong showing in the men's B contest. Matt Belic, his fat tires no match for the paved sections of the course, took second. In a tight race for third, Jon Kangas denied Jason Jilbert podium glory.

Suffering misfortune at the run-up, Nicole Alexander saw her lead disappear as she worked to remount her chain after crashing into a barrier midway through the women's A race. All is fair in love and cross though, and Christina Bennett carried on, holding on for the win. Alexander's second place put the pair in a tie for the overall Keweenaw Cup title. Melanie Watkins, motivated by her win in the women's B race on Saturday, moved up to the A class and finished a solid third.

In the men's A race, it was again Tyler Gauthier. Within the first lap, he had already left his mark on the field, leaving behind him a wake of shattered dreams and broken spirits. The only racers able to come close to matching his pace were Tyler Jenema and Trevor Olson. The former suffered flat midway through the race and retired from the contest; Olson, of Rochester, MN, rode strongly and finished second. Ryan Tervo, the only other rider not to have been lapped by Gauthier besides Olson, claimed third. Mac Brennan of Houghton, who entered the weekend at the top of the UPCROSS standings, took fourth. The Cinderella story in the A class was Brian Geshel of Marquette – currently unattached, but for how much longer – who took fifth, his best finish yet in only his first year of cx racing.

With a tie for the overall championship in the women's A class between Nicole Alexander and Christina Bennett, the pair agreed to the traditional one-legged tie-breaker race. Bennett got off to a strong start, only to come out of her pedal; Alexander rode on for her second overall title. Third place in the A class went to Amy Michaels.

Tyler Guathier, a pair of wins under his belt, was crowned men's champion in the A division. Ryan Tervo, a second and a third place on the weekend, took second. Surprising even himself, Colby Lash walked away with third place overall.

The race organizers would like to thank everyone for making the trek to Copper Harbor. It's a long way to travel, but they hope it was worth your while.

Complete 2011 Keweenaw Cup Results
Photos by Chris Schmidt
Photos by Adam Griffis
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