As U.P. cyclocrossers recover and lick their wounds from this past weekend's doubleheader in Copper Harbor, nefarious forces are already conjuring up evil plans for the Halloween edition of the ChocoCross cx race, scheduled for this SATURDAY in Harvey (Marquette).

According to a press release issued by event organizer and host Tom Mahaney (D.S. of the Chocolay Ace Cycling Team), "The mud pit has been tilled and raked and is getting plenty of moisture for a very sticky, gooey and spooky concentrate of wheel-sucking muck. The course has numerous viewing stations for the fans to cheer on their brave heroes. The Belgium kitchen has a tantalizing affair planned for appetites and thirst."

As always, the event will be held at the Mahaney residence / Cycling Haus (1175 Ortman Road in Harvey, on the east side of Marquette). If not familiar with the area, please click the address for a map. Parking is available at the Cycling Haus until 12:30 p.m. Racers and spectators may also park at the Cherry Creek School, located next door, anytime and ride/walk over.

Capping off the end of another great cycling season, Copper Harbor was the site of the third annual Keweenaw Cup cyclocross race presented by Houghton’s Red Jacket Cycling Team. Over sixty racers from Duluth to Skandia participated in the two-day event, which again featured venues in downtown Copper Harbor and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Contested over short courses approximately a mile in length for a fixed period of time, typically 30 to 45 minutes depending on gender and ability, the races are fast, furious and exciting down to the wire.

Not only were racers competing for top honors in the Keweenaw, but, as the Cup is part of the seven-race UPCROSS points series, racers were also looking to collect points for the season-long series which starts in late September and concludes with the U.P. State Cyclocross Championships in November.

The Keweenaw Cup opened with the Downtown Hoedown in the center of Copper Harbor. Sending racers on a flat, meandering, and obstacle-laden course featuring chicanes, barriers, singletrack, sand trap, and an off-camber turn with potential water hazard, the Cup got off to a blazing start under sunny skies.

In the women’s B race, Melanie Kueber of Houghton, competing in her first UPCROSS event, prevailed, outriding cyclocross veteran Mary Connor of Marquette. Red Jacket rider Tammi Lehto, fighting a cold, held on for third.

A strong field was on hand for the women’s A race, though with the notable absence of Andrea Pernsteiner, the 2009 Keweenaw Cup champion, Lining up as an unknown was Duluth rider Kari Gates, who raced strongly the week before at Bay Cross in Ashland, Wisc., where U.P. reconnaissance operatives spotted her skill and speed on the bike. How she would match up against her U.P. counterparts was yet to be seen, however. Nicole Alexander, UPCROSS series leader with two straight wins under her belt, was looking for the hat trick and was the rider to watch. Not to be underestimated was Marquette racer Christina Bennett, who is capable of riding away from the field on a good day. Following a fast start and numerous lead changes between the three contenders early in the race, Gates settled into a groove, with Alexander sitting on her wheel in a game of cat and mouse. With one lap to go in the seven-lap contest, Alexander made her move and left Gates gasping for air. The Duluth rider finished a strong second, showing that she was going to be a factor for the weekend championship. Bennett took home the bronze for the day.

The men’s C race was a contest between the Dr. Bruces: Bruce Harvey and Bruce Pletka, both Red Jacket riders from Houghton. After seven laps of racing, Bruce H. took the win.

Rocking the singlespeed in the men’s B race was series leader Jeremy Pletka of Marquette. Although his perfect season was shattered two weeks ago by a flat tire at the River Park UPCROSS race, Pletka was still the man to beat. Any number of other riders were capable of taking the win, including Ian Marks and Kit Cischke of Houghton and Matt Belic and Jason Vayre of Marquette. Pletka found himself with in the lead early on and appeared to again be unbeatable. Behind him, Houghton riders Marks and Cischke and Marquette aces Jason Vayre, Andrew Rickhauer and Matt Belic worked to reel him in. Their efforts were in vain, however, as Pletka claimed day one of the series. Marks cruised in for second and, coming off of a victory in Ashland, Cischke took third.

The 25-man A race saw some of the toughest competition to date in this year’s UPCROSS series. All of the known heavyweights were there: 2009 UPCROSS and Keweenaw Cup champion Tyler Jenema of Marquette, current UPCROSS series leader Aaron Swanson of Ashland, and a tough-as-nails Tyler Gauthier of Ishpeming. There were some new faces on hand as well, including Ryan Tervo of Chassell and Red Jacket standout Tim Kostner of Houghton. An early selection was made in the first half lap of the contest, as Jenema, Gauthier, and Swanson moved clear of the field. Kostner worked hard to maintain contact with the trio, but the pace was too high. Midway through the race, Jenema saw his hopes for a Keweenaw Cup repeat dashed as a puncture removed him from the lead group. Too far from the pit zone for a fast wheel change, Jenema lost more ground than he could hope to make up in the 30 minutes remaining in the event. At the head of the race, Gauthier put on a clinic, finishing over a minute ahead of his nearest rival, Aaron Swanson. Third place in the A race went to Tim Kostner, his second UPCROSS podium in as many races.

With the day’s racing finished, cyclists washed down and tuned up their bikes for the next day’s battle and headed over to the Mariner North to civilly discuss the race and plan strategies for the finale.

Race action moved up the hill Sunday morning to the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for the Top of the World Smackdown. In a move designed to give racers on traditional cyclocross bikes an edge over those on mountain bikes, race organizers opted to make the day’s race as fast as possible by including several hundred meters of paved cart path and dirt road. All things being equal, racers with the more narrow tires typically used on cx bikes should, in theory at least, have proven faster on the course. All things are not, of course, equal in a ‘cross race, least of all fate.

In the women’s B race, Red Jacket rider Tammi Lehto of Atlantic Mine capitalized on the absence of day 1 winner Melanie Kueber to take the win and secure her spot as Keweenaw Cup champion. Second place went to Mary Connor and third to E. Voschkl.

The women’s A race was arguably one of the most exiting ‘cx races ever contested in the U.P. The four contenders, Nicole Alexander, Christina Bennett, Kari Gates and 2009 champion Andrea Pernsteiner each led at one point or another in the early laps. Midway, however, the always dangerous Bennett dug deep and opened a considerable gap. Her three main rivals worked hard to cut it down, but to no avail. Alexander, never one to give up, buried herself in an effort to bring Bennett back into striking distance. Over the final laps, the gap nearly gone, it was clear that either woman could take the win. In a neck and neck sprint, it was Bennett who eked out the win, a mere half bike length ahead of Alexander. Kari Gates held her position for third. The weekend title went to Alexander, with Bennett and Gates taking second and third, respectively.

Three racers lined up for the men’s C race: in addition to Bruces Harvey and Pletka, Finn Whalen joined the action. Harvey, again showing strong form, took the gold. Despite repeated attacks by Whalen midway through the race, Pletka held on for second. Class C champion for the weekend was Bruce Harvey. Pletka took home the silver and Whalen the bronze.

In a two-day event, its easy to burn too many matches the first day. And no one knows just how many matches a competitor might have left for the second race. So it was in the men’s B race. Based on prior results, it looked like Jeremy Pletka’s to lose. Yet tactical discussions the night before among Houghton’s Red Jacket squad had certainly been squarely aimed at challenging Pletka’s near dominance in the series. At the gun, Pletka was again able to establish a lead. But behind him a trio of rider joined forces and worked to whittle it away. Houghton’s Kit Cischke, Ian Marks, and James Bialas as well as Marquette’s Matt Belic took turns at the front to keep Pletka’s now shrinking lead in check. And with four laps to go, they managed to turn the tables. Kit Cischke, always the model of composure on the bike, took the opportunity to claim the lead. Marks followed as well, but was unable to match Cischke’s near perfect form over the barriers. Behind them, Pletka was left to wonder if one gear was enough. Cischke maintained a solid lead to the finish, with Marks outpacing Pletka for second.

Though it had always been a possibility, never before had the Keweenaw Cup seen a tie. With Pletka’s first on Saturday and third on Sunday and Ciscke’s third on Saturday and win on Sunday, there was, in fact, a tie for top honors in the B class. Consulting the UCI rulebook, race officials ordered the two leaders to end of the straightaway, some two hundred meters distant, from which they were to contest a one-legged sprint. In a race certain to be debated for years to come, the racers, each opting for the right leg, fought tooth and nail for the first hundred meters when misfortune struck Pletka: the immense forces exerted on the right crank arm resulted in an asymmetric frame deflection that tore his foot from the pedal. Cischke, perhaps through a wiser choice of materials or simply luck, was able to pedal to the line and claim the Keweenaw Cup. Third place for the series went to Ian Marks.

Though anything is possible in a cyclocross race, most of the A racers knew they were racing for fourth. Except for those who were racing for DFL, of course. Provided there were no mishaps, the trio of Gauthier, Swanson and Jenema would likely prove unstoppable, even on mountain bikes. And that’s how it played out, with the threesome quickly breaking away from the pack and racing amongst themselves. At the front, the Tylers worked together to try and wear Aaron Swanson down. Once he was onto their game, however, Swanson realized that the best he could hope for was second. Late in the race, Tyler Gauthier rode away from the pair. Jenema, who had suffered a mechanical the day before was out of contention, which meant Swanson would likely have to chase alone in order to bring Gauthier back. Riding a smart race, Swanson conserved energy and put his eggs in the second-place basket, hoping to out sprint Jenema on the final lap – which is how it ended. With another strong performance, Tim Kostner of Houghton took fourth on the day. Not quite good enough for the podium in Sunday’s race, but it secured his third place in the Keweenaw Cup, behind weekend champion Tyler Gauthier and second place finisher Aaron Swanson.

The Red Jackets would like to thank everyone for traveling the extra distance to Copper Harbor. We’d also like to thank the Copper Harbor Trails Club for their support, Michigan Tech, Computer Mechanix, John Ollila and his dog Toivo, The Bike Shop, BlueSky Health, Banjo Brothers Bags, the village of Copper Harbor, The Mariner North and The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for making the Keweenaw Cup possible.

Results have been posted and overall series standings updated.

Race photos have been uploaded (Have more to share? Send a link!)

With the UPCROSS circus about to settle upon Copper Harbor for the third year running, spirits are high as merchants, residents and wildlife prepare for the annual Keweenaw Cup cyclocross race. Hoteliers are reporting dwindling supplies of rooms and the beer locker of the town's lone grocer is in jeopardy of collapse under the weight of extra shipments of Two Hearted Ale. Preliminary courses have been laid out in the mind of the race organizer and cyclists are again guaranteed a pair of lung-searing races on the always challenging Copper Harbor terrain.

Race organizers have announced the list of men A riders receiving preferred starts in the 2010 event based on current standings in the UPCROSS series and the 2009 Keweenaw Cup. Leading the list is Sisu Cycles rider Jesse Bell. Dave Grant (Chocolay Ace), with consistently strong finishes this year and an outstanding Keweenaw Cup last year, will take second position. Overall champion of both the 2009 UPCROSS series and the 2009 Keweenaw Cup, Tyler Jenema (Gear Grinder) is among those guaranteed a spot on the front row. Also earning preferred starts are Aaron Swanson of Ashland, Wisc, current leader of the UCROSS series; Tyler Gauthier (Culvers); Paul Belknap of Ashland (Bay Cycles); and Tom Maheny (D.S. of Chocolay Ace). Granted a wildcard spot among the leaders is Houghton rider Ryan Tervo (Flyer Cycles), an unknown to the UPCROSS series, but a racer who has been decimating the Houghton training races on a 40 pound, 20 inch girl's bike with flat pedals. Kitted out with a 'cross bike this weekend, Tervo may just bring the Cup to Houghton.

Due to ongoing disputes between the riders' union and UCI, race organizers report that appearance fees will be made in the form of hotdogs and brats this year in lieu of envelopes containing large sums of unmarked bills. Race organizers ask for your understanding.

The Keweenaw Cup could be wet and wild this year. Saturday's forecast calls for a 40% chance of showers. The likelihood of wet chamois goes up to 60% on Sunday. There will be plenty of wind on both days. Come prepared for inclement weather!

Racers and spectators are reminded that the venues have been reversed this year: Saturday's race will be held in downtown Copper Harbor; Sunday's will be contested at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Action gets underway Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

Race details at www.keweenawcup.com.

Claiming victory in his hometown ‘cross race this weekend was UPCROSS points leader Aaron Swanson of Ashland, Wisconsin. Swanson made good use of the off week on the UPCROSS schedule to dial in his technique in preparation for this coming weekend’s Keweenaw Cup, scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24 in Copper Harbor.

The two-day BayCross event, organized by Paul Belknap (sitting 10th in the UPCROSS standings), attracted racers from across Wisconsin, Minnesota and the U.P. The Prentice Park venue for Saturday’s race provided racers with a healthy dose of mud, singletrack and bumps. The hour-long contest saw Swanson take the win ahead of fellow skier Nikoli Anikin in the A race. On the women’s side, Kari Gates was first to cross the line. Kit Cischke of Houghton (Red Jackets) notched a 3rd place finish in the men's B race.

Sunday’s Bayview Park course had racers dashing along the windswept shores of Lake Superior. The wide open park, bathed in a sea of yellow flagging tape, left nowhere to hide. Only those riders lucky enough to have someone of near-identical ability with whom to work had the luxury of hiding at least part of the time in a slipstream. In the early laps of the A race, it was clear to all that everyone was again racing for third. Aaron Swanson and Nikoli Anikin worked quickly to move clear of the field and took turns in the wind to build an insurmountable lead. With 300m to go -the pair having lapped half the field -Swanson made the winning move, taking his second victory of the weekend by a slim 6 seconds, securing his BayCross championship.

In the women’s race, Kari Gates also repeated, making her the undisputed weekend champion. Red Jacket rider Kit Cischke rode a strong race, finishing a solid minute ahead of second place racer and weekend champion David Cizmas.

Congrats and thanks to the Ashland crew for a great event!

Full results at Baycrossrace.com

Fast-paced cyclocross action returns to the Keweenaw October 23&24. The fourth annual Keweenaw Cup, organized by Houghton’s Red Jacket Cycling Team with support from the Copper Harbor Trails Club, will see over 50 racers lining up each of two days of racing: Saturday, Oct. 23, in the Dowtown Hoedown in downtown Copper Harbor, and Sunday, Oct. 24, in Top of the World Smackdown at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor. Weekend champions in each of five classes will be awarded the illustrious Keweenaw Cup.

The races are open to everyone of all ages and all abilities on any kind of bike. No experience required! Typically 30 minutes to one hour in duration, cyclocross events are timed races held on short courses (1 – 1.5 miles) and include surfaces ranging from pavement and dirt roads to singletrack and grass. Obstacles ranging from wooden barriers, logs, sand pits, mud bogs, and fire-eating dragons add to the challenge – and make mounting and dismounting an integral part of the race. Scheduled for late October, anything is possible in the Keweenaw weather-wise – and the race will go one regardless of what it decides to do. Though it may sound intimidating to the uninitiated, the festival-like atmosphere that surrounds every cyclocross race – with clamoring cowbells and cheering spectators – make it a unique sporting event and, for many, the highlight of the cycling season. The short courses ensure that there are nearly always racers in sight, and that the cyclists are never out of earshot of an discouraging encouraging word.

The $20 entry fee for Saturday’s afternoon race includes a pasta dinner at the Mariner North as well as music by the Black Justin Plichta. Dinner tickets will be available at the Mariner North on Saturday for non-racers. Entry for Sunday’s race is $10. Room discounts available at the Mariner North and other Copper Harbor motels to racers.

All proceeds from the weekend’s events will benefit the Copper Harbor Trails Club.

The Keweenaw Cup will mark the fourth weekend of racing in this year’s UPCROSS Points Series, a 7-race series of cyclocross events organized by Marquette’s KMK Cycling Club and the Copper Country’s Red Jacket Cycling Team and the Range Mountain Bike Club of Ishpeming. The series attracts racers each week from across Michigan, Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota from late September through mid-November.

Further details on the Keweenaw Cup at www.keweenawcup.com

Come race cyclocross on the shores of Lake Superior! Now entering its 6th year, BayCross is Northern Wisconsin’s only ‘cross race. With two beautiful venues and races for all ages and ability levels, BayCross has something for everyone. Thanks to our friends at the Ideal Market and Rivers Eatery, racers who complete both days in the open class will be vying for a $500 purse, with equal purses for the men and women. There will also be merchandise prizes for the overall winners in the other race classes, including the vibrant junior class, so make it a weekend to enjoy the great fall color and outstanding Chequamegon Bay area and check out one of the fastest growing cycling disciplines in the USA.  Saturday’s race takes place on the western edge of Ashland in secluded, forested Prentice Park on a variety of trails and roads. The course returns to the start-finish area multiple times per lap for great spectating opportunities. Sunday’s race is held right on the shores of Lake Superior at Bayview Park on Ashland’s east side. The race features a wide open race course through rolling terrain in the park and affords outstanding spectating opportunities backed by the beauty of Chequamegon Bay.

Registration forms and further information are available at www.baycrossrace.com

Contact:
Paul Belknap at 715-209-0613 or paul@baycrossrace.com, Sara Hudson at 715-682-7059 or shudson@coawi.org

According to a source close to the situation who requested not to be identified, Traverse City, Michigan, and Madison, Wisconsin, are the front-runners to host the 2011-2012 National Cyclocross Championships. An official announcement is expected within weeks.