Big guns come out at WORS #3
Defending Champion Tristan Schouten returns to go one-two with Brian Matter
by Claire Cannon
Defending Overall Champion Tristan Schouten (Rolf Prima / Giant), current Series leader Brian Matter (Gear Grinder / Trek), and two Lalonde brothers (Lalonde Bros-T6), including past WORS Champion Jesse Lalonde, toed the line with a deep field on Sunday for the heavy-hitting third race of the 2012 Subaru-sponsored Wisconsin Off Road Series. The course broke a long lead out into a series of tight chicanes and short singletrack sprints before climbing into technical rocky singletrack, and had the field racing hard from “Go!”
“I thought today was a really hard race,” commented Brian Matter. “It was the first race of the 2012 Series where all the big hitters were here. And with the different start, right from the gun everybody was pretty aggressive. It wasn’t like [WORS #2] Rhinelander where we started down the dirt road holding hands. It was pretty much racing the entire time.”
Each lap was a mixture of wide-open, blazing-fast doubletrack and tight, rocky-strewn singletrack, with several significant climbs to keep things honest.
Heading out onto their second lap, a large lead group of 10 riders remained together, including Schouten, Matter, brothers Mark and Jesse Lalonde, Nathan Guerra (Wheel & Sprocket / Vision), Kevin McConnell (Mercy-Specialized), Mike Phillips (Adventure 212 / Specialized) and relative newcomers Corey Stelljes (The Bike Hub / Specialized), Issac Neff (Williamson Bicycle Works), Justin Piontek (The Bike Hub / Specialized), and Joe Maloney (Team Wisconsin / KS Energy). As they moved onto the first of two significant climbs leading into rocky singletrack, neo-pro and former All-American runner Corey Stelljes went to the front and “threw in this crazy move,” relayed Mark Lalonde.
All-American Flyer Stelljes off the front
“We hit the long grade and I went to the front,” said Stelljes. “I like races to be hard the whole time and put it out there. I took a flyer off the group and made it through the next rocky, downhill singletrack. Those guys brought me back, but it whittled the group down to about five.”
Once the group made contact with Stelljes again, fellow neo-pro Issac Neff helped drive the pace up a brutally steep climb. As the pitch continued to climb leading into the rockiest singletrack, the remaining chase group shattered behind the leaders.
The Lalonde brothers, racing singlespeed, dismounted and ran up the hill, keeping pace with the field. By the middle of that lap, Schouten had counterattacked and was being chased by Brian Matter, Nathan Guerra, Mark Lalonde and Joe Maloney. Issac Neff, Corey Stelljes, Tyler Gauthier, Justin Piontek and Jesse Lalonde were all less than 30 seconds behind the lead.
Defending Champion Schouten attributed his ability to make his breakaway stick to being able to power through the technical, rocky singletrack sections on his new, full-suspension Giant Anthem.
“Last year I was able to get off the front a few times but I was riding a hard tail and every time we got to a rocky section they would bring me back,” recalled Schouten. “This year, I was climbing with my lightweight Rolf Prima wheels and I could pedal the bumpy stuff. That pretty much separated the group. I think Brian and Nathan came up to me and then it was just the three of us.”
In the final lap, Matter was setting the pace when a sudden flat ended Guerra’s race and, as discovered later, left tread marks on Schouten’s calf as the Wheel & Sprocket rider literally fell into him. In the chase group, Corey Stelljes and Mark Lalonde dueled in the singletrack while just behind them Tyler Gauthier and Joe Maloney fought for the final podium spot. Maloney, who nearly had his foot on a podium step for the second race in a row, ended his race early when he took a hard fall in the technical, rocky singletrack and fractured a collarbone.
The finish came down to a sprint
If Midwest mountain bike racing fans could field “fantasy” MTB Teams, longtime rivals, training partners and Sheboygan locals Tristan Schouten and Brian Matter would be top picks on any roster. Spectators came running to watch the showdown as the two emerged from the final section of singletrack and set up their finish. Schouten and Matter have sprinted to the finish at Wausau before and, in 2011, Matter came out on top.
“Battling Tristan, it was good to have him back on the WORS scene,” said Matter after the fact. “Before the last turn, I had a quick word with Tristan. I said ‘How about I lead it out this year and we’ll see what happens.’ He says ‘OK.’ And I guess the Golden Rule at this venue is don’t lead out the sprint, because you can’t win if you lead it out. Three years in a row now it comes down to a sprint, and each time the guy who leads it out loses.”
“We were both sit-down sprinting because we were both cramping,” explained Schouten. “It was pretty much whoever had it.”
At 1:55:55.6 Schouten had it, stamping his return to WORS with a strong defense of his 2011 title and a commanding presence at arguably the hardest race of the Series thus far. Matter finished in second place at 1:55:56.2, while Mark Lalonde made the singletrack make the difference over Corey Stelljes to take third at 1:56:19. Stelljes stepped onto the Overall Podium for the first time in 4th at 1:56:51, and Tyler Gauthier won a brutal race of attrition to claim 5th in 1:57:51.
As the Wisconsin Series moves into the heat of summer, the competition in the men’s BelGioioso Elite field is guaranteed to yield fast, hard racing. With strong neo-pro riders battling to make moves in the lead group, perennial podium finishers Nathan Guerra and Mike Phillips looking to move up, past and defending Series Champions controlling the pace, and both Lalonde brothers in the mix aboard formidable singlespeed gearing, the outcome is anyone’s guess. Throw in local wild cards like Matt Shriver and Brian Eppen, and men’s BelGioioso Elite racing will be turning up the heat this season.
Strigel unbeaten in Women’s Series
In the women’s race Abby Strigel and Robin Williams broke away early from a combined women’s Elite and Open field of over 20 women. Once in the singletrack, Strigel took the lead and did not look back, staying out of sight to win in 1:40:29. Williams (Mercy-Specialized), has been a significant threat at this venue before, alongside teammate Kim Eppen, and was not far behind, finishing in 1:42:53. Although within sight through three laps, Lisa Krayer (1:43:46; Adventure 212 / Specialized), Lori Sable (1:43:46) and Sarah Agena-Wright (1:45:56; Adventure 212 / Specialized) held their places throughout the race to round out the women’s BelGioioso Elite podium.
The Year of the Junior continues at WORS with 157 racers ages 18 and under competing at the Trek Big Ring Classic at ability levels from Cat 3 Citizen to Cat 1. The next race of the 2012 Subaru-sponsored Wisconsin Off Road Series will be held just outside the state Capitol of Madison, WI at the Battle of Cam Rock on June 17.
Elite (Pro & Cat 1) Females
Overall Age Group Bib # Name City, State Age Time Time Back Team
1 1 F 4-99 501 Abby Strigel Madison WI 29 1:40:29.6 0:00.0 Honey Stringer/Bontager/Pat's
2 1 F 30-39 582 Robin Williams Iowa City IA 33 1:42:53.9 2:24.3 Mercy-Specialized
3 2 F 4-99 503 Lisa Krayer North Freedom WI 37 1:43:46.7 3:17.1 Adventure 212/Specialized
4 1 F 40-99 511 Lori Sable Thiensville WI 46 1:44:43.8 4:14.1
5 2 F 30-39 505 Sarah Agena-Wright Stevens Point WI 34 1:45:56.7 5:27.0 Adventure 212/Specialized
6 3 F 30-39 508 Michelle Peariso Amherst WI 36 1:47:52.3 7:22.7 Adventure 212/Specialized
7 4 F 30-39 584 Andrea Matter Sheboygan WI 35 1:48:55.8 8:26.1 Gear Grinder
8 5 F 30-39 514 Denise Coppock Green Bay WI 38 1:48:56.8 8:27.1 Titletown Flyers
9 6 F 30-39 509 April Dombrowski Oshkosh WI 39 1:56:28.9 15:59.2 Team Pedal Moraine
10 1 F 4-29 513 Maria Statz Wisconsin Rapids WI 28 2:08:10.4 27:40.7 Element Mobile
NR F 4-29 506 Rachel Horstman Madison WI 25 Team WI / KS Energy
DNF F 4-99 583 Rebecca Sauber Farmington MN 35 Leopard/LCR
Elite (Pro & Cat 1) Males
Overall Age Group Bib # Name City, State Age Time Time Back Team
1 1 M 4-99 1 Tristan Schouten Plymouth WI 30 1:55:55.6 0:00.0 Rolf Prima / Giant
2 2 M 4-99 2 Brian Matter Sheboygan WI 34 1:55:56.2 0:00.5 Gear Grinder
3 3 M 4-99 65 Mark Lalonde Madison WI 30 1:56:19.7 0:24.0 Lalonde Bros-T6
4 4 M 4-99 10 Corey Stelljes Madison WI 32 1:56:51.1 0:55.5 The Bike Hub/Specialized
5 5 M 4-99 7 Tyler Gauthier Ishpeming MI 29 1:57:12.6 1:16.9 Culvers Racing p/b Meyer Famil
6 6 M 4-99 8 Kevin McConnell Iowa City IA 31 1:57:45.4 1:49.7 Mercy-Specialized
7 7 M 4-99 31 Justin Piontek Wabeno WI 24 1:58:38.0 2:42.3 The Bike Hub/Specialized
8 1 M 24-34 244 Jesse Lalonde Madison WI 33 1:58:38.4 2:42.8 LaLonde Bros / T6
9 8 M 4-99 6 Darrin Braun Butler WI 27 1:59:14.5 3:18.8 Adventure 212/Specialized
10 9 M 4-99 52 Isaac Neff Madison WI 26 1:59:15.2 3:19.5 Williamson Bicycle Works
11 2 M 24-34 42 Brian Heifner Middleton WI 32 1:59:43.4 3:47.7 Magnus
12 1 M 35-44 100 Ray Nelson Woodstock IL 42 2:01:33.9 5:38.2 Treadhead Cycling
13 3 M 24-34 45 Matt Gehling Madison WI 27 2:01:35.8 5:40.2 Team Wisconsin/KS Energy
14 2 M 35-44 233 Jacob Groethe Pewaukee WI 35 2:01:41.4 5:45.8 Badger Velo Club
15 4 M 24-34 20 Tyler Jenema Marquette MI 26 2:02:34.6 6:38.9 Kuhl Racing tain
16 10 M 4-99 49 Chad Sova River Falls WI 27 2:02:44.2 6:48.5 On The Rivet
17 5 M 24-34 70 Ryan Baumann Green Bay WI 25 2:02:52.3 6:56.7 Titletown Flyers
18 11 M 4-99 9 Ben Koenig Schofield WI 24 2:03:01.5 7:05.8 The Bike Hub/Specialized
19 6 M 24-34 61 Ted Hanes Fond Du Lac WI 31 2:03:40.0 7:44.3 Fond du Lac Cyclery
20 7 M 24-34 22 Tim Racette Antioch IL 25 2:04:25.3 8:29.6 KS Energy Services/Team Wiscon
21 12 M 4-99 62 Ronald Stawicki Waukesha WI 34 2:04:30.9 8:35.2 Polska
22 3 M 35-44 88 Michael Naughton Crystal Lake IL 42 2:05:10.2 9:14.5 Wheel Werks/Gore
23 8 M 24-34 77 Carlos Haeckel Waukesha WI 29 2:05:59.9 10:04.2 Alterra Coffee/W85
24 4 M 35-44 83 Trevor Olson Rochester MN 39 2:06:02.3 10:06.6 Muddy Cup
25 1 M 4-23 243 Kyle Sarasin Marquette MI 23 2:07:36.8 11:41.1 penpharm.com
26 5 M 35-44 48 Bill Nigh West Bend WI 43 2:07:44.8 11:49.1 Team Pedal Moraine
27 9 M 24-34 246 Matthew Omeara Eau Claire WI 31 2:07:54.3 11:58.6 On THe Rivet
28 10 M 24-34 73 Scott Vogelmann Madison WI 33 2:07:57.5 12:01.8 Trek Midwest
29 6 M 35-44 78 Joel Hynes Wausau WI 38 2:08:00.3 12:04.6 Bikeman.com-Titletown
30 1 M 45-99 23 John Shull Libertyville IL 50 2:08:19.5 12:23.8 EXPO
31 2 M 45-99 99 Jw Miller Madison WI 47 2:08:41.4 12:45.7
32 7 M 35-44 16 Vincent Steger Mc Farland WI 35 2:09:09.8 13:14.1 Erik's Bikes & Boards
33 8 M 35-44 85 Josh Shively La Crosse WI 40 2:09:47.4 13:51.8 Team 360/La Crosse Velo
34 13 M 4-99 79 Dallas Fowler Green Bay WI 25 2:09:56.2 14:00.5 Kuhl
35 11 M 24-34 236 Michael Anderson Appleton WI 26 2:09:57.8 14:02.1 Schwag
36 9 M 35-44 60 Gabriel Ion Spring Grove IL 39 2:11:10.5 15:14.8 Treadhead Cycling
37 10 M 35-44 248 Aaron Swanson Ashland WI 40 2:11:18.0 15:22.3 Swanson Financial/Ski Hut
38 3 M 45-99 43 John Wypiszinski Kaukauna WI 46 2:11:28.0 15:32.3 Titletown Flyers
39 2 M 4-23 19 Travis Johnson Two Rivers WI 19 2:11:35.9 15:40.2 Heavy Pedal Velo Club
40 11 M 35-44 13 Chad Boyles Pewaukee WI 43 2:11:58.4 16:02.7 Badger Velo Club
41 3 M 4-23 69 Kyle Warras Waukesha WI 19 2:12:09.1 16:13.4 EXPO Racing
42 12 M 24-34 245 Nathan Lillie Prairie Farm WI 33 2:12:48.9 16:53.2
43 12 M 35-44 247 Adam Swank Duluth MN 37 2:13:05.9 17:10.2
44 13 M 35-44 12 Glenn Kirst Menomonee Falls WI 39 2:13:54.1 17:58.4 Wheel & Sprocket
45 13 M 24-34 32 Luke Batchelor-Clark Madison WI 33 2:14:18.7 18:23.0 Magnus
46 14 M 24-34 241 Chris Tries Cudahy WI 33 2:14:33.0 18:37.3 South Short Cydery
47 15 M 24-34 67 Michael Humpal Libertyville IL 30 2:14:56.0 19:00.4 Specialized
48 16 M 24-34 21 Nicholas Holzem Weston WI 30 2:15:34.7 19:39.0 Sprocketz
49 4 M 4-23 235 Eric Ollis Houghton MI 22 2:15:39.6 19:43.9 Culvers p/b Meyer family
50 14 M 35-44 82 Jeremy Peterson Brevard NC 41 2:15:42.3 19:46.6
51 15 M 35-44 27 Bill Burkholder Rockford IL 42 2:16:17.6 20:22.0 Kegels
52 16 M 35-44 51 Steve Schafer Barrington IL 42 2:16:19.0 20:23.4
53 17 M 35-44 76 Bryan Frazier Cottage Grove WI 36 2:17:27.8 21:32.1 Baraboo Sharks
54 18 M 35-44 58 Tim Scanley Milwaukee WI 36 2:17:29.6 21:34.0 Alterra Coffee
55 4 M 45-99 84 Mark Burkholz Menomonee Falls WI 49 2:18:21.8 22:26.1 Team Extreme/Twin Six
56 5 M 45-99 15 Jim Peterson Edgerton WI 54 2:19:25.5 23:29.8 Michaels/JVC
57 17 M 24-34 237 Justin Lund Tomahawk WI 31 2:21:19.2 25:23.5 Bradley Park Trail Crew
58 19 M 35-44 232 Mike Bushey Esko MN 44 2:21:50.0 25:54.3 Ski-Hut
59 6 M 45-99 71 Jeff Sympson Rockford IL 50 2:22:05.3 26:09.6 Big Ring Flyers
60 7 M 45-99 239 Rick Cleary River Falls WI 50 2:24:02.7 28:07.1 KORC
61 8 M 45-99 37 Greg Jones West Allis WI 45 2:24:39.9 28:44.2
62 20 M 35-44 240 Dan Tavela Franklin WI 42 2:24:41.2 28:45.5 Treadhead Cycling
63 14 M 4-99 3 Nathan Guerra Oconomowoc WI 31 2:25:32.7 29:37.0 Vision/Wheel & Sprocket
64 18 M 24-34 46 Jason Gosse Eau Claire WI 33 2:27:09.6 31:13.9 Team WORS
65 21 M 35-44 231 John Brown Stevens Point WI 37 2:27:31.2 31:35.5 Wheel & Sprocket
66 22 M 35-44 56 Barry Winters Nekoosa WI 43 2:27:37.3 31:41.6 Element Mobile / Brings
67 19 M 24-34 53 Scott Neperud Madison WI 27 2:27:38.1 31:42.4 Magnus
68 20 M 24-34 95 David Bender Belvidere IL 32 2:30:41.0 34:45.3 JVC/Michael's Cycle
69 23 M 35-44 86 Craig Manthe Eau Claire WI 38 2:31:20.1 35:24.4 OTR
70 24 M 35-44 242 James Holmes Cambridge WI 37 2:31:30.1 35:34.4
71 25 M 35-44 229 Erik Eiseman Marseilles IL 39 2:34:51.5 38:55.8
NR M 4-23 34 Myles Beach Larsen WI 18 Adventure 212/Specialized
DNF M 35-44 50 Jerrod Collier Lindenhurst IL 43 Muddy Cup
DNF M 4-23 47 Michael Dutczak Crete IL 19 South Chicago Wheelman
DNF M 45-99 80 Tim Jennings Wisconsin Rapids WI 45 Element Mobile/Brings
DNF M 45-99 11 John Lirette Menomonee Falls WI 46 Unattached
NR M 4-23 38 Joseph Maloney Madison WI 22 KS Energy Services/Team Wiscon
DNF M 45-99 17 Jeff Melcher West Bend WI 45 Team Pedal Moraine
NR M 24-34 234 Matt Millin Kenosha WI 26 Team Dayrider
NR M 4-99 4 Mike Phillips Chicago IL 35 Adventure 212/Specialized
DNF M 35-44 238 Lonie Sauber Farmington MN 42 Leopard/LCR
DNF M 4-23 18 Ben Senkerik Wauwatosa WI 19 Vision / Wheel & Sprocket
DNF M 24-34 75 Ken Statz Wisconsin Rapids WI 29 Element Mobile
DNF M 35-44 14 Karl Tillman La Crosse WI 38 Team 360 / LAX Velo
Updated on May 19, 2013, 4:26am
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