The fourth race of the 2012 Subaru-sponsored Wisconsin Off Road Series, the Battle of CamRock, was won in the singletrack and on the climbs by Nathan Guerra (Wheel & Sprocket / Vision) and Abby Strigel (HoneyStinger / Bontrager). The UCI-style BelGioioso Elite course featured a short 4.5 mile lap heavy on tight, twisting singletrack over rocky, rooty terrain, and over 2,500 feet of climbing over the five laps of the men’s race.
From the start, racers sprinted uphill for position entering the first section of singletrack. In the men’s race, Mike Phillips (Adventure 212 / Specialized) led the way followed by 2011 Champion Tristan Schouten (Rolf Prima / Giant), Guerra, Isaac Neff (Williamson Street Bicycle Works), and teammates Ben Koenig and Corey Stelljes (Bike Hub / Specialized). The field strung out as riders behind the leaders started to feel the elastic snap in the first extended section of singletrack. Phillips kept the pace high and was still leading near the end of the first lap, when Guerra moved to the front. After attacking on a steep climb bracketed by a series of bermed switchbacks, Guerra was reeled back in by Schouten and Phillips, with Neff, Stelljes and Mark Lalonde in close pursuit.
“Mikey did his pin-it-for-a-lap,” recalled Guerra. “I was head sideways wondering ‘how long are we going to do this?’ As soon as it began to slow a little, I went to the front and went as hard as I could. I think when Tristan saw I wanted to keep going, he went to the front to control the pace. I was joking with him a little, calling him ‘controller” when we were in singletrack,” laughed Guerra.
Schouten was in control until the middle of the third lap, with only Corey Stelljes able to keep pace as Guerra struggled to break away. Close behind was Mike Phillips and singlespeed racer Mark Lalonde was gaining fast. Despite low air pressure in his front tire from early in the race, Lalonde rose as high as fourth place before ultimately running the final half mile after his third flat of the day to claim 11th.
By the fourth lap, Guerra (2:00:45) broke free and opened a gap, as the lead BelGioioso Elite men entered significant lapped traffic. Stelljes (2:01:20) repeatedly attacked on exposed climbs and open sections to gap Schouten. Third place came down to a sprint between Phillips (2:03:23) and Schouten (2:03:24), with Phillips claiming third. The final podium step was claimed by Phillips’ teammate Darrin Braun (2:03:53).
In the women’s race, Series leader Abby Strigel was already working her way through the men’s field as the women entered the singletrack. Close behind was Ontario’s Susan Stephens, Robin Williams and Lori Sable. Lisa Krayer (Adventure 212 / Specialized) was fighting for position after a slow start.
“I wanted to really give it at the start to make sure I was ahead of people in the singletrack,” recalled Krayer. “But everyone was going so hard at the start and I didn’t have the best position. Going in to the singletrack I felt there was a gap forming between me and the leaders. I just stayed with it and it kind of settled in to Lori and I again, and then we could see Robin and we were dangling there again, trying to catch her.”
Strigel's lead was unchallenged and she rode in alone at 1:51:52, followed by Stephens at 1:54:25. Krayer (1:55:59) managed to pull ahead of Williams (1:58:18) to claim third, and the podium was completed by singlespeed newcomer Amber Markee at 1:58:40.
The Battle of CamRock also welcomed another great turnout of 14-and-under racers during WORS' Year of the Junior with 70 men and 17 women under 14 competing in the Citizen Juniors races.
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 1:51:52.6 0:00.0 Honey Stinger/Bontrager/Pat's
2 2 F 4-99 587 Susan Stephens Harrow ON 38 1:54:25.0 2:32.4 Quiring Cycles
3 3 F 4-99 503 Lisa Krayer North Freedom WI 37 1:55:59.8 4:07.2 Adventure 212/Specialized
4 1 F 30-39 588 Robin Williams Iowa City IA 33 1:58:18.3 6:25.7 Mercy-Specialized
5 1 F 4-29 515 Amber Markey Madison WI 25 1:58:40.1 6:47.5 Magnus
6 1 F 40-99 511 Lori Sable Thiensville WI 46 1:59:36.1 7:43.5 K9 Dynamics
7 4 F 4-99 585 Erin Vicary Walled Lake MI 34 2:00:49.7 8:57.1 Quiring Cycles
8 2 F 4-29 504 Anna Ganju New Berlin WI 29 2:02:25.0 10:32.4 Polska
9 2 F 30-39 514 Denise Coppock Green Bay WI 38 2:02:50.7 10:58.1 Titletown Flyers
10 3 F 30-39 505 Sarah Agena-Wright Stevens Point WI 34 2:04:16.6 12:24.0 Adventure 212/Specialized
11 4 F 30-39 508 Michelle Peariso Amherst WI 36 2:07:41.4 15:48.8 Adventure 212/Specialized
12 5 F 30-39 509 April Dombrowski Oshkosh WI 39 2:20:02.3 28:09.7 Team Pedal Moraine
13 3 F 4-29 513 Maria Statz Wisconsin Rapids WI 28 2:25:47.0 33:54.3 Element Mobile
14 6 F 30-39 510 Jennifer Whitedog La Crosse WI 33 2:34:17.8 42:25.2 BikesLTD/ScenicConcepts
DNF F 4-29 586 Amanda Ryan Wixom MI 27 Einstein Racing
Elite (Pro & Cat 1) Males
Overall Age Group Bib # Name City, State Age Time Time Back Team
1 1 M 4-99 3 Nathan Guerra Oconomowoc WI 31 2:00:45.9 0:00.0 Vision/Wheel & Sprocket
2 2 M 4-99 10 Corey Stelljes Madison WI 32 2:01:20.5 0:34.5 The Bike Hub/Specialized Cycli
3 3 M 4-99 4 Mike Phillips Chicago IL 35 2:03:23.6 2:37.6 Adventure 212/Specialized
4 4 M 4-99 1 Tristan Schouten Plymouth WI 30 2:03:24.6 2:38.6 Rolf Prima / Giant
5 5 M 4-99 6 Darrin Braun Butler WI 27 2:03:53.0 3:07.0 Adventure 212/Specialized
6 6 M 4-99 52 Isaac Neff Madison WI 26 2:04:16.8 3:30.8 Williamson Bicycle Works
7 1 M 24-34 42 Brian Heifner Middleton WI 32 2:05:49.1 5:03.2 Magnus
8 1 M 35-44 257 Jacob Groethe Pewaukee WI 35 2:06:22.6 5:36.7 Badger Velo Club
9 7 M 4-99 8 Kevin McConnell Iowa City IA 31 2:06:29.9 5:44.0 Mercy-Specialized
10 8 M 4-99 31 Justin Piontek Wabeno WI 24 2:06:35.0 5:49.0 The Bike Hub/Specialized
11 9 M 4-99 65 Mark Lalonde Madison WI 30 2:07:13.2 6:27.3 Lalonde Bros-Twin Six
12 10 M 4-99 9 Ben Koenig Schofield WI 24 2:07:29.1 6:43.1 The Bike Hub/Specialized
13 2 M 24-34 45 Matt Gehling Madison WI 27 2:08:19.2 7:33.2 Team Wisconsin/KS Energy
14 11 M 4-99 62 Ronald Stawicki Waukesha WI 34 2:08:25.9 7:39.9 Polska
15 2 M 35-44 100 Ray Nelson Woodstock IL 42 2:09:15.9 8:29.9 Treadhead Cycling
16 3 M 24-34 77 Carlos Haeckel Waukesha WI 29 2:09:46.6 9:00.6 Alterra Coffee/W85
17 1 M 45-99 99 Jw Miller Madison WI 47 2:09:55.5 9:09.5
18 4 M 24-34 253 Michael Hemme Chicago IL 33 2:10:20.2 9:34.2 Half Acre
19 5 M 24-34 20 Tyler Jenema Marquette MI 26 2:10:22.1 9:36.2 Kuhl Racing tain
20 3 M 35-44 16 Vincent Steger Mc Farland WI 35 2:10:24.4 9:38.4 Erik's Bikes & Boards
21 2 M 45-99 17 Jeff Melcher West Bend WI 45 2:11:19.0 10:33.0 Team Pedal Moraine
22 12 M 4-99 49 Chad Sova River Falls WI 27 2:11:34.1 10:48.1 On The Rivet
23 4 M 35-44 83 Trevor Olson Rochester MN 39 2:12:18.0 11:32.0 Muddy Cup
24 1 M 4-23 18 Ben Senkerik Wauwatosa WI 19 2:13:54.8 13:08.8 Vision / Wheel & Sprocket
25 3 M 45-99 23 John Shull Libertyville IL 50 2:14:09.2 13:23.2 EXPO
26 6 M 24-34 61 Ted Hanes Fond Du Lac WI 31 2:14:10.1 13:24.1 Fond du Lac Cyclery
27 7 M 24-34 258 Ben Jenkins Geneva IL 32 2:14:40.6 13:54.6 Carborocket
28 8 M 24-34 22 Tim Racette Antioch IL 25 2:14:45.5 13:59.5 KS Energy Services/Team Wiscon
29 5 M 35-44 78 Joel Hynes Wausau WI 38 2:14:54.2 14:08.2 Bikeman.com.Titletown
30 6 M 35-44 48 Bill Nigh West Bend WI 43 2:15:07.8 14:21.8 Team Pedal Moraine
31 9 M 24-34 32 Luke Batchelor-Clark Madison WI 33 2:15:33.3 14:47.3 Magnus
32 10 M 24-34 73 Scott Vogelmann Madison WI 33 2:15:36.5 14:50.5 Trek Midwest
33 7 M 35-44 60 Gabriel Ion Spring Grove IL 39 2:15:58.4 15:12.4 Treadhead Cycling
34 2 M 4-23 47 Micheal Dutczak Crete IL 19 2:16:24.3 15:38.3 South Chicago Wheelman
35 8 M 35-44 13 Chad Boyles Pewaukee WI 43 2:16:43.1 15:57.1 Badger Velo Club
36 4 M 45-99 37 Greg Jones West Allis WI 45 2:17:14.2 16:28.2
37 11 M 24-34 251 Chris Tries Cudahy WI 33 2:17:23.8 16:37.9 south shore cyclery
38 12 M 24-34 260 Paul Mumford Chicago IL 28 2:18:45.9 17:59.9 Kinky Llama Racing
39 13 M 4-99 79 Dallas Fowler Green Bay WI 25 2:19:49.3 19:03.4 Kuhl
40 13 M 24-34 95 David Bender Belvidere IL 32 2:20:28.5 19:42.5 JVC/Michael's Cycle
41 9 M 35-44 85 Josh Shively La Crosse WI 40 2:20:34.3 19:48.3 Team 360/La Crosse Velo
42 14 M 24-34 53 Scott Neperud Madison WI 27 2:22:11.5 21:25.5 Magnus
43 3 M 4-23 34 Myles Beach Larsen WI 18 2:22:25.2 21:39.2 Adventure 212/Specialized
44 10 M 35-44 76 Bryan Frazier Cottage Grove WI 36 2:22:30.7 21:44.7 Baraboo Sharks
45 4 M 4-23 254 Ryan Voss Damascus OR 21 2:22:51.4 22:05.5
46 5 M 4-23 69 Kyle Warras Waukesha WI 19 2:22:56.9 22:10.9 Expo Racing
47 11 M 35-44 64 Sanjay Ganju New Berlin WI 36 2:23:02.4 22:16.4 Trek Midwest Team
48 12 M 35-44 51 Steve Schafer Barrington IL 42 2:23:57.3 23:11.3
49 13 M 35-44 262 Matt Silvia Chicago IL 39 2:24:00.0 23:14.0 Carborocket
50 15 M 24-34 29 Dan Schaefer Adell WI 30 2:24:06.9 23:20.9 Team Fond du Lac Cyclery
51 16 M 24-34 75 Ken Statz Wisconsin Rapids WI 29 2:24:15.5 23:29.5 Element Mobile
52 17 M 24-34 256 James Ye Chicago IL 31 2:24:16.1 23:30.1 Tuxedo Thunder
53 14 M 35-44 81 Chad Dean Madison WI 35 2:24:43.5 23:57.5 5Nines Cycling
54 15 M 35-44 261 Jose Barraza Chicago IL 43 2:25:24.1 24:38.1 On The Route Bicycles
55 5 M 45-99 43 John Wypiszinski Kaukauna WI 46 2:25:29.7 24:43.7 Titletown Flyers
56 16 M 35-44 259 Dan Tavela Franklin WI 42 2:26:12.7 25:26.7 Treadhead Cycling
57 18 M 24-34 46 Jason Gosse Eau Claire WI 33 2:27:30.7 26:44.7 Team WORS
58 19 M 24-34 255 Michael Anderson Appleton WI 26 2:27:56.7 27:10.7 Schwag
59 17 M 35-44 56 Barry Winters Nekoosa WI 43 2:28:19.0 27:33.0 Element Mobile / Brings
60 6 M 45-99 15 Jim Peterson Edgerton WI 54 2:28:20.4 27:34.4 Michaels/JVC
61 18 M 35-44 14 Karl Tillman La Crosse WI 38 2:28:54.2 28:08.2 Team 360 / LAX Velo
62 7 M 45-99 250 Bil Danielson Hayward WI 54 2:29:16.5 28:30.5 Riverbrook Racing
63 8 M 45-99 71 Jeff Sympson Rockford IL 50 2:29:53.2 29:07.2 Big Ring Flyers
64 19 M 35-44 249 James Holmes Cambridge WI 37 2:32:11.4 31:25.4 Team Madcross
65 20 M 35-44 252 John Brown Stevens Point WI 37 2:38:01.1 37:15.1 Wheel & Sprocket
66 9 M 45-99 80 Tim Jennings Wisconsin Rapids WI 45 2:47:15.9 46:29.9 Element Mobile/Brings
NR M 35-44 27 Bill Burkholder Rockford IL 42 Kegels
DNF M 35-44 50 Jerrod Collier Lindenhurst IL 43 Muddy Cup
NR M 24-34 44 Luke Holtan Milwaukee WI 30 VELO TROCADERO
NR M 24-34 21 Nicholas Holzem Weston WI 30 Sprocketz
NR M 24-34 67 Michael Humpal Libertyville IL 30 Specialized
NR M 24-34 125 Patryk Limanowicz Chicago IL 32 R Bikes.com
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
NR M 35-44 72 Maciej Nowak Waukesha WI 35 Team Polska
DNF M 35-44 58 Tim Scanley Milwaukee WI 36 Alterra Coffee 
