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Wigwam/Ultimax Challenge

Wisconsin, October 10, 2004

Big prize bolsters big race

Sheboygan PCWCYCLING.ORG rider Matter wraps up series title

By Adam Thompson

Money has been known to change people, sometimes for the worse.

But on Sunday, it changed a mountain bike race, and there was little doubt it was for the better.

Sunday's Wigwam/ Ultimax Challenge hosted by the FAT KAT Mountain Bike Club at Quarryview Park, the final stop in the Wisconsin Off-Road Series, offered $1,500 to the race winner in the Elite Class, the tour's top class. That was far and away the biggest jackpot for any WORS event, and much more than always-generous Wigwam/Ultimax Challenges in past years.

What the monetary incentive did was exponentially increase the voltage for what is always a competitive race.

"It was definitely the most intense WORS race I've ever been a part of," said Sheboygan's Tristan Schouten (PCWCYCLING.ORG), who finished third overall.

Minnesota native Doug Swanson (Trek), who won the series championship last year, put his hands in the air and let out a yell as he crossed the finish line as the winner.

"It's going toward my new mortgage," said Swanson, who won the race and the series championship last year as well.

This year's main event was faster and tougher than ever before, especially at the front of the pack. A dedicated group of five riders eventually broke from the pack, and that group dwindled to three by the end of the race.

In the closing laps Swanson attacked and had John Devine (USA-23) counter to break the group apart, now at two. However John went down hard onto the quarry cliffs. Doug stood up some to ensure his past teammates wellbeing and now the group was back together, Swanson, Hall & Schouten. On the last lap Doug, put some room between himself and followers Schouten and Jeff Hall (Salsa) of Minnesota on "The Equalizer," a dreaded steep hill that can make or break riders, then sprinted to the end.

"The intensity was twice as much (as usual)," said Swanson. "Everyone was definitely motivated by (the top prize). They brought their "A" game."

Brian Matter (PCWCYCLING.ORG) of Sheboygan finished in fifth place, which was good enough to claim the WORS series championship. Matter, who needed a top-five finish to hold onto the points lead, said it wasn't the race he was expecting, either.

"I didn't think it was possible to race this fast on this course," said Matter. "I guess when you have that kind of money on the line, people are willing to take extra risks.

"But I did it. I'm very happy," he said of the title. "It was a long season."

Sheboygan's Brian Schaning (PCWCYCLING.ORG), who was in the lead group early on, blew a tire and couldn't get it fixed in the allotted time and dropped out.

The five-mile course offered riders of all levels a chance to compete in the off-road festivities. More than 650 riders in three categories took the start and another 300 youth in the Shimano and Hayes Series. Full results are posted on the WORS Website, www.wors.org.

Women's race - Kim Eppen of Iowa City, Iowa, led a group of three from the second lap on, winning the race in her first season in the elite class.

"It was fast. We had a really competitive race," said Eppen. "There are some really competitive women races out there. This event is a lot of fun, and really run well."

Elite Females
 
1 Kim Eppen (Unattached)                            1.40.27
2 Jenna Zander (NicoletBike.com)                       0.31
3 Sara Kylander-Johnso (Trek Midwest Regional Team)    0.51
4 Anne Grabowski (Penn Cycle / Nature Valley)          2.02
5 Rebecca Cleveland (Bike Hub)                         2.35
6 Susan Juedes (Bike Hub)                              5.39
7 Lori Sable (Team Wisconsin)                          8.55
8 Sara Stanford (D'Arcy Cycling Team)                  9.42
9 Karen Zielinski (Team Pedal Moraine)                13.48
10 Holly Liske (Hayes On Track)                       15.59
 
Elite Males
 
1 Doug Swanson (Trek / VW)                          1.47.17
2 Jeff Hall (Salsa Cycles)                             0.03
3 Tristan Schouten (PCW Cycling)                       0.19
4 Cole House (All-Aboard/Teaam 2/Belgioioso)           1.35
5 Brian Matter (PCW Cycling)                           1.47
6 Mike Phillips (Alterra Cycling)                      3.57
7 A J Ettmayer, Jr (Team Pedal Moraine)                4.12
8 Ian Stanford (Nature Valley/Penn Cycle)              4.16
9 Jesse Lalonde (Kenwood / Gunnar)                     5.35
10 Brian Eppen (Atlas Cycling)                         5.38

Local results 2004

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