Both WORS and the MNSCS providing racing action this past weekend. Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN played host for race #9 in the MNSCS the Powder Monkey, and WORS racers traveling to Lake Geneva, WI on September for race #9 in that series as well, Treadfest. With summerlike weather this month, hard to believe the Chequemegon Fat Tire Festival is this weekend! A look at the top riders in the 40 shooting for high results caps this weeks report.

Marko Lalonde took the win in Men's Elite tuning up nicely for this upcoming weekend besting Brian Matter and Mike Phillips by less than a minute with Nathan Guerra and Darrin Braun rounding out the tip five respectively. On the women's side, Kim Eppen took the win, also tuning up for this upcoming weekend ahead of Abigail Strigel, Robin Williams, Lisa Krayer and Meghan Korol.
  WORS recap
  Results 

Brendan Moore took yet another win in the MNSCS Men's elite with Sam Oftedahl in second, Michael McBurney in third (who will be a Jr rider to watch in the Short and Fat at Chequemegon), Jesse Rients in fourth and Spirit Mountain local and trail builder, Scott Kylander-Johnson, in fifth. Scott's wife Sara, took top honors in women's Elite with a convincing win of 7 minutes over fellow mom and Duluthonian Dianna McFadden, Jennifer Nowlin and Lyn Peterson rounding out the top five.
  Results

The mighty and popular Chequamegon is on tap for this weekend. After a dry summer, rains the first part of the month filled up the usual potholes but dry conditions as of late and grading of various roads is setting up for fast conditions. Of course, this can all change with Mother Nature having the final say but at this point, it looks to be a day for course record potential. The Chequamegon is certainly like no other mountain bike event in the Midwest. One of the few events and probably the only mountain bike event that runs on a lottery system, limiting the number of riders who can race on Saturday. Most of the top racers in the region including road and cyclocross specialists who hit the dirt this lone time of the the year, a complete mix bag of bikes including the fading 26 hardtail, full suspensions bikes, the growing in popularity and tagged "best bike for Chequemegon" 29er, along with the usual cross bikes in the mix, make this event stand out like nothing else.

Top riders ready to rip it up.

Title sponsor of Chequemegon, Trek bicycles, did not sponsor a domestic Professional team this season instead focusing on the World Cup so riders like Lea Davison will not be in attendance and defending her title. Lance Armstrong appearance rumors have been floating around, and would make sense with Lance's Trek bicycle connection and interest in mountain biking, (Leadville 100 and CO state Championship wins)  but a check with race director Gary Crandall earlier this week reports: "We asked but he isn't coming...one of these years" and added "Travis Brown and I exchanged emails and he is headed to Durango for the SSWC (singlespeed world champs) - and JHK and Heather Irmiger are heading to a World Cup race".

Looking at the preferred start list, there is a solid list of riders that have the potential to take the win and an exciting race should be on tap. Last year the top 6 riders were within a minute, making for an exciting finish. Expect the same with fast conditions, making it harder for riders to get away until the end. A review of the top riders with a focus on a few individuals not hitting the radar on previous releases:

Top Men

Jeff Hall- The former 40 Champion, who placed second last year, seconds behind champion Jonathon Page, has picked up the training a notch this year which included a few races. Unlike other years where Jeff was racing a full plate that included World Cups and National events, his focus is on Chequamegon and racing on a 26 hardtail (which brings music to my ears). I am putting him as the clear favorite.

TJ Woodruff- Probably the top all around mountain biker in the Midwest, TJ comes off the cross country and overall stage race win at Maplelag over Labor day weekend. TJ has raced around the country this year from Sea Otter in California, US PRO XCT racing in Alabama, and US MTB National Championships in Colorado where he scored a silver in the singlespeed division. The area native has the course dialed, has a right attitude in that he doesn't throw all the marbles for the season in this race but still throws everything down and will one day win this race.

Brian Matter- Another former 40 winner, the marathon specialist has somewhat cherry picked his events this year, all with solid results and a few wins including the big Ore to Shore victory back in August. Gearing up for the cyclocross season where he was part of the World's team, Matter has Triple crown thoughts smack dab in the middle of the cross hairs. Jake said he is his top pick.

Lalonde Bros- Marko has definitely stepped it up a notch this year, killing it in the WORS series and crossing over from singlespeed action to gears. Jesse has the taste of what it takes to pull off the win, in singlespeed action of course, and will be up at the front if all is going well.

Doug Swanson- Like I said last year, Doug races to win. Full throttle, all out, hell bent for election. When Doug is on, he is on and the course record holder is a rider others should fear if he is at the front after Fire tower. If he is having a good day, he won't deem it risky throwing it all in the pan and go off the front.

Pat Lemieux-  Who is Pat Lemieux? Patty Cakes, as his hometown fans in Fargo, ND named him so (back in the day), is a rider shooting for a top five finish when I talked to him last weekend. The 2008 MN State CX champion hasn't put much time in the dirt but did do a full race recon of the 40 course over Labor Day weekend. P-Cakes spent part of his early days of cycling zipping up and down the technical lakeside drops at Maplelag and also put in some sweat hours building some of the singletrack at Maplelag which puts Pat top of my list, regardless of his race finish. Has an engine and if he taps into those early learned skills, look out.

Jack Hinkens- JR rider, opting out of racing the Short and Fat to tackle on the 40. Jack, who stormed the Elite scene in the MNSCS, went out west the day before US MTB championships and scored a 4th place finish at 10,000 feet in Jr.17-18, beating riders who competed at the World Championships last weekend. Jack was also part of the second place team at the Salsa 2-4, the big 24 hour race at Afton putting in the second fastest time behind Brendan Moore and showing he has the endurance as well as speed. Although Jack comes from one of the nicest families I have ever met in mountain biking, he races with a passion and desire seen in few. This includes the Nordic scene where I watched him completely pick apart the skate field at the state HS meet, posting one of the top times. Jack makes me think of what former 40 winner Gene Obrepiller said about Jeff Hall when Jeff took the win the first year "no one thought he could do it and he proved us all wrong".

Bjorn Selander- Former Short and Fat winner, did some big time racing in Europe on the road with the U23 development team. Has the fitness to be at the front. Could be a surprise.

Cole House- U23 rider won't be afraid to attack from the get go, like last year, and one of these years it might just stick.

Steve Tilford- Has had a bit of a rough summer of sorts with infections but the three time winner is always a factor and has the crafty experience to make the right move at the right time.

Landon Lueck- Posted a solid fourth place finish last year. A top five finish demands respect and a rider that focuses on a single event is someone to make note of. Having a bit of an off year but anything can happen in Chequamegon.

Cam Kirkpatrick- Once again Cam has had a full plate of mountain bike racing and training, hitting races in WI, MN, NE, and his native IA and another huge training camp in the Colorado high country. Probably the fastest, pure mountain biker "old guy" in the country at 43, the guy has an engine and is always right up there with the young guns.

Tristan Schouten- Took the cross country win at WORS cup. It's been a bit of an up and down season but some recovery time and focus on Chequamegon could have him at the front if wheels are moving proper.

Mike Anderson- Placed second by two seconds behind Matter at Ore to Shore, from Alpena, MI will be a rider to watch for if things are going well.

Adventure 212 Riders Chris Peariso and Mike Phillips- Chris Peariso had a impressive 5th place finish this year and started out strong with a high finish at Sea Otter before focusing on endurance events and burning out a bit. Mike Phillips started out slower, has come on strong and wouldn't be surprised if he improves on last year's 6th place finish.

Michael Simonson- Another Michigan rider who has the potential to be at the very top if all is going well. Has had some bad luck in recent years but if he is at the front, it should be no surprise.

Ian Stanford- Time trial specialist on the road. Off the radar with no mountain bike racing on the agenda but always has good fitness and consistent top finishes.

Michael Olheiser- Don't know much about this Huntsville, AL rider but 12th place finish last year was right on and back for more fat tire frenzy.

Jason Lummis- Pinckey, MI rider always in the top 20 mix.

Darrin Braun- Has had a solid season racing in the WORS. Top 20 potential.

Top Women

Jenna Rinehart- The clear favorite. Has dominated the Midwest scene with marathon racing win at Ore to Shore, stage race wins at the WORS cup and Maplelag MNSCS stage race along with top 10 National placings. Took 2nd last year after first time win in 2007.

Kyia Anderson- Former winner in 1999 has once again had a full plate of racing this summer, hitting the Midwest scene, National races and a couple Canada Cups. Always has the Chequamegon in the back of her mind.

Abbigail Strigel- Solid season in 2009 in WORS.

Catherine Walberg- Former winner in 1991, 2000 and 2001 still keeping the wheels moving nicely.

Holly Liske- Top five finisher in 2008.

Erin Vicary- White Lake Michigan rider.

Rebecca Sauber- Likes the longer races, should improve on last year's 6th place finish.

Anne Grawboski- Top finisher in recent years. Put in some big miles during 24 hour racing the Salsa 2-4 few weeks back.

Robin Williams- Consistent top five finisher in the WORS.

Meghan Korol- Coming on strong end of the season.

Sara Morse- Top 10 rider last year, the Nordic skier could also move up a few spots this year.

Short and Fat Contenders

An interesting mix of old and young. Some of the younger riders to watch for as Jake tries to defend his title include Michael McBurney, Luke Baker, Trent Warner and Evan Hartig who should move up like he has the past few years. Cindy Bijold always a favorite.

Big list of riders for Chequamegon. Lots of tabs open. I'm sure a few riders were missed. Notable riders absent opting out this year include top MNSCS riders Brendan Moore and Sam and Eric Oftedahl. Should be a great race with some exciting battles from top to bottom. Have a great race!

Keep the wheels moving!