La Crosse Omnium Recap

Fun weekend of racing in La Crosse - definitely recommend putting it on your schedule for next year! The team was well represented in the 3-event race (road race, uphill time trial, and crit) with Dale, Barney, Jay, Dirk, Gordy, Mike, Jim, Glen, David S, Eric, Diane, and Arrietta all racing. The weather cooperated nicely, with the only issue being a slight rain delay for the start of the time trial. (Given it was an uphill time trial, I know several racers were hoping it would be canceled!)

The road course was pretty tough given the long, somewhat rolling, head wind section through the start/finish area, a long sweeping downhill through the valley, and then, of course, back up along a relatively long hill. All of the races seemed to split apart during the multiple laps with the wind and hill taking its toll, with race highlights being Dirk taking 3rd in the M1/2/3, David S 8th in the M3/4, Arrietta 4th in the Women's Open, and Diane 1st in the Masters Women.  The rest of us helped block for our teammates in the breaks, but mostly tried to survive the course!

The uphill time trial (up Grandad's Bluff) - 2.5 miles with gradients up to 16% or so and taking place after a hard road race earlier in the day - made for a lot of "happy campers!" As I came back down the course, the faces of those heading up told me I was not the only one who felt the pain! The team again had a good showing with Eric taking 2nd and Dirk 4th in the M1/2/3, Gordy 2nd in the 50+, Glen 5th in the M3/4, and Arrietta 1st in the Women's Open. 

The crit on Sunday was located downtown with the home stretch being along the lake - a pretty nice course (and it stayed dry all day despite the forecast of rain!). The impressive ride of the day was from Gordy, who decided to attack on the second lap, and then rode solo for the rest of the race to win by over 50 seconds - I was getting tired just watching!  Top ten finishes by Dirk, Mike, and Glen capped a successful weekend of racing for the team.