Time for a quick recap and opinion on WORS #8 in Franklin,
WI.
This race can be considered my home race. Although it might
be better to call Cam-Rock my home race, I grew up about a 15 minute drive from
then Crystal Ridge, now The Rock. I rode there a lot when I was just getting
started. And once I had a drivers license, I was there after school as often as
I could borrow my parents car. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve
ridden there, but it still has the feel of a home race. My family and friends
always make it out.
This weekend was different, everyone was there. KS Energy
Services/Team Wisconsin was there in force. We has three tents set up and
something like 10+ people racing. Not to mention we were all over the podium
with riders getting top spots in age class and overall. Plus some old friends
showed up. My best friend from when I was little was there, Alex. We used to
ride as kids and he’d always kick my butt. It was really fun to ride with him
again and see him race. The parents were there and even some teammates there
just to watch. Pretty awesome.
The race itself went pretty well. I’d be lying if I claimed
that I was in top shape. I’m on the back side of a long period of travel and
big races and I’m coasting on what I’ve got left. There was a hole shot prime
up for grabs, but in a MTB race everyone goes hard anyways so you hope for a
good start like always and then if you find yourself in a position to take the
money, you’ll dig for it. But I didn’t have the best start and spent the first
lap making a few passes and playing catch up. But once that happened, it was
all about holding position and trying to follow attacks; I couldn’t. I was
struggling to hold 3rd and 4th but when Nate started to
catch me we caught the guys in front, possibly because they eased up as well.
That big group was a great opportunity to rest and take a great 3rd
place, but I just didn’t have it in me. Those last laps were painful.
But before I close this out, I want to give my opinion of
the “new” course. The majority of it is the same, fast flowy single track and tight
turns sprinkled in. But the new section they added in were something of a disappointment.
The old course had a very fun downhill that they took out to make a downhill
run. They should have included something technically challenging in at least
the Pro/Elite race. I had a chance to check some of it out and it would have
been really cool to race on and certainly a spectacle. And if I’ve learned
anything from racing Pro XCTs and Mont Sainte Anne, WORS racing could use a
little more technically challenging courses. We don’t have the natural elements
for it, but it’s clear that some of the courses are purpose made to be easy.
But I’m not complaining too much because the races are still
well run, the courses are exciting, and people make it one of a kind. I just think it would help improve the young rider development if the races we more challenging.
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