Gopher Cycling Blog

The U of M MTB team was in Iowa this past weekend to race on Saturday. It got off to a slow start thanks to some road construction on 35 going South, but an extra couple hours in the car didn't seem to phase anyone the next day at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area.

In the men's A race, Ben P took second behind a UND rider, followed by Matt K in third. Here's what Matt had to report:

"The
course was short and smooth, especially compared to the 3+ hour race in
Kansas the previous weekend. It suited most Minnesota riders very well due
to it's similarity to both Theo Wirth and the World Famous Buck Hill.

The Men's A race got off to a fast start down a gravel road and not far
into the woods the whole group was blown apart with a Mankato rider leading,
Ben Portilla and a UND rider chasing and myself not far behind. The race
ended up in almost that exact order except the UND rider was able to squeeze
by Ben, who was having foot problems from squeezing into some borrowed
shoes."

The men's B race was also very successful, with Chris K ending up in second place. Here is his report:

"This was my first race ever, so it was a little rough going, but overall pretty fun. We started with the A guys, so the start was very fast. There
were four of us in the class and we all went into the single track
together. I entered in third behind the two guys from Iowa (I think the
guy in second was Iowa??). The one Iowa guy pulled way out in front as the
N.Dakota guy and myself were having trouble getting by the 2nd Iowan. He
eventually let us by and I caught the 1st Iowa guy in a few minites. The
N.Dakota guy was a ways back by this point. I rode on Iowa's butt until he
crashed into the trees. Couldn't get by him because there was no where to
go, but I passed him shortly after. From then on, I led the B class until
about 1/2 way through the second lap. Being my first race, I discoverd the
pain of cramps (a lovely feeling). N. Dakota passed me and I never saw him
again. To make matters worse, my rear scewer was not hoding, so my rear
wheel was falling off. Stopped and tightened it down as best I could.
Finished with absolutly no energy left and feeling the worst pain in my
legs.

I love this sport! The Iowa(?) guy ended up dropping out after the
1st lap, and the other Iowa guy dropped out somewhere also. I ended up
with second about 10 to 15 min behind N. Dakota."

I am sure the women did well, too, but I have not heard any results or reports. They will be posted here as soon as I get ahold of them. Stay posted. . .