Friday, August 12, 2011

Kim Hopkins Wins 7 Oaks MTB Race

Kim showed why she left road racing to concentrate on the dirt by taking first place in the Cat 2 race. If you have ever riden with Kim on the dirt, you can see her exceptional bike handling skills. If there ever was a course that demanded that, it is 7 Oaks.

Congrats to Kim for this outstanding victory.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

State Road Race Championship to Megan!

Megan Kelly road the race of her life time and held off the field to take first place in the State Road Race Championship. With this she added 10 more points to her total for Iowa Cup Points. She currently leads all of the women in Cat 4. With one more race to go in the series, she is a lock-in to take the title.

In the Cat 3, Loren came off of the injure reserve list to place 2rd. She showed her very strong biking skills to rock this Cat. Next year she and Dee should give the Mercy gals a strong run for the money.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann

VeloRosa Takes Medals at Clear Lake

What a weekend of racing it was in Mid-July in Clear Lake. A beautiful Saturday opened to an outstanding Crit race. Not only was it the always competitive Clear Lake Crit it also was the Iowa State Crit Championship.

In the Women's Cat 4, reigning Iowa Cup leader, Megan Kelly took first in a hotly contested race. Lee hung on for a lucky 13th place.

In the Women's Cat 3 Dee Mable too time off from the gravel to place 4th.

In the Women's State Championship, Megan took First in Cat 4 and Lee 10th. Dee took 2nd in the Cat 3 race.

First time racer Jason Simpson, in the Men's Cat 5, took 3rd overall and places 2nd in the State Championship. Not only did he rock the pink, he rocked the Cat 5 with this stellar first showing. Whomever said men don't look good in pink? That person never saw said man on the podium!!!!

On Sunday, the racers met again to take on the lengthy road race through the rolling hills around Clear Lake. This time two men in pink showed up at Tobin Bennett joined medal-winner Jason to take on the Cat 5 group. Unfortunately, Jason flatted almost right out of the start which kept pink from taking the top two spots. Tobin road on in his first race and took 3rd.

The Women's Cat 4 lined up pink racers Megan, Lee and Melinda Reese joined in this race. Melinda looked strong riding through the pack to sit just off of the front. Megan held her own out front with a strong Mercy contingent behind her. Lee showed her mettle when she recognized the group's break away and went with them. For the first time in her career she stayed with the lead pack and finished 9th overall. Melinda held on to the back of the pack and ended up 11th. Megan put on a great ride and finished 3rd overall.

Dee hung with the leaders in the Cat 1, 2 3 race to take 3rd in the Cat 3 race. She looked strong again at this longer distance.

Wow! That was the most awesome weekend of pink racing. Many thanks to Lisa B and Kim H for coming up to cheer. If you have not been to Clear Lake, put it on your calender for next year. Outstanding racing along with great BBQ and blues music.

Your Roving Race Reporter,

Luann