AE State Team Trial Squad - Update

IOWA STATE TEAM TRIAL - Looks like we are NOT going to field a squad and attempt to take home the gold medal. We have three riders, but can't talk anybody into being the 4th... I am sure other teams are having trouble fielding squads as well...   the thought of rotating through with TJ Tollakson (pro-triathlete) and Paul Deninger (multiple time State TT champ) did inspire a couple of super-intense workouts this week, so it wasn't all that bad for me to think this was going to happen, and then have it not pan out... Dang, I really do want to enter a team time trial someday... maybe next year...

2012 Iowa State Championships Road Race



The 2012 Cat 1,2 Road Race during the early stages.

The 2012 Iowa State Cat 1,2 Road Race was held in Riverside, Iowa this year.  The race involved racing  97 miles using 32 mile loops.  The event had a great feel this year, as Riverside was very accommodating and happy to have us.  I had a great feel as well, having gotten in some good training  mileage over the last few weeks.  Having the State Time Trial the week before this event does put me in pretty good form, as I have plenty of motivation to stay in shape.



Staging just before the start.  The race combined the Cat 1,2 with the Cat 3's, for a field of just over 40.



Paul Deninger ended up being the only other member from my team to enter the event, but we still created a 'plan of attack' as we were both feeling capable of achieving a successful result.   With only two guys, you don't have a lot of cards to play, but it seemed like we could get into a break if we traded turns covering attacks.  The other teams represented included Bikes2You, Iowa City, Zealous, Thrive, and Rasmussen's... not to mention quite a few out of state riders.

Me and Paul led the neutral start through Riverside... aka, the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk.

 Everyone kept their cool for a few miles, but then the attacks began.  Eventually Brian Eppen (ICCC) and Andrew Ulvestad (Rhythm Racing-Chicago) formed a two-man break.  This move dangled out in front all throughout the first lap as riders took turns trying to bridge up. The field wasn't working together to bring this back, so it wasn't until almost half way through the second lap until it was caught.

Mike Sencenbaugh(Thrive Racing) was a guy I had marked prior to the event, as he has been winning all sorts of events this year.  He was very aggressive trying to make it up the road. 

The first time through the 'feed zone' ended up being the 'attack zone' as I was red-lined all throughout the town
of Riverside trying to get back up after the field split.  The race never got that intense again.

I was still feeling great, and anticipating Iowa City's counter-attack.  Sure enough, Jeff Barnes countered and I stuck onto his wheel.  We both dug deep to establish a nice gap.  A rider from Bikes2You initially tried to join us, so the break was looking good.  Unfortunately, he only rotated through once and then disappeared.  This wasn't our intention, but we were going 'all-in' at this point, so it was a struggle to hang on. 

It ended up being another two-man break with about 47 miles to go in the race.  I really liked the idea of being in a break with Jeff, because he had just won the State Time Trial, and we have similar riding styles.  However, we really did need another guy or two from the other teams, as there was still a lot of motivation back in the field.

We kept on fighting, as the ref was giving us time splits.  It went back and forth from well over a minute to as little at 25 seconds.  Yet they didn't pull us in as the miles elapsed. I started to entertain notions of being the 2012 Iowa State Road Race champ.  However, it really didn't seem likely that the field wouldn't pull us in.  Our only hope was that someone would bridge up, or they would eventually lose interest in the chase.

So, after being in the break for over 40 miles, they finally caught us.  I was expecting to get spit out the back as the field paraded by my peripheral vision.  But, much to my surprise, I was still feeling pretty good.  I didn't have anymore snap in my legs, but if the field was reserved, I felt that I could take a stab at a good finish.  There was only about 7 miles left to race, so I tucked in near the back of the much reduced field of about 18 remaining riders.  Apparently, the efforts to reel us in had exhausted some of the other competitors.  I heard reports that Mike Sencenbaugh and Andrew Buntz (Bikes2You) were especially determined, as evidenced by their decision to cut the race short.  Andrew's efforts set the stage, however, for a great result for his team.

There was one point when I almost got dropped, but the field was definitely timid at this point.  It was obvious that we were going to sprint it out, and I believe some guys were experiencing a bit of cramping and/or hunger knock.

The finish was a very long straight-away just on the city limits of Riverside.  We could see it about a mile out.  They opened the road for us at the 1k mark, which was great.  I dodged around trying not to get pinned in. When the dust settled I came across the line as the 10th cat 1,2.  I was satisfied, as my initial goal was to get into the top 10.  I haven't got a lot of envelopes this year, so it was just nice to have gotten one, regardless of the amount of cash inside.  Paul finished just ahead of me in the 8th spot.


Lee Venteicher (far left) of Bikes2You/WorldOfBikes went on to win the State Title.


After the race, there was a great party/results ceremony with pizza and beer.  The mayor of Riverside even got involved in the festivitites, as they seemed excited to have us back again next year. 

Results - Cat 1,2 - Iowa State Road Race Championships - August 11th, 2012

1 Lee Venteicher Waukon, IA - Bikes To You / World of Bikes

2 Steven Robinson (1 - Cat2) - Des Moines, IA  Zealous Racing

3 David Carpenter (2 - Cat2) - Norwalk, IA Rasmussen Bike Shop
4 Jay Thomas (3 - Cat2) - Lincoln, NE Midwest Cycling Community NE
5 Andrew Ulvestad (4 - Cat2) Chicago, IL Rhythm Racing

6 Matias Perret (5 - Cat2) Iowa City, IA -Iowa City Cycling Club

7 Garrett McAllister (6 - Cat2)  Bend, OR - Canyon Bicycles-Draper
8 Paul Deninger Iowa City, IA Velosport Iowa /American Equity
9 Jerome Rewerts (7 - Cat2) -Nevada, IA- Zealous Racing

10 Chad Bishop (8 - Cat2) Muscatine, IA - American Equity Racing Team

11 Austin Turner (9 - Cat2) Iowa City, IA - Bikes To You / World of Bikes

12 Jeff Barnes Iowa City, IA - Iowa City Cycling Club

13 Adam Price (10 - Cat2) Iowa City, IA -Iowa City Cycling Club
14 William Greenwood (11 - Cat2) Davenport, IA -Bikes To You / World of Bikes
15 Joe Hetrick (12 - Cat2) Iowa City, IA -Mercy-Specialized

16 David Lippold (13 - Cat2) West Des Moines, IA -Thrive Cycling Team

17 Finn Kolsrud (14 - Cat2) Iowa City, IA - Thrive Cycling Team
DNP David Paquette (Cat2) Decorah, IA -KS Energy Services / Team Wisconsin

DNF Derek Cassaday (Cat2) Des Moines, IA 220786 25 Bikes To You / World of Bikes

DNF Michael Sencenbaugh Carroll, IA -Thrive Cycling Team

DNF Ryan Nenninger Iowa City, IA - Iowa City Cycling Club

DNF Andrew Buntz Iowa City, IA -Bikes To You / World of Bikes

DNF Brian Eppen Iowa City, IA - Iowa City Cycling Club

DNF Ryan French (Cat2) Des Moines, IA - Zealous Racing

State Championships - Time Trial Gold

State Time Trial

I was happy to get another Gold Medal to add to my 2012 Iowa State Championship collection, as I won the Category 2 division.  Unfortunately, I didn't pull of any sort of special result, as I had an outside chance of winning the event overall and getting the coveted championship jersey. The cat 1's edged me out again, with Jeff Barnes winning overall with teammate Paul Deninger not far behind. RESULTS

The conditions weren't favorable for what I think I need to pull of a PR. I prefer a headwind out and tailwind back.  Instead it was kind of like screaming down a roller coaster on the way out, only to turn around and have to grind up the climb on the way back.  This course is basically flat, so the wind was providing the 'climbing/decending'.  I was also hoping for it to be on the warm side, as that seems to slow the others down a bit... rather it was an absolutely perfect day, oh well.

A bit of a different situation at the start of a 40k TT, then at the finish.

I have been watching the Olympics, and appreciated how participating in this time trial put me in a similar circumstance as the Olympians.  I could relate to the pressures of hoping to perform, and the desire to have all of your training pay-off with some sort of accomplishment.  I can say that I set myself up to win regardless of the result, as I am really in this bike racing thing for the ultimate pay-off... a healthy, active, wellness-based lifestyle.  I am planning on trying again next year...  though I will admit that training for time trials is almost more fun then entering them.

State Road Race

I have been maintaining my form in hopes of being competitive at this years 97 mile State Road Race in Riverside Iowa.  The new course is challenging, and the distance will create for a grueling endeavor.  I smell blood, though, and am going in for the kill.  July was an ass-kicker, and I am not sure how many Cat 1,2 cyclists made it through without burning out.  Check back to see how it panned out.

State Team Time Trial
Speaking of burn-out, it is not looking good for my ambitions to enter the 2012 State Team Time Trial, as I don't think I will be able to convince anyone else besides Paul Deninger to enter.  Putting together a composite team wouldn't make sense, as you only get awarded the designation of State Champions if all four members are from the same squad.  The concept of a team trial seems intriguing... this would be an event where we would literally be relying on each other as a team.  I started to think about how we would organize the intervals and rotations, etc... probably need to stop thinking about it, and just call it a road season after the RR... dang.

August Racing... the drought is over.

Some of my favorite races of the year are approaching, as I successfully suffered through the RAGBRAI induced racing drought in Iowa... can't blame race directors for not wanting to have races that conflict, but I get the feeling that a lot of 'racer types' tend to burn-out about this time of the year, and not having local racing options might be a contributing factor.  Of course,the blazing hot temps may have been discouraging as well. 

So onward, as I look forward to the Iowa State Time Trial, Road Race, and Team Time Trial. 

Unfortunately, the East Village Critierium is the day before the State Time Trial, so probably will opt out of that one... too bad, because the East Village Crit is a great event, and would be much more fun than riding my bike in a straight line for 40k.  I really wish they were on seperage weekends, or that the TT was on Saturday.  Oh well, I can watch the Olympics, and spend some quality time with my son on Saturday.



Matias Perret has already won the Criterium jersey, but there are three more left to be awarded.



I am sort of interested to see if I can get my hands on one of the new State Championship jerseys.  Only one awarded in each discipline (crit/road/tt/cross) to the top Iowa Cat 1,2.  Teammate Paul Deninger and legendary powerhouse Jeff Barnes probably would have to be considered the 'favorites' for the time trial.  I came in third to them in 2011, after winning the event in 2010.  Your guess is as good as mine, as to what kind of ride I will have, I just hope American Equity can bring home the jersey and that I can get another gold medal in the Category 2 division.

After that is the 97 mile State Road Race.  I previewed the new route and was surprised by the challenging profile of the first half of the 32 mile loop.  It seemed like a never ending rolling climb.  Just as you crest one hill, another one looms off into the distance.  Should be 'epic'.   I feel pretty strong, having made some adjustments based on the situation at the Quad Cities Road Race.  Not sure who is going to show up from my team other than Paul, but I am prepared to leave it all out on the course. I will shoot for a top ten result (in the money).  If we have 3 or more guys, then my goal will be team-based, and aimed at getting one of us on the podium.  Again, the State RR jersey would be a nice acquisition for the American Equity Team.  I will have to wait to see who shows up before I decide on my ambitions...  Of course, just simply finishing a 97 mile race against Cat 1,2's is not something I should take for granted.  I will have to race smart if I hope to still be with the group until the end.

I have been wanting to race a Team Time Trial ever since I got into racing against the clock 5 years ago.  It has never panned out, as I can never seem to find 3 other guys to race with.   Last year was my best shot, as I was on a team that had plenty of guys with TT bikes, however the race was cancelled.

So, this could be the year, but only time will tell if the AE squad is able to put together a team.  I will be ready to go.  I have never ridden my TT bike over 30 miles, so this will be a new experience for me, if it pans out... one that I will definitely look forward to.  If American Equity fields a squad I will be very surprised if we don't win... (a little smack talk, deal with it).