Monsters of the Midway 2012

The Illinois Cup returned last weekend, taking a trip to Hyde Park on the campus of UIC U of C for one of the areas longest running races. It seems lately that wonderfully sunny weeks are replaced by unforgiving and unpredictable weekends. Saturday was no different with the morning races getting poured on. Eventually the weather let up–a little at least. It seemed that the rain would stop only to start just before the next race went off. Unfortunately, this likely contributed to the several crashes throughout the day.

Still, it was a day filled with bold attacks and intense sprints, including Konrad Witt’s (ABD) first–and certainly not last–win as a 3–watch out world. Andy Kern (Bicycle Heaven) continues to be on a tear. As a 5, the quickest way to get your 10 in is to double up when you can. Audrius Dauderis did it in style, snagging wins in both the Cat 5 and Cat 4/5 races (he’s also unattached. Snag him while he’s cheap general managers!). After crashing in her first-ever crit last weekend, Ashley Korol (Bicycle Heaven) snagged her first victory in the women’s Cat 4 race. After an unfortunate wreck in the last lap that left Sammy’s riders Kyle Selph and Chris Curran on the tarmac, Sean Metz cleaned up for 3rd continuing Sammy’s strong showing in their first season. The same can be said for Enzo’s Nick Ramirez who finished 2nd behind Joe Bippus after an impressive 4th place last weekend. All these streaks make VeloPost think it needs a heat-meter. Hmmm…stay tuned.

Elsewhere this weekend, many were up in Wisconsin Muskego. PelotonStar has some nice coverage. Andrew Ulvestad (Rythm) was out at Collegiate National’s last week, here’s his report.

Next weekend PSIMET brings us back to the streets of Elgin and Fox River Grove for their Fox River Omnium.

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Race Reports

• Konrad Witt
• PJ Cavoto
• Betta Theta Pi Cycling
• Jake Walerius
• Jannette Rho
• Nick Ramirez