Tour of Galena 2012 Overall

Wow wow wow. What else can you say about a 4 day event across the beautiful rural roads of Jo Daviess County in and outside of Galena Illinois.  All of the pieces fell into place to make for a brutally challenging and fun weekend.  From the 90+ degree heat to the roaring hills and the additional challenges that xXx Racing added this year.

These challenges started Friday for the P/1/2 Men and P/1/2/3 Women for the opening stage circuit race.  In its first year, the Tour of Galena consisted only of 3 stages across two days of racing, but for 2012, they took it to another level with an incredibly challenging 7 mile loop outside of town that, frankly, makes the Fox River Grove race look like child’s play.

The action returned early the next morning in the 6 mile Time Trial (or 3.7 for some categories).  The course, though not entirely new, was a little longer this year. Just enough to add a couple more painful climbs for good measure.

After the morning session, the main show got underway in the form of a 22 mile loop road race that lasted 45 to 89 miles depending on  your category. Props go out to Rob Curtis of PSIMET Racing and PSIMET Custom Wheels for providing neutral handouts on the feed hill all afternoon.

Just as was the case last year, Sunday brought the action right to downtown Galena in, arguably, the only flat spot of the county.  A day for those not so fond of going up to show what they got.

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After all the dust settled, a few lost bottles, at least one new engagement, and a hell of a lot of great and heroic riding, here are your Tour of Galena Champions: