Is this the year? - Ronde van Skandia

Is this the year that another team or individual takes over the stranglehold the ACE Cycling team has had on the Ronde van Skandia?  In it's short but significant existence ACE has showed pure dominance taking home a victory in each of the years of this UP Classic.

The Ronde van Skandia is a UP Spring Classic held annually from the Bicyle Haus ie. Tom Mahaneys house and tours the cobbled, beat up, and dirt roads of Marquette County and more specifically Skandia Township.  Each year presents a new challenge to the riders but this year race director Tom Maheney has outdone himself ensuring relentless pain on the peleton.  He as added a 7 mile gravel road section to the already famous gravel sections including Sporley Lake Rd making the race 81 total miles.  Will this change the tactics, the strengths, the riders?  All to be seen on April 21st, 2012.

This race offers no guarantees.  The only guarantee is that Culvers Racing will have a strong representation and a realistic bid to take away the coveted Classic Crown.  Since the inception of Culvers Racing, 3 years ago, we have had small representation in the Ronde as a full team.  Just a short 3 years ago Tyler Gauthier made a bid for the victory with the help of teammate Ron Willimas but was nipped at the line by both ACE riders Dave Grant and the winner Matt Culligan.  Ron Williams rounded out the top 4.  Tyler and Ron threw every shot they had but the experienced classic ACE riders proved to be too smart and strong on that day.

It is a new year, with new passions, and new riders.  Coming so close a few years back Tyler has made a specific effort to become a specialist at the UP Classic races.  He started his bid and classic specific training a year ago with the winning of the inaugural La Fleche du Nord, a 75 mile classic through the unforgiving roads of the Keweenaw.  He has continued his training riding only Belgium like roads for the last 11 months.  He has ridden so many cobbled roads his hands have built a permanent bumper callus to protect the jarring vibrations of the ruthless cobble.  So much so the UCI is investigating the freak phenomenon.  They are claiming that the natural grown callus is good for at least 2-4 mph on the cobbles because it absorbs so remarkably.  After further review though, they have released him of no wrong doing and attributed it to his specific training style.

To help with that bid there will be a plethora of Culvers blue in the peleton this year.  Toeing the line will be:

• Tyler Gauthier
• Ron Willimas
• Danny Hill
• Glen Lerlie
• Pete Karinen
• Collin Kytta
• Cody McGrath
• Cooper Dendel
• Gerry Koski

With array of different style riders no one on the Culvers team can be counted out.  Especially the seasoned Danny Hill.  Coming off 2 "Men of all Men" races, the Tour Divide and AZ Trail 300, you can never count out the toughness of this man.  Also with experience is Ron Williams and Glen Lerlie.  Coming in 4th a few years back the experience and climbing ability of Ron will surely keep the attacks to a minimum. Glen is one of the smartest guys in the peleton and has a knack for keeping the team together and strong.  Then there is the youth of the squad.  How can you count out the young and fresh legs of Pete, Collin, Cody, and Cooper.  It is truly meant when said, "Youth is on your side."

Rumor is the Belgium and Culvers crazies have been body painting for days now.  The gravel climbs are rumored to have only a one lane option.  With so much hype and talent the Ronde is a must see and ride this year.