Clean sweep at MTU Ronde for Culver's Racing

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Houghton, MI 
Tyler Gauthier of Ishpeming and Cooper Dendel of Marquette captured the men's and women's editions of the 2012 Michigan Tech MTB Rondevous this weekend. Contested on the hilly and technical Michigan Tech Trails under hot and humid conditions, there was no place to hide. Downhills taxed nerves, uphills seared the lungs and the wide open fields in the lower reaches captured the sun's midday rays like a giant solar collector, delivering it's payload of photons onto the lycra clad bodies of the two-wheeled competitors.

An elite selection of three went clear early in the first of the two 12-mile laps. Pete Karinen (Atlantic Mine) set pace for fellow Culver's rider and team captian Tyler Gauthier. Also in the mix was defending champion Tom Carpenter of Marquette. The deck was shuffled several times before Gauthier made his move and set off for victory on his own early in second lap. Riding solo, Gauthier put over four minutes on his nearest competitor, Pete Karinen. Tom Carpenter finished third, just over three minutes down on Karinen. Jeff Squires, riding singlespeed, took fourth and is sure to be a factor in the singlespeed divison of this weekend's Bells's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Festival.

In the one-lap 12-mile race, it was Red Jacket rider Tim Kostner of Dodgeville who took the win. Michael Brothers of Houghton took second with Ken Wikgren rounding out the podium. Cooper Dendel of Marquette, riding for Culver's Cycling, made it 2 for 2 after her win in the Great Deer Chase with another victory. Second place in the women's division went to Kate Waring.

Story Courtesy of www.bikethekeweenaw.com

Tyler's Race Report

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With most of the team on the line for the MTU Ronde it was my goal to include as many blue jerseys at the front as we could.  This was perfect day to throw the Jr's and woman's team to the front to gain some experience.

Our outstanding Jr. Pete K. and rising Jr. Cody M. were on the line.  I told them follow me and we will get to the front.  I also told Cooper, our knar shredding woman, to work hard to be with us.  Pete took the challenge serious and led the lead out for quite awhile.  I jumped in front to give his hard effort a break and then right before the single track Tom C. took the lead.  This stretched the group out a bit and Pete K. and I were the only ones of the team to make the break.   

Pete dug deep to stay with us but by the end of the 1st lap he was leading us through the single track.  It was an incredible feeling to see one of my Jr's at the front and wonderful to race with a teammate.  Starting lap 2 I went to the front to do some work for my guy and slowly noticed a gap was forming.  This was a good setup as it allowed Pete to learn how to race at the front with a teammate and then create a race of his own when a teammate has developed a lead.

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On the 2nd lap I found a good groove and rode to a victory.  The win was good but I waited patiently at the finish line to see if Pete could make a race of his own.  Sure enough a few minutes later Pete rolled in by himself to secure 2nd place.

A perfect day!