WORS #3/Wausau - Tyler's Race Report

Wausau was my first ever Pro/Elite race.  I was no longer playing with the boys I was going to work with the men and with it being over 100 degrees in the direct sun at race start it had the potential to be a very hard day at work.  

The course was not well suited to my strengths.  It had 50% two track road and 50% single track.  The only thing that really slanted in my favor was the two kickers about half way in the race, typically I like to see those hills with some more single track and accelerations.  With it being so wide open I knew it would be fast, tempo group riding and I had to make every effort to be close to front when groups formed.  I've learned to calm myself this year in races and keep my energy low but being in with these guys spiked my HR to an amazing 152 before the race even started.  I was either really nervous or really ready to go.  The countdown started and I through all thoughts out of my mind. The start was blazing, as they always are in MTB races and it was so dry the dirt cloud formed to the point where the guy in front of you disappeared in the haze.  Like the race wasn't hard enough I now had to work at keeping my eyes and throat clear of dust.  A line formed and I worked hard to pick my spots one at at time.  By about 1/4 way into the race I felt comfortable (in mind) with my position at about 20 spots back but was not comfortable (in body.)  The heat was extreme and the pace was fast and I was doubting that 4 laps were possible.  The first of the 2 hills approached and they were directly into the sun making even hotter but I knew I had to take advantage.  I made up a few more spots and settled in for the 1st lap.

The 2nd lap was pretty uneventful.  There were groups that formed and everyone pretty much settled with that.  The biggest thing for me on the 2nd lap was I regained some confidence.  I had recovered from the fast pace of the 1st lap and had a fresh cold bottle to feed on.  At the start of the 3rd lap I found myself at the front of our group with Tyler Jenema right behind.  I had a another cold bottle hand off and this one must of had some extra electrolytes because I found my 2nd wind.  I started some tempo hoping we could slowly bring the next group in while also putting some stress on the guys behind.  About 1/4 way into the lap I handed the duties off to Tyler J. and he continued the pressure and sure enough we pulled two guys in.  We got to the hills and I continued with the pressure with a solid effort up both hills and noticed on each one I was spreading the group out.  I sat up just a bit on the open flat to bring the group back together as I didn't feel that was the time to make a move.  The group reformed with all except for the one guy I really wished was there, Tyler J, he flatted at the top of the second hill and his race ended just like that. (He fixed his flat and his brake, which was on most of the race, and finished the race like a true competitor.)  I let a Polska guy set pace in the single track for the rest of the 3rd lap until the last small section where I jumped back to the front of the group.  I put on a little faster pace through this section and noticed coming out of it I had put on a small gap.  I grabbed another cold water hand off and figured as long as I felt good I would keep the pressure on.

At the start of the 4th lap I felt really good.  Good enough where I was comfortable not being with the group and wanted to make them work to catch me.  I managed to slowly put time on them and then the hills came again and I put in two monster attacks up them.  When I got the straight stretch I didn't want to look back so I kept the pressure on.  When I finally decided to look back I had noticed they were no longer in sight. This gave me another boost of energy and my mind changed modes to wheres the next group.  In the distance I could tell there was a solo rider with a two digit number meaning it was a Pro/Elite rider.  I was now on a mission to catch him.  Right before the half way point there is a longer gradual hill and I stood the whole thing trying to put as much time on as I could.  Coming into the last 1/4 of the lap I still could not see him.  Then with about 2 miles to go I had caught him.  He exchanged some encouraging words, (Thank Michael, it was nice to meet you and I look forward to racing with you again.)  I briefly passed him and never looked back.  Come to find out that was my most significant move of the whole race because it put me in the top 10.  Coming down the straight stretch I had some adrenaline from seeing my family and friends and I finished with a monster sprint.  My first Pro/Elite finish!  I was physically toast but I was on a mental high.  At the time I wasn't quite sure of my finish but I knew it would be top 15 which was completely acceptable to me.  Soon after spectators and family confirmed it was a 10th place finish.

I could not of asked for any better of a day.  From the excitement at the start, to the fun single track, to my fitness feeling great, to sharing the moment with friends and family at the end.  It was a great day.      

More action pictures to come from Straight A Photography.

Thank you to my wife, family, friends, and all my sponsors.

WORS Media

Slide #5!

Straight A Photography

Our team photographer, Amber Gauthier/Straight A Photography, captured some action from WORS #2.

Culvers Racing dominates WORS Podium

PRESS RELEASE

The Culvers Racing Team showed up to WORS #2 in Rhinelander ready to race.  The team placed 4 out of 6 riders on the podium in their respective divisions.  The course was set up with over 75% single track and it made the guys feel right at home maneuvering through the track.  It was a solid day for the team.

Comp Overall Results
1st: Tyler Gauthier  -  1st Age
2nd: Tom Carpenter  -  1st Age
17th: Justin Weber  -  6th Age
32nd: Glen Lerlie  -  3rd Age
56th: Tim Palomaki  -  15th Age

Open Overall Results
2nd: Danny Hill  -  2nd Age

Cable Classic and WORS #2/Rhinelander - Tyler's Race Report

May 15-16 brought a double race weekend. Saturday was the Cable Classic in Cable, WI and Sunday was WORS #2 in Rhinelander, WI. I had a great 2 weeks of training and although I was tired I was excited to be back on the road and on the bike. Cable is a fairly short drive from the UP but I forgot how in the middle of nowhere you really are. I was so far in the middle of the wilderness I was left with no cell phone coverage for over 24 hours. Although a little info deprived it was kind of nice to be away from it all.

Cable Classic

The Cable Classic course was a bit different this year and was set up to be over 75% single track (Best course to compare it to would be the Tour Da Woods.)  It started on a smooth fire road which kept the whole group together at about 25 mph. At about the 2 mile mark it abruptly turns into a 1 rider wide single track (with a 90 degree right hand turn.) As you can imagine, 50+ riders going 25 mph and then hitting the breaks to go into a 12 inch wide single track is not a pretty scene. I pre-rode the course the night before and knew this would be a big point in the race. I figured the top 10 guys in the single track would establish enough gaps and become the race. That's exactly what it did. Right before the single track I made a move to about 6th and sure enough the first pile up happened. Tyler Jenema and Tom Carpenter had the line and I was right behind them. Another guy tried to squeeze in and Tyler sent both into the trees but it also caused him to stumble. I stepped over Carp and the other guy and we quickly jumped back on. I went in about 6th or 7th with Tyler in front of me and Aaron Swanson and Carp right behind. A group of about 10-15 was established with small gaps between riders. We reached some two track and the tempo picked up and a group of about 5 was forming and pulling away. I jumped a guy's wheel and pulled up to the group. Not long after that we had put a small gap on the group behind. We stared up a slight hill and this was the changing point in my race. Aaron Swanson reached down to turn on his pro pedal and caused a slight stoppage of me and the guy behind. I had to put my foot down to establish balance. Aaron and I struggled to get back up to speed and the guy behind us jumped onto the group. The slight stop caused a gap which put me and Aaron on the chase. A quick wrong turn by Aaron and that left me chasing by myself. Still on two track I knew it was going to be hard to chase the group by myself but I pushed on. I raced by myself for the next 30 min or so chasing the group trying to keep them in sight. I approached the 2nd aid station and I would soon find out that would be the end of my day. The long course went left and the short course went right. Well.....I took a right and continued for several minutes. I didn't quite realize this until I saw a Mafia racing guy riding towards me. You could imagine the exchange of words, we were not pleased. We had both taken a wrong turn. Come to find out we were riding 6 & 7 and not far off the 2-5 group. I road the next 10 miles pretty relaxed knowing my day was over and came in 20th overall. We were not the only ones to get lost that day. The 2-5 group also took a wrong turn but it happened not to be as bad of a wrong turn as mine and the Mafia racer. The general consensus was the course was poorly marked with small signs that were posted on trees not on the ground. There were a couple of turns you had to actually process in your mind on what way to turn and that should happen in a race. Anyhow, I complained for awhile and figured it wasn't getting me anywhere so I moved on and was ready for Rhinelander.

WORS #2
Rhinelander was similar to Cable in that it was set up with over 75% single track.  It was going to be another tough day on the bike as the quick acceleration single track can ware on a guy.  The race started out on about 2 miles of fire road and moved smoothly into single track.  The Comp group stared last this week so we had the Women, Open, Jr's, and 35 & up in front of us.  With so much single track I knew passing would be the key to creating gaps.  On the first short section of single track I went in 3rd right behind Tyler Jenema.  We were both feeling good and knew we didn't want to be behind anyone for the next section so we hammered to the front and jumped in 1-2 on the next singe track.  Then the next 20 min consisted of, "Rider behind." "When you can.", "On your right.", "On your left." "Thank you." "Good job."  You get my point.  We did a lot of passing.  Because Tyler and I had done some passing in Iola we were actually pretty good and making 2 bikes become 1.  One of us would say, "When you can, on your right."  and pass quickly and the other would quickly say, "2 of us." and we would be pass in no time.  With the smooth passing and steady cadence we were able to create a gap fairly quickly.  We didn't have to say much we were both feeling good and you could see it.  Tyler and I shared the lead in and out of the single track putting on seconds with every pedal.  We had finally starting seeing some open space and picked up the tempo even more and then disaster struck for Tyler which left me solo for the rest of the race.  The sheer power of his pedal stroke snapped his derailleur right off.  At this time I was leading through some single track so I wasn't quite sure what was going on I just heard him yell, or what I thought was, "Go Go Go" but come to find out he yelled, "I broke my derailleur you're solo."  Anyhow hit gave me a burst of energy and I pounded the first lap out in about 44-45 minutes.  At the start of the 2nd lap I knew it was going to be important to get through the 2 track quickly so I took advantage of a group of riders from the open category until the single track.  I settled into a groove and went solo the 2nd lap for the victory.  My 2nd lap was a bit slower but I had a tough time gauging what tempo I should ride but regardless I felt good and had a little bit more in me.  This is officially my first victory of my mountain bike career.  It felt so good to make that jump and grab my first overall podium.

The 1st place was a great way to finish an awesome weekend of traveling and racing.  Better yet my wife and family were there to witness it.  It was a great feeling to share that victory with them.

Thank you to Culvers Racing and my family.

WORS #1

Check out slide #5!

WORS #1 - Tyler's Race Report

It's crazy how fast things move.  It doesn't seem all too long ago I was in Arizona putting on base miles thinking of the first race and now the first race is in the books.  I'm so excited to have the first one in and more importantly have it in with good results.  Races like Iola make everyday of training well worth the effort.

The unique thing about WORS races is the start time.  Comp and Pro racing doesn't start until 1:30 giving me plenty of time for relaxation and warm up.  Although hard to dial in the diet for an afternoon race I have to say I enjoy the later start as it allows me to chill in the morning with my coffee and gives me time to get my gear together at the race site.  After watching the Sport class start 2 hours of ahead of us it definitely prepared me for the my race and I was getting anxious to get the season underway.

I pulled up to the start line with Tyler Jenema and there was no doubt in my mind we were the best on the line.  I was confident in the training we had in our legs and even more confident in the drive we had to complete our first race with a good result.  Iola starts on a slight uphill and turns a corner to a red line uphill.  Its unique start to the race because you can't win the race on the hill but a poor start can take you out of the running immediately.  I jumped on the pedals and got cut off into about 10th position coming up the hill.  Tyler J. typically sets a good pace in the beginning and he was running 2nd up the hill so I when I saw this it was my goal to be wheel on wheel with him.  I slowly but steadily hammered the hill and picked off 1 by 1.  Coming down the first decent, which a fast roll down into the Iola ski jump bowl, I was running about 6th.  I was OK with this position and calm because I knew we had two climbs before the single track and flat section.  I tapped into my strength, punchy hills, and picked my way into 3rd and took over 2nd on the next decent.  I had caught Tyler J. on the next hill right before the flat and as any good ally would do he held up a split second for me to get on.  At this time we had already created a small gap and we had no intentions of giving the 3rd place guy a chance to latch on.

The first lap went by fast and I knew were created a gap from the next group.  It felt easy to create this gap with Tyler J. being so smooth on the single track.  This was the first time I felt the difference of having a 29er.  Following his smooth riding seemed effortless at times on the 29er, it just kept rolling.  We entered the single track on the 2nd lap and were still moving at a good clip and our goal was no longer just to win but to crush the competition, this kept our tempo high and we pulled out another blazing lap.

I followed Tyler's wheel for all 4 laps as there was no reason to ruin the flow we had going.  With there being so much single track draft wasn't much of a factor.  Being first into the single track held the advantage, you're able to pick a line and ride your pace.  On the 2nd and 3rd lap our support crew had giving us race info that we had over a minute lead and that we were looking good.  It didn't matter if we had a 10 minute lead we were not letting up.  With each lap the single track became more fun and we got smoother.

The finish sends you through a wavy single track section of pine trees and pops you out to about 25 or so yards to the finish.  Tyler J. popped out first and I gave a good effort to come around but there was just not enough room.  We pulled the Tyler two step and had a UP 1-2 finish.  Regardless of the distance to the finish Tyler J. looked smooth and flawless.  I felt no shame coming in right behind him.  I know most of the hard core competitors, which I consider myself one, are questioning "how are you OK with 2nd?"  It's not so much that I'm OK that I finished 2nd, trust me it hurts, but if I do finish 2nd it's just makes it more acceptable when it's to a great friend.  I was very happy with my effort and was positive about how I felt for it being May.  We did all 4 laps in 21 minutes a lap.  We beat the 3rd place competitor by over 3 minutes and the 4th place by 4 minutes.  Better yet it's a good sign that the strength and endurance are in line.

Full Race Results

I can't end without thanking my wife for her morale support, my parents for not missing a beat and Tyler Jenema for being an awesome training partner and friend.  I also want to thank all my sponsors.  The thanks will continue throughout the year as I'm so appreciative of all I have around me.

 Age Group Podium