If you watch a cycling road race in Wisconsin this summer, you might just be witnessing Lance Armstrong’s next teammate.
Case in point: Matt Busche from Wauwatosa rode for the local team sponsored by ISCorp Cycling last year and this year was recruited to ride for Armstrong’s team. “Stories like Matt Busche are the reason we place emphasis on and heavily support development teams,” says ISCorp president and CEO Mike Weber.
Busche is not the only rising star. Others include national criterium junior champion Sarah Huang and up-and-comers like Katie Antonneau, Chad Hartley and Samantha Schneider. All ride for teams with often-unwieldy, corporate-sponsored names.
“Every year the racing scene has improved,” says Luke Holtan of team Velo Trocadero. “USA Cycling licenses are up about 30 percent this year, which is a great indicator of the sport’s growth.”
They may not be the Tour de France, but races that attract elite national riders can be found each summer in the metro area. “While the winter can be challenging,” says Dave Eckel, president of Team Wisconsin/MC2, “riders love coming to Wisconsin for the events that dominate our calendar in late June and July.”
All the races are family-friendly events and often have live music, food and other activities. The atmosphere is raucous, the competition is intense, and fans and riders mingle freely before and after events. Every sanctioned race in the area includes Junior, Elite and 35+ Masters divisions for both men and women.
Local teams range in size from a few dozen to a few hundred riders and in talent from university clubs to highly competitive teams. Some accomplishments include the UW-Milwaukee Cycling Club’s 14 national collegiate championship qualifiers in the past four years and cyclist Denny Yunk winning the Wisconsin State Road Race championship.
“These guys are passionate, yet most hold full-time jobs, so this is not their entire life,” says Jason Kayzar of Team Wisconsin/MC2.
Prize money at the larger events – like Superweek – can get into the four-figure range, but for most races, prizes (called primes) are less than $100. At some races, pass-the-bucket donations from the crowd help support riders. The majority of cyclists receive some form of sponsorship to offset the costs, from direct financial support to free or discounted equipment.
“Bring your enthusiasm to cheer everyone on who races,” says Paul Weaver of Team Geargrinder. “Races are a great adrenaline rush and every participant will try to give 100 percent effort.”
And don’t forget your cowbell, adds Holtan. “Racers love the noise.”
2010 Races:
State Criterium Championship
June 12, Ripon
Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic
June 17, Shorewood
Giro d’ Grafton – USA Crits
June 19, Grafton
Chiropractic Time Trial
July 10, Waukesha
South Shore Cyclery Classic
July 15, Milwaukee
Brookfield Criterium
July 16, Brookfield
PSchlitz Park Endeavour Cycling Challenge
July 17, Milwaukee
Wheel & Sprocket Whitnall Park Road Race
July 19, Hales Corners
Bucyrus International Road Race
July 20, South Milwaukee
The Hincapie Sportswear Lakefront Road Race
July 21, Milwaukee
The Great Downer Avenue Bike Race
July 24, Milwaukee
Whitefish Bay Classic
July 25, Whitefish Bay
Tour de Road America
August 20, Elkhart Lake
For a complete schedule of area races, visit wicycling.org.
