ARPIN, WI (OnFocus) – On Sunday, August 7, under heavy brooding rain-laden skies, 42 WISports/Badger State Games bicycle racers stood at the base of Powers Bluff ready to compete in the 3rd Annual “Bluff to Bluff” road bicycle race which winds past farm fields, up and over Cary Bluff, through wild lands and small villages with a finish atop Power Bluff. Racers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee and the Caribbean Island Nation of Saint Maarten ranged in age from 15 to 70 completed the challenging 49-mile course in record time. (Find event photos here.)
Starting just east of Powers Bluff’s County Park at the base of the hill, riders took off in a steady rain with the power embedded in the race roster quickly becoming apparent with the 12 miles to the first Cary Bluff climb covered at 27-35mph. At the junction of CC and B Cary Bluff climb, the sustained pressure of the high speed shattered the main peloton into many pieces with a 14-racer peloton forming on the front and numerous smaller pelotons regrouping in its wake. Three strong racers launched an unrelenting series of attacks, culminating in their successful escape to a hotly-contested sprint finish at the top of Powers Bluff.
The event’s King of Mountain Preem at the top of the final Cary Bluff climb and the Sprint Preem at mile 37 were both successfully captured by David Howe in the Men’s Division and Marie Streich in the Women’s Division.
Award winners: Overall “Bluff to Bluff” Men Placings:
1st- David Howe of Nashville, TN (1:55:37, 24.9 MPH avg)
2nd- Brian Werner of Onalaska, WI (1:55:40, 24.9 MPH avg)
3rd- Hayden Purcer of Rosendale, WI (1:55:42, 24.9 MPH avg)
Overall “Bluff to Bluff” Women Placings:
1st- Marie Streich of Montello, WI (2:25:54, 19.7 MPH avg)
2nd- Megan Zelienka of Coloma, WI (2:29:07, 19.3 MPH avg)
3rd – Julie McCarrier of Brookfield, WI (2:29:16, 19.3 MPH avg)
Bluff to Bluff team competition was awarded to Stevens Point Cycling Club.
The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Greta Mahler.
Eleven riders age 13 to 78 also completed the 27-mile version of the race, called “One Bluff’s Enough.” The Men’s Division was won by Kevin Pomasl of Wausau, WI (1:13:24) with the Women’s Division awarded to Greta Mahler of Athens, WI (1:23:02).
Race directors Sharon and Ralph Bredl deemed the event a huge success and extend a sincere “Thank-you!” to all involved in the production.
Complete results can be viewed HERE.
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Author: News Desk
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