Trek CXC Cup 2013 Race update

Two days of amazing racing. Trek CXC Cup in Waterloo Wisconsin was an awesome series this year. This was the first year for the race after other races in the country have closed down. Trek stepped up and was not only the title sponsor but also held the race on their campus. I do have the unique advantage as I am also an employee of Trek. This was our race in our "backyard". I had practiced earlier in the week on the course. One of the most difficult parts of the course was the Honey Stinger run up. It was a fast downhill followed by a quick turn to go back up the same hill. Most riders opted to run up the bank, but I wanted to see if I could ride it during the race. (see video below lap 3? on Saturday) Both days Lap 1 ended up being my nemesis and had to run up. (see lap 1 from Sunday video below) But I was riding by the last laps. The race festivities were great too. Saturday ended up being a bit colder than expected. We had a number of AMR racers on Saturday racing. Joe King a new member placed 12th in the Masters 55+ group. Mio Suzuki had her second race ever and placed 17th in the Women's CX4 group. Kathleen Fitzpatrick rode in her first ever CX race from a mountain bike background, raced in the CX3 women's group and ended up getting 10th in for CX3, 19th out of the 2/3s. Laura Andrews placed 15th in the CX3 women's race and 25th overall in the 2/3's. I had one of the largest fields ever and placed 49th out of 72 of the finishers. I also had the unique privilege of being an announcer for the Mens Elite Pro Race where Jeremy Powers took the win. Shimano hung out with me on the stage as I announced. I wore my AMR hat during the interviews after the race. :) (see video below) The entire day was amazing. One of my favorites. Sunday the weather was sunny and warm with a cool breeze. Laura moved up in her placings and got 11th in the CX3 women's, 25th overall CX2/3 Women. I had a rough first lap with a number of riders falling around me. The next 3 laps though I gained back spots, road up the run up, had a cupcake hand up and a splash of beer hand up to wash it down. I felt great on those laps really pushing myself to gain back all that I had lost in the first. I ended up only to 45th but was still happy with that. I almost took 44 after chasing down the rider in front of me and trying to catch him in the last 100 feet only to be just beaten at the line. Again a great day of Cyclocross racing in Wisconsin. -Brandon Andrews AMR Founder


Photos below of Joe King (white jersey), Laura Andrews (AMR Jersey), Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Black/blue/pink Trek kit), Brandon Andrews (AMR Jersey) and Shimano the pug (dog). I missed Mio's race since I actually announced her race instead. -BA

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