Iola kicks it EXPO Style'

The EXPO Junior cat1/2 peeps at the start of WORS #1, Iola. A huge group of kids that chose to blow each other to shreds after the first section of climbs. I absolutely loved seeing it. Watching them hang prior to start like the crew I know, then once the infamous "GoooOOOOO!" reaches their ears it was go time. Faces went to pro and it was time to see who brought their legs to the start of the mountain biking season. Nate was off the front(and would stay there!) with Kyle keeping the gap within 1 minute for most of the race. Then after those two it was cut-throat. Myles had to fight lap traffic and some fast kid from a team in blue to take 4th. Caleb fought hard to come oh-so-close to getting on the box. To be able to walk into a 7th place last year versus fighting for your life to get a 7th this years goes to show how hot the Junior scene is this for 2010.

Looking at the faces of Nate and Kyle in this pic taken by velogrrl at the finish will always keep you on an even mindset. Once the top two spots were sealed with the EXPO Badge (Nate 1, Kyle 2) it was all smiles. You can tell EXPO is out to have a good year.

EXPO Prodigy, Andy Schmidt, showed everyone he is here to stay. A U14 field that was 15 deep and littered with 12, 13 and 14 year old's was sure to pose a threat to Andy's second year racing and his first Citizen race to boot. The 10year old grabbed the 3rd highest spot on the box and place 26th overall. All I can say is look out Colorado... Andy will come ready to race US XC Nats.

What does 2009 US 13-14 Cyclocross National Champion Ian Haupt do in his off season? Rip up the Sport field as he works his singletrack skills. One thing is for sure, Cyclocross legs easily transfer to the mountain bike. Ian took second in the Sport U14 age and 10th Overall. He is most certainly off to a great start.

All in all the, EXPO Nation threw 12 into the almost 850 racer mix at WORS #1. I think we came out pretty good. And what a blast it was to see a the people that can be associated with a Mountain Biking weekend in WI. 2010 is going to be fun.