Race Previews
Cinco Du Mayo en Cinco de Septimo...Updates...
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Wednesday, 04 May 2016 00:10
CINCO DU MAYO PREVE - It was heartening to see last weekend's Falls Du get the kind of turnout (300+ registrants) that it got prior to the 2011, when tri and du attendance was thriving. We'd like to think that the sport has begun an "upturn" phase.
With crossed fingers, we are hoping that Saturday's Cinco Du Mayo races attract record, or near record, participation. You can help. If you're not already registered, then sign up. And convince a friend or two to join you. We think you'll be glad you did. After all, the Square Lake venue is awesome. And there will be post race tacos and entrants get a cool, long sleeved tech shirt. How can someone say no to that stuff?
Prior to last week's Falls Du, we made some predictions. They were incorrect, of course. The list of entrants we saw did not include "game changing" athletes, like Kevin O'Connor and Dani Vsetecka, who were late registrants. We're totally cool with this. Our predictions are meant to stimulate interest and discussion. Being right is rare. All we care about is that the race is well executed and participants go home with great memories. An exciting, competitive race is gravy....
Still, making predictions is fun. And once again, we are going to be basing them on what we know today, i.e. who has already signed up.
Who do we think will win Cinco's long course race? Our best guess is Wade Cruser of Sauk Rapids. He's definitely a rising star, a guy who reminds of fellow rising stars, Larry Hosch, Michael Ward and Nick Nygaard. Wade emailed us asking about the men's CR, which is NOT soft. It's 1:21:50, set in 2011 by Sam Janicki, who used to have a gnarly afro (photo).
The women's long course winner? We're convinced that she will be a late sign-up, perhaps someone like Diane Hankee, Lisa Lendway or Sheena Dauer.
We know who won't win Cinco's Sprint. Two-time champ Stevie Stenzel, who probably hates to be called "Stevie," has a broken body part, thus his spring du season is over before it's starts. Too bad. We're going to miss his flamboyant bike pants. His plaid ones are cool. So are the one's with lightning bolts.
Past champ Matt Orzechowsky is registered for the sprint. We expect a podium effort from him.
Who will win some of the AGs? Rob Madgwick looked great at Falls last Saturday, so he's our pick to win the 50-54M category in the sprint. We also think that the Rhiannon O'Connor, who is lovely--Do you know her? She's from Wales, you know.--will win the 55-59W.
UPDATE - Judi just sent us an updated list of entrants. David Phillips and James Hannon have recently enrolled in the long course event. Phillips will give Wade Cruser a run for his money at the front of the race, and Hannon, a USAT Master Duathlete of the Year Honorable Mention, should take down Charlie Roach's long-standing 50+ AG record. Though 58, we think Hannon will crack the overall Top 5. Exciting stuff.
Coming off his win at Morris Tinman, we believe that Mitchell Clayton will podium, perhaps even win, the sprint race. The women's contest now includes podium faves Veronica Bond and three-time Cinco runner-up Stephanie Feakes-Young, a GPS wearer who has cool tats on her left bicep (photo R).
