Race Previews

Gunning For Career Du Win #10...

Thursday, 11 May 2017 05:10

OAKDALE DUATHLON PREVE  - We rescheduled (for Saturday) our regularly scheduled post --"El Rocketo. Unofficial Hemsworth Brother"--to bring you news about Saturday's Oakdale Duathlon. Uncle Randy has recently posted his registration list and we got exciting by what we saw. The men's field is especially strong. Here are the guys that we believe will be racing for podium spots:

- WADE CRUSER - Defending Oakdale champ who is coming off a course record win at Cinco Du Mayo Long Course, Wade's won three of the four dus he's done so far in his career and should have been a USAT DOY HM in 2016, in our humble opinion. Unless, Matt Payne decides to pop in, Cruser is our pick to win.

- JESSON BAUMGARTNER - Iowa transplant and 2012 US DOY, the year he won Duathlon Worlds in Ottawa, Jesson is coming off a win at the Falls Du. A 5000 PR of 14:10, Baumgartner should be a threat on Saturday. His best years were 2011 and 2012, though.

- KRIS SPOTH - He has little or no background in duathlon, but has the requisite skills. He's a fast runner and cyclist and a tenacious competitor. He will affect the outcome of Saturday's race....

- BRIAN SAMES - Brian has more du expetience than the elite peers he'll face this weekend. His resume is full of podiums and at least three du victories. He placed 2nd behind Baumgartner at Falls. Like Spoth, he will help make sure that the winner, if it's not himself, turns in a record, or near-record effort.

There are a few others that have the creds needed to crack the Top 5.

The clear favorite for the women at Oakdale XV?  It's SUZIE FOX (top photo with a tree and a baby). She's a two-time Minnesota DOY with nine du wins to her credit. She's a two-time Apple champ and was victorious here in 2012. If she's fit, Diane Hankee's CR, which broke Suzie's prior CR, is in jeopardy.

Weather is supposed to be awesome on Saturday. Race day registration is available. RACE WEBSITE