State and Midwest Championships

A little bit late but time to update from December. State championships was on a new course that was nothing special but it was about 5 degrees so it made the race much harder. My legs felt trashed but my friend Sam Spende and I took off from the group. we stuck together the whole race and in the last couple of turns I took the wrong line on the run up and he got by me. I ended up second behind Sam but it was a good race and I was happy with second place.

I stayed over night with the Spendes at their house the night before the mid-west championships and rode down with them in the morning. The whole course was covered in over a foot of snow so it was like the whole race course was a giant sandpit. There was only one line and the course was super technical and challenging which was perfect for me. I was racing 15-18 so I had tons of super fast guys in my group. I battled back and forth with my friend Simon Jones for 4th place the whole race. He is super strong but I usually beat him in the technical stuff and that's why I was able to stay with him. The finishing straight was long and pavement so Simon powered away from me at the end but it was a awesome race and I was very pleased to have done so well in such a fast field.

Jingle Cross 2013

Haven't updated in a while so here it is! Jingle Cross is probably my favorite cross race of them all. Three days of fantastic racing. Unfortunately I was sick all week and did not race Friday so that I could rest up for Saturday. This was my cat 3 premier race and unfortunately did not go as planned. I had a good start and started working my way up through the ranks and was riding in about 10th. It started to go down hill on the second lap when I tried to get around a poor bike handler right before the grinches lair sand pit and he jumped ahead and smashed into the wall and almost made me endo. Later in the lap on the off camber down hill a guys crashed and I missed the turn trying to avoid him and me and my bike went completely over the snow fence but luckily there where a lot of spectators who caught me and put me back on the course. By then I was back to 17th. Gong into the yule logs at the beginning of the last lap was when disaster really struck. I dismounted and was running over the logs when my back wheel bumped a log and I stumbled whacked my forehead against my handle bars. I immediately started gushing blood, my chain was also off and I was to disoriented to put it back on so I ran the 50 yards to the pit and switched bikes I lost quite a few places but still finished that last lap and ended up 35 out of 84 starters. I went to the first aid tent and they cleaned it up a bit and sent me off to the emergency room where I got six stitches. I was going to race the next day but my legs were trashed I was pretty out of it we later decided that I had a concussion. I cant wait to tear it up again at jingle cross next year!

The Mud Fund Derby City Cup

This was a fantastic race, the atmosphere the course, the people, the venue, everything! The 2013 Cyclocross World Championships were here in February so that should give you a idea about how amazing the Louisville cyclocross scene is. Last minute I ended up driving to my friends the Schmidts in lake Geneva Thursday night and left early Friday morning for Louisville with them. (My dad and sister came down Saturday morning just in time to bring my pit bike). Andy and I prerode the course and did the Tim Johnson clinic and then went out to eat. We got back to the hotel watched some TV, prepared for the next day, and went to sleep.

I raced at 10:00, we left just before 8:00 so that we would have plenty of time for course recon. I warmed up and went to the start line to get my call up. The whistle was blown and we took off, I was second through the first corner and dropped to third wheel, Nick started to pull away because the guy in second was terrible in the corners and wouldn't let me pass. I finally got around him and caught up to Nick. I jumped him right before the long sand pit, I rode the whole thing and up the bank and when I looked back I had a good thirty second gap, and that was only the first lap. I rode the rest of the race by my self. I finished 1:19 ahead of second place and a 1:30 ahead of the winner of the Cat 4/5 race. I was pretty thrilled!

The next day two older very fast boys decided to do the 15-18 boys. I had the worst start ever and was in 20th place going up the steps. I moved back up to third after nick dropped his chain but Max and Ryan were already to far ahead for me to catch by my self. I could have done better but my back was in agony the whole race and that combined with my bad start made me finish third. It was a fun time down in Louisville and I can't wait for Jingle Cross this coming weekend!

Cinci Three Day Cyclocross Festival

This was the first time we went down to this race and I was not disappointed! We left late Thursday night and got to Indianapolis by 1:30. 

Day 1

We left the hotel at 8:00 and arrived at the race at 10:30 for my 11:30 start.

 I prerode the course and it was tough, there was lots of climbing and it was a little muddy. Luckily I got first call up to the start line out of all the juniors and cat 4/5's. They fired the gun and we took off, I didn't have a great start so I spent the first couple minutes of the race catching up to first. From there Enzo jumped on my wheel and we opened up a huge gap on the rest of the field. I made up time on him on the hills and finally towards the end of the second lap I pulled rode away from and got a good 40 seconds ahead of the whole field. I was thrilled to get the 15-18 win and the overall win!

Day 2

The mud cometh! Mud, true cyclocross conditions and this course had it all, stairs, almost unride-able hills, barriers and a sand pit. I was thrilled because the barriers were short! So I could bunny hop them, I have been practicing for a while so I was glad to use my new skills. I got first call up and  took my place on the line. We took off but I didn't have a great start. Once we got to the hill I passed every one into second and nick got away but I caught him on the finishing straight at the end of the first lap. After the hill I started to pull way from him because I was faster through the turns and I bunny hopped the barriers but once we got back to the finishing straight for the final lap he caught up again. I led until the big mound where I rode the technical hill and after the last climb I took off down the hill hard and once we went by the sand pit I looked back and he was way back, I rode the rest of the race solo. I was thrilled for my second win of the three day cyclocross festival and to have a great time in the mud!

Day 3
This was the final day of this incredible event unfortunately and by now, my legs were feeling pretty tired! The course was pretty average but had a nice sand pit and a run up with some ride-able logs. The gun was fires and we took off I almost pulled the whole shot and immediately jumped onto Nicks wheel after the first turn. I followed his wheel and we opened up a monster gap on the rest of the field. On the second lap I went down in a corner and spent the whole rest of the lap closing back in on him. On the second to last lap I figured it would turn out to a sprint so I mentally noted places were I could pass him and where I was faster then him. I was going through the last set of turns much faster then him so I knew that's where I had to be ahead of him. He attacked on the hills right before the last set of turns and I stuck with him. He relaxed for a second and I counter attacked him. I took off through the corners as fast as I could and opened up a 10 foot gap. I moved over to the right side as we were going onto the pavement so he couldn't force me to move to the outside and I managed to hold him off in the sprint for my third victory of the weekend. 

This was a amazing weekend of racing and I was super glad to be able to come and race down in Cincinnati. I was thrilled to take the win all three days on three different courses! My sister Emma Swartz who is 16 got 13th place on Friday in the UCI Women's elite race and 14th on Saturday, and Sunday unfortunately her back went out and she had to pull out. I'm looking forward to Louisville next weekend!

Where I dropped nick on day 2

Me sprinting for the win on day three

Sun Prairie Cyclocross and Carpenter Park

Thankfully we only had to drive 20 minutes to the race on Saturday because we will be doing tons of driving for races starting this weekend. We will be doing St.Louis Gate Way Cross then Cincinnati Cyclocross festival, then the mud fund cup in Louisville and finally Jingle Cross in Iowa City.  I warmed up on the road, and then pre-rode the course and rolled up to the start line. I jumped in the front row and after taking my power gels the whistle was blown. I took a immediate second place right off the line and chased first place for half a lap. I stuck on his wheel until the second lap when I passed him before the hill, I rode it and he made a mistake and I never saw him again. I went super hard to stay ahead off second and hold a 20 second gap. He gained some time on me in the flats but I gained twice as much time on him in the technical sections before and after the hill and barriers. I was thrilled to win the race my team was putting!

The next day we drove down to Chicago for the Carpenters Park race. It was a huge event, very festive, over 700 racers and a great course! I was doing the Cat 4's at 2:45, my sister raced at 10:45 and clobbered the Cat 1/2/3 women for her fifth consecutive Category 1/2/3 win. I made sure to stay fueled up all day so that I wouldn't be low on energy. There were about a 100 people in my race and thankfully I got first call up because of CrossResults.com points. We started and I was 6th going through the first turn. I moved up into second while we were going through the whoops and the corn field. I chased after first place until the beginning of the second lap. I stuck right on his wheel for another two laps. I was stronger than him on the flats and cornered better then him so at the beginning of the last lap I took the lead and gave him a run for his money. I hit the technical sections and motored down the flats waiting for 2nd place to make a mistake. Finally right before the last set of turns he followed me too close on a corner on my inside and went down. I took off like a bullet! I smashed the little hill and took off, going 25 around the start to the finishing straight. It was a super exhilarating and a great learning experience. This was my first Chicago Cross Cup Cat 4 race and win, and I won $30 and a Surly flask. It was the first time I had won money! Next week I will be fighting it out with the 1/2/3/4's in St.Louis!

The Hill

Grafton Pumpkin Cross and Further Cross

Well I had heard this was a great race and a super fun course, so I wanted to race here badly and once I saw that it was going to be wet I was even more excited! We got there and I warmed up but my brakes were just not working how I needed them to so I ended up racing me and my sisters pit bike. They blew the whistle and we were off, I was trying to start my garmin and was a little slow but I was still second out of the first turn And passed into first 5 seconds later. From there I went super hard and pulled away immedietly, it was a super great course so I was happy to get a great work out in and get my second Cat 4 win by over a minute!

The next day we did further cross in Verona, it was only 20 minutes away from my house so I had plenty of time. I warmed up and went to the start, Craig blew the whistle and we took off I sprinted super hard because I wanted to be first going over the logs on the hill so that I could ride then and open up a gap. I was first off the pavement and going through a tight twist right before the hill two guys were overlapping my wheels and went down, halting the entire field except me, I road the logs and opened up a good gap. But coming to the gravel hill climb I got passed by a guy and couldn't hold his wheel. It happened again on the second lap and now I was in

third. I chased hard but I was tired from the day before and the course just took a lot more power than I had. I still got on the podium, had a great time, and was glad to come out and do a fantastic race! (I think it might be Cat 3 time!)

Bring The Noyes Cross and WORS#12

On Saturday we drove over to Milwaukee for Bring the Noyz Cross Day 1. I was super pumped and ready to win! I rolled up to the start line all warmed, and ready. When that whistle blew I was gone, apparently there was a big crash behind me right before the first turn but I had all ready pulled the holeshot and was building a gap. For the first two and a half laps there was one guy with me, but on the second lap I pulled away from him in some technical turns and then just rode away. I then rode solo for the last two laps and stayed focused until I crossed the line. I was super pumped for my first cat 4 win of the season and I hope for many more!

On Sunday I went up to the last WORS race  because I only had to finish the race to win the series. At the start a guy missed his petal and all most took out the whole field. I ended up having a awful start but I  moved up through the slippery muddy single track until I was in first. It was all going good until I slid out on a corner and bent my derailleur hanger and then I shifted it into the spokes twice. I lost a lot of time and dropped back to third but then moved back up to second.  I was mad but it was my own fault and I didn't need to win the race to win the series anyways. I ended up second and was disappointed but I still had a great time in the mud!

Before!

After!

High School MTB State Champs and WORS #11

This was the first annual Wisconsin High School State Championships put on by WIN Cycling. My Race was at 12:30 and my sister won the varsity girls race at 10:30. I was racing JV and was hoping to win! We started and I took a immediate lead and stayed there but I stupidly towed around a guy for the whole race and on the last hill he jumped me and took the win. I was doing the actual WORS race the next day so I had not been going very hard but I was still disappointed but it was my own fault.

 The next day we drove the 30 minutes for my 11:30 start, today was a big day and I needed to beat Blake Mezo and win to win the series. Luckily my race yesturday had opened up my legs and I was ready to go! Right of the start I accidentally cut off Blake going into the first corner and he was on my inside so there was nothing I could do with out crashing the whole field. We plowed through the first muddy section and then opened it up on the flats and I passed Nate into first place. I rode off the front for a while until Blake caught back up. My strategy was to just race smart and let him do the work. So I sat on his wheel and drafted and when we got to single track he let me lead and we worked together. He dropped his chain twice but managed to catch back up. We stuck together the whole race and I knew it was going to be a sprint. We came through the last single track section and onto a flat and then we went on to the last climb. I expected him to take off bit he didn't, so I did! Right before the top I made my move and sprinted by him, I knew if I was ahead of him going through the downhill switch backs I would win. So after I sprinted by him I took the six switch back turns as fast as I could and then poured out everything I had to bring it home. It was a amazing race and I was so thrilled to win! Also I got sixth overall in sport out of over 200 riders!

Trek CXC Cup

First annual Trek CXC Cup! I was so excited for the first major cross race of the season. I was doing Cat 4's and juniors because I wanted to race!

Day 1

Junior 15-18

We drove the 25 min for my 9:15 start and I was ready and warmed up. I pulled the holshot and took the race from there, I did not go hard at all because I was doing the Cat 4's at 1:20. My friend Sam Spende was on my wheel for the first 2 laps until he tried to ride the run up like I was doing and he ended up rolling all the way back down the hill. After that I just soft pedaled to the finish to take my first win of the season.

Cat 4's

I relaxed after the junior race until it was time to get ready for my second race of the day. Luckily I got a first row call up so I didn't have to deal with the 70+ people behind me. The whistle was blown and we took off, I was in second place off the pavement going into the spiral. Right before the run I passed first place so that I could ride the run up. I powered up it and realized I was in first! After being ahead for a little but a group of  four riders caught up to me. I very stupidly lead the group for the next three laps while they drafted off of me and at the beginning of the fourth lap they jumped me on the pavement and pulled away. I ended up fourth place and was very mad at my self for not racing smart but I planned to podium the next day for sure!

Day 2

Sunday I decided to skip the junior race to sleep in and soak my legs in the bath tub I got there in time for my dad's race at 10:45 and started warming up at 12:00. I got my call up and thankfully I was in the front row again. I took my gels and waited for the count down. The whistle blew and we took off I immediately grabbed the lead off the pavement and rode the hill. I was in second going through the barriers but first crashed on the off camber section so I took the lead again. But the guy who got fifth yesterday came up and lead hard for a lap and we thought he was gone but the he started to fade and the guy who won yesterday took off and he was never seen again. I was then riding comfortably in second place and on the third lap I was toying with third and fourth, letting them catch up and then attacking again. But then at the beginning of the fourth lap I slid out on a corner and dropped back to fourth. At the beginning of the fifth lap I had caught back up to third and second and was going to pass third on the run up, but every lap I would ride it and the guy would run it and at the top he would move over on purpose to not let me get the pass. This time he moved all the way over and took me out! I went down hard, got all scraped up and trashed my my right brake lever. I ended up fourth and was super bummed out, and furious at the guy because I had wanted to podium so badly. But I'm gonna get him next time!