The MAC cyclocross series held its finale December 7 at the Capital ‘Cross Classic in Reston, Virginia. Lake Fairfax Park hosted a great day of racing that can be summed up in one word: wind. The course featured a new run-up followed by a dodgy off-camber descent and wind, wind, wind. Racers were greeted with a 20 to 30 mph headwind on a grassy ascent immediately followed by vicious crosswinds as they bisected a lake on a fully exposed dam.
For many at the top this was a final test before heading off to CX Nationals in Kansas City, Mo. We checked in with several podium finishers to get their take on the day.
1. How did you prepare to tackle the conditions? Did the wind affect your race planning?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I just did what I always do…put on a ton of gear to warm up, strip at the line, freeze for a few minutes, and then go!
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): I dressed slightly different, using a windfront baselayer but otherwise pretty standard on the clothing with a long sleeve skinsuit and leg warmers. On the bike side of things I opted out of deep section carbon rims due to what I judged to be heavy cross winds. At my size a deep rim in a bad wind can be hard to control. Switching to low profile rims gave me one less thing to think about.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I tried to stay warm before the start and did a pre-lap. I rode Zipp 404’s which were really fast when the wind was at your back but treacherous across the dam.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I had brought all the gear I own, but my most important preparation was slathering hot cream on my fingers, toes and legs when I woke up that morning. The wool baselayer and wool socks were a must, and baby powder in the socks helps to keep your feet dry (and therefore warm)! I’m also really fond of the Under Armor Fleece Glove for those conditions. Windproof gloves can be bulky, making it hard to shift and brake, but the fleece cuts the wind enough and keeps your hands warm and mobile.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I made sure I had plenty of layers on to stay warm. The wind definitely impacted how much I wore. After pre riding the course I had an idea of which sections would be a bit difficult because it was gusting so badly and played that into my race strategy.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I didn’t do anything special to prepare. Since my race was the first of the day and they were going to line everyone up by order of registration I just tried to keep moving until the race was about to start. I was glad to see the strong winds because I think I race better in harsh conditions.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Lots of Sportsbalm. No, but when I was pre-riding I thought my headset was loose because my bike kept wanting to steer left. It was just the crosswind over the bridge.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary for the race other than use hand warmers between the rubber gloves I had on and the regular gloves. I just wanted to try it because I’ve had a lot of trouble with my hands and it kept my hands warm the whole race. I also put bubble wrap on top of my feet in my shoes and in my jersey over my chest for insulation.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I wore a wind-block base layer and a generous application of HOT Sportsbalm with legwarmers. These helped to keep the wind from getting to me.
ANDREW “BAD ANDY” WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Well, first I wore a lot of clothes so I wouldn’t get cold. Second, I made sure I ate and drank plenty. Finally, I pre-rode the course and choose the appropriate tire pressure.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I brought lots of layers. Multiple everything.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I haven’t had a chance to prepare for cold weather this season, as I broke my finger severely enough to require surgery 3 weeks ago, so I’ve been confined to the trainer. However, I would normally attempt to get as much outside riding in as my schedule allows, despite the temperature, to learn to adjust to really cold races. Wind happens, so you just have to deal with it, almost pretend like it isn’t there.
2. What was the best part of the course? What was the hardest part of the course? Anything you would change?
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I liked the back stretch right after the big run up. It was smooth and fast, and a good place to gain time on people because it’s a “lazy” part of the course. It followed a difficult section, so people are naturally inclined to relax and let their guard down momentarily. The hardest part was the section by the first pit entrance. It was into the wind, and pretty much a complete false flat, and very bumpy, which required a bigger effort than would be expected to get through it. I would probably change the decent/off camber section. It was an interesting element, but maybe a little too extreme.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): The best part of the course for me had to be the run up to the downhill off-camber. I felt like I had the advantage on that section and plus the off-camber is just such a blast to ride. The hardest part of the course was the section prior to the dam crossing. It was uphill in the grass in to a blazing head wind. No wind would be my one and only change.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I really enjoyed the course as a whole. I felt it flowed well and rewarded those who could find a smoother line. One of the parts I struggled with was the stretch after the pits up to the bathrooms. It was windy, it was slippery. I felt I was at a standstill.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): The hardest part of the course was the technical downhill which lead into the off-camber section where I fell on the last lap.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Best part: the run-up followed by the off-camber downhill. Hardest part: the long uphill stretch by the pit. Wouldn’t change a thing.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I really like the new climb up and around the tree. The way everyone gathered to watch from that spot really gave the course a big race feel. The longer run up was awesome too. The harderst part for me was the steep off-camber downhill by far. I had feared that feature since last season. The added snow and ice for the 9am race didn’t help things. I can’t think of anything on the course I would change. It had everything except a nice sand section.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): The best part of the course was that it was technical and still icy in parts. That played to my advantage from a mountain biking back round. The hardest part of the course was after the man made barriers by the parking lot. It was a long uphill to the road with the bridge. Once you crested the hill to the road the wind was gusting so hard from our right that it was literally blowing us off the road on 2 of the laps. Top that off with a dismount to log barriers and a steep uphill run up. It just hurt every lap at race speed.
MIKE MIHALIK (Mens 2/3/4 3rd Place): The best part of the course was the steep downhill and the frozen off camber right after it. The hardest part was the paved section with the bridge, those crosswinds were nasty. I wouldn’t change anything, those guys lay out an awesome course.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I really enjoyed the steep downhill section. The hardest part of the course was the uphill run up. I liked the course, I would only change the cold weather if I could.
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Always a good course. The new run-up made a huge difference.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Best part for me-the longer run up. Running has become one of my strengths. Hardest part-the long descent and sketchy off camber onto the road, which was frozen solid early in the morning. Descending is decidedly not my strength. The course this year was less technical overall than prior years-I’d add back some of the more tricky turns around trees, etc. and the descent and long climb after the run up.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I thought the run up was great and the downhill off-camber was obviously tough for newbies like me.
3. Describe the decisive moment or moments in the race. Did it play out the way you hoped?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): There were many…Greg Faber and I found ourselves off the front with a small gap when I crashed due to rolling my tubular off the rim. As I am forcing my tire back on the rim and wondering if I should continue, a few riders go by me. I decide to give it a go, take it easy on the down hills and tight corners but kill it on the flats. The chase begins! I was able to catch up to Steve Riskus first and then, unfortunately for him, Scott Stahl flats prior to the run-up on the last lap. I then caught up to Eric Lundgren on the back side and was barely able to get by him at the line for 2nd place.
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Dave Weaver actually set the tone at the start and went very hard and opened a big gap. I waited then bridged across with Blair Saunders. Dave and I were able to gap Blair on the run and downhill sections but he clawed back every time. I missed the finale due to a softening rear tire but just meant I didn’t have to be shamed in the sprint.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): The decisive moment was going underneath the Start/Finish Banner into the headwind, really hurt my legs.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I was really struggling to find the right place to ride away from Nikki, who was with me for most of the race. Each lap, I tried to gap her earlier and earlier to avoid getting caught on the run-up. I finally did it in the right place on the backside of the course coming into the last lap, she probably gained time on me on the run-up but didn’t catch me. That worked perfectly.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I was with 2 others at the front for all 4 laps of our race. It was myself, Shawn Downing, and Paul Wahner. I couldn’t get a gap on these guys and by mid way through lap 4 I knew I needed to make a move to shake them as they are both excellent sprinters. About mid course after the wood bridge there was a nasty off camber ‘S’ bend I had been making pretty cleanly and I knew I had to attack hard out of it. I got through it smoothly as planned and put an attack in as soon as I got straight at the bottom. I was able to get about a 3 or 4 second gap by the time I rode by the pit. When I hit the asphalt to the finish I looked back and those guys were locked in their own race, I just kept my pace hard to the line to take the win. It definitely played out how I planned it.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I caught Tracy Lea at the run up on lap 3. As far as I knew, she was in the lead at that point. I stuck on her wheel, letting her pull me around the course and through the wind for a lap, and then attacked on the run up in the 4th [final] lap. I got a big gap which she was unable to close. Since Tracy was in fact the furthest forward in lap 3, and getting past her put me in the lead until the end, it worked out pretty well for me. Tracy and I have a long history of battles on this course, and she usually comes out on top, so the outcome was particularly sweet.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): The decisive moment was getting to line up on the outside of the 4th row instead of the 9th as I feared I would with my pre-registration number. Besides the U19s being started in front of us the race played out better than I expected.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): In the first lap I was smoked by Lynne Bufka on the run-up. In the second lap I got a small gap on the bridge. When she didn’t pass me on the run-up I attacked on the downhill off-camber and was able to hold it.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): When I fell on the off-camber section the guy who won caught me and eventually passed me for the win in a sprint.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I lined up on the left side of the second row behind Shawn Downing. I knew if I could hang on to his wheel I would do OK. I didn’t really expect to find myself in 6th behind two other guys coming up the finishing straight. I gave it all I had on the uphill sprint into the wind to take 4th.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): The most decisive moment in the race had to be the first half-lap. Wes took off at the start and had a good gap so I tried my best to slow my group down and then Bishop made a mistake on the run-up which allowed Wes to really take off. In addition the 3rd lap when Bishop crashed on the downhill after the off-camber allowed me to get away from the group and in to 2nd overall.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I almost got caught by the 4th place rider crossing the causeway. I knew I could pull away from her on the run-up, but I had to really kick it in. It worked out well because I think she put in a little too hard an effort right before a difficult section.
4. Do you have any pre-race rituals? What kind of a warm-up did you get in? What did you eat before the race?
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I have no pre-race rituals. I like to get about 35-45 minutes in on the trainer, then take a lap or two right before the race. I usually eat my homemade granola, toasted baguette with Nutella, and a banana for breakfast, then nothing until Jelly Belly Sport Beans during warm-up.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I wouldn’t call in a ritual I just have a routine. I pre-ride after the masters race and start to warm-up about 60 minutes before my start. I warm up on a trainer and try to get a few good intervals in the legs. At 30 minutes before the start I hit a Gu and change my baselayer so not to get cold on the line. If there is time I might do another lap of the course or just get back on the trainer. 15 minutes before I am at the start line.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Breakfast is important to me. I had a large bowl of oatmeal (real Irish oatmeal, the stuff you have to cook for 30 min) before leaving for the race. At the race I had second breakfast – a gel and some water. Oh and coffee. Lots of coffee.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I just try to ride the course a few times get a feel for it and try to stay warm.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): No. 2 laps. Egg and cheese croissant, 1 glazed donut, coffee from Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and an Enervit gel 10 to 15 min before the race.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I do not have any consistent rituals but I’ve started drinking Starbucks iced vanilla lattes 20 minutes before the race because I had a good result or two earlier in the season the first time I had one. I warmed up doing laps on the course. I had a croissant on the drive to the race and then one of those lattes and a hammer gel 20 minutes before the race.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I try not to get into a ritual so much so that I don’t get stressed about missing something. If anything I like to get to a race early and get a full pre ride in and warm up for 30 minutes on the trainer. I ate Kashi cereal and fruit for breakfast about 3 hours prior to racing.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Tried to eat well, stay warm, and not miss the callups.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Not as rituals per se, but I do the same things every time before races. I am a creature of habit. Warm up: 2 laps of the course, then riding around on the road or in the parking lot to keep warm. Breakfast: Oatmeal and orange juice. A bottle of Accelerade in warm up.
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): I rode one lap of the course for the most part but only to check out the ground conditions and refresh my memory. I did spin around and try to keep as warm as possible again this week.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Two weeks in a row I had French Toast…two weeks in a row I’m on the podium. I have a new ritual!
5. What tires (type, width and tubular or clincher) and pressure did you run? Do you think you made the right choice?
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): I only have Michelin Mud2 clincher tires that I was running at around 38PSI and they were fine for the race.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Challenge Grifo 32 tubulars. 30psi. It wasn’t such a choice as this is the only tire I have but felt they had good traction on the off camber portions.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I ran my Challenge Grifo tubulars with about 28psi. in the front and 30psi. in the back.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Clincher, Hutchinson 35’s at about 38. Probably could have run a little lower pressure, in the 36 range.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Tufo Elite LPS tubulars. Not sure of the width. Pressure was probably about 30. Yes, they’ve treated me well for 2 seasons, Stan’s and all.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): 32mm Grifo tubulars 28f/30r. I should have gone lower in the front but the rear ended up perfect because it has a slow leak.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I ran Tufo Flexus 32, 32 mm width, tubulars at 35 psi. I’m no tire expert but they felt good. I didn’t get sideways so they held pretty well in the snow, mud, and obviously on the road were fine.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Challenge Grifo tubulars, 34’s, I think. I ran really low pressure, maybe around 20 PSI, basically because I accidentally let too much air out at the start line. I didn’t have time to do anything about it and didn’t want to change bikes, so I rode what I brung. Actually, I think it ended up being a good tire pressure for the course.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Grifo’s, 35 psi in the front, 40 psi in the back tire.
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Challenge Grifo again. 32mm but would have like 34 today. I ran 30 PSI front and rear wouldn’t change anything.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Michelin Mud 2s. I started at 40 psi, but took some air out. I had good grip, and didn’t flat, so it seems to have been the right choice.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I ran Challenge Grifo’s at 35 psi on Easton EC90 aero wheels that obviously weren’t glued very well!
6. Anything out of the ordinary or remarkable stand out?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): The wind.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): The people cheering right before the long dam section were great, it was really motivating to hear them cheering for you.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): My crash on the left-hand off-camber, while not out of the ordinary for me, was pretty remarkable. I knew someone was going to eat it there, I just didn’t know it would be me! I had just bridged up to Arley (who was in 3rd) on the last lap when it happened. Nikki ended up catching me and it changed the whole race for me. Suddenly I was trying to figure out a strategy to stay in fourth without having to expend too much energy. My initial strategy was to out-sprint Nikki on the pavement into the finish, but it’s a long sprint and it was windy. I geared up to go, but the wind was too much. She drew even with me, so I fell back and sat on her wheel, using her as a lead-out to the finish. It worked, but just barely. I think I won the sprint by an inch! That was pretty amazing.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): The wind over that road section with the wooden bridge still has me wondering how we got through it. I had the bike leaned into it at about a 30 degree angle at one point while pedaling like mad.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Starting the U19s 30 seconds before us really threw me off. We started passing the younger kids right after the barriers and the whole race I would hear Joe commentating on the NCVCs being off the front so I thought I was much farther back then in reality. Jay rolling a tire and having to get off the bike twice to try and get it back on and still winning the race was pretty remarkable.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): I liked it when Joe Jefferson announced I had ridden myself into the top 20 of the guys. I knew it wasn’t true, but funny nonetheless. Also, Alicia Styer had an awesome race.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): There was a snow squall as we loaded up the car at the hotel. The front desk clerk clearly thought we were completely insane, going out to race bikes in that weather.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): The wind was remarkable to me. After crossing the bridge, making the right on the gravel I was actually getting blown sideways so hard I was sliding in the gravel.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Well, I am very happy with my result. It is my best result since 2003 so this one goes out to Tom McDaniel….HAHA!
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Nah, this was a pretty low-key race. Must have been the cold.
7. Are you heading to Nats? Or, is your season over? Any first impressions on either scenario?
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I am excited [about Nats]. I came down with a cold this week but I am feeling better. I just hope to have fun and to have a hard, fast ride.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I’m psyched for Nats, anxious to see where everything shakes out.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Sadly my 2008 season is over. I can say I learned a lot, made new friends, had a blast and improved in my ability to race a cross bike. I am already looking forward to Charm City Cross 9/20/09 and starting it all again!!
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): My season is over. I’m sort of sad, sort of ready to be done for a bit.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): The off season started when I crossed the finish line. I loved Nationals in Providence, but Kansas City is too far away and too much of a hassle. The off-season is good. It’s time.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): No. I registered [for Nats] but have decided not to go, so my season is over. I will take 2 weeks as transition, then begin base for the road season.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): My season is over. I’m hoping to make the last two weekends of the NC winter series but I won’t be training for them. My first race of the year was March 15th so I am glad to be done with the intense training for a while but I already feel depressed about there not being another huge get together, aka race, this weekend.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): My season this year is over.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Nope, my season is still going [at Nats].
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I will be going to Nats. Let’s hope the weather is good!
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): I can’t wait a whole year for Cross season!
8. Do you work with a coach? If so, how has it helped the most?
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I work with Kris Auer and Athlete Development Group. I owe Kris a great deal of my success this season and in my career. Kris is great at providing workouts that fit my schedule and are not too aggressive. Plus he is one of the few people who believed in me when nobody else would. I owe Kris a lot he is a great friend and coach.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I work with Kris Auer. He is a really good coach that has brought me a long way in this short cross season. I attribute much of this late season success to his solid coaching.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Yes, my coach is Kris Auer from the Athlete Development Group. Kris has been coaching me since way back in 2004 when I was on Team BBC. It really helps to have an expert outside opinion of how my training is coming and what my strengths are. He’ll tell me that I’m really strong this season or something and I’ll be very surprised! It’s too hard for me to see it, I ride with myself every day so I don’t notice the gains as much, but they are there.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Yes. Kris Auer with Athlete Development Group. Kris has given me daily workouts which really got my fitness where it needed to be to get podium results. My main goal pre-season was to just be competitive in the Masters 35+ Field based on previous years’ results. Kris’s coaching put me on top of the field and upgrading to Cat 2 and the Elite Masters 35+ field for next year.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Kris Auer (ADG) is my Coach and Sensei. Training me in the way of the Fist: Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.
[Ed. Note: To state the obvious, Kris Auer knows what he is doing when it comes to coaching cyclocross. Can he help you? Ask him and find out: kristopherauer(at)Verizon(dot)net]
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): With my mediocre performance I am a little embarrassed for myself and my coach, Mike Birner at Mid Maryland Coaching. Not having to think for myself when it comes to training has been the biggest help. I just do whatever I am told and let him worry about it, instead. I probably should have joined the army.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Yes, Mike Birner. Mike has been wonderful. I had some decent results at the beginning of the season but didn’t feel good during my races. I started working with Mike in October and he has worked wonders. Not only have I since scored my first MAC wins, but I don’t get as tired and fade during my races anymore. He also worked on my starts which have improved immensely.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): During the road season I worked with a coach and I really felt that I peaked at the times when I wanted to. This is my first cross season and didn’t really do anything specific for the season.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Yes. I love structure, so having training plans to follow suits me well. I have no idea what workouts I should be doing to train best, so I put myself in his hands.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Yes, Josef Brandauer. It has been a huge asset to my riding. I had very little guidance regarding cyclocross training before this season, so the new structure has played a huge role in my success.
9. Is CX your main focus? If not, what is? If it is, how long have you been riding cross?
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Road was my initial main focus, but with the success of this cross season, that may change. However, I will still be racing road with Hub Racing this upcoming season. This is my 2nd full cyclocross season.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): CX is my main focus. This my 8th or 9th year….I think.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): In terms of racing bikes, yes Cross is Boss. This is my third year racing cross, my first full season in B Masters.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): CX might be my main focus next year but road was last year I started riding cross the end of September.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Not really. I race a full road season as well. This was my third year of cross.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): All cross all the time. Except that I also race road and MTB in the spring and summer, but less intently than cross. This was the seventh year I’ve raced.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Yes. This is my second season racing cross and I attempt to race road to get ready for CX.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): CX is my main focus. This is my 3rd season.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I split my focus between road and cross, which makes for a long season. I’m more competitive at cross and I really enjoy it, but I really hate cold weather. I like riding in the summer and do really well in the heat. I also love the strategy of criterium racing, which doesn’t come into play in the smaller women’s fields of cyclocross. If I had to choose one sport though, I’d probably stick with cross – it’s my one true love! Besides, I have yet to lacerate my liver on a cyclocross course. Can’t say the same for road.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): No, but it will be next year! This is my first year at cross.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): This is my first year riding cross and it will be my main focus moving forward.
MIKE MIHALIK (Mens 2/3/4 3rd Place): Cyclocross was my main focus for this year. This was my second season racing cross. After my first season in 2007 I realized I really liked cross, and had a knack for it, so I tried to make it my main focus for this year.
10. Any words of wisdom for the aspiring cross racer?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Just do it!
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Always hit the line with a good attitude. You don’t need a smile on your face but be excited to race. Aim for the finish line.
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): Listen to your coach, it’s no coincidence that you do well when you listen.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Other than fitness, work on keeping speed through corners, over barriers, and dismounts/remounts. Those few seconds saved through each add up as your race goes on, and if you’re off the front it’s really important to ride smooth and remount fast.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Get to races more than an hour early and stay and watch how the more experienced racers ride the same course after your done.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Above all, make sure you’re having fun. It takes practice and experience to feel like you know what you’re doing, but cross is about the most fun you can have on a bike, even when you don’t know what you’re doing. The race scene is great-I’ve met a ton of very cool and fun people through racing.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Have fun. Give back to the sport. Don’t be one of the few dishrags who show up, race and go home, but still find time to complain about something that they think could have been done better.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): Ask questions and learn as much as possible about the sport, gear, training, everything because cross is a sport of inches. The racers who makes the least mistakes wins.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Its super fun, the people are really laid back and more than willing to help out a new rider, so don’t be afraid to ask! The more the merrier!
11. Other than race, what do you do?
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): I am a law student.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I am an elementary school Librarian in the city of Lancaster, PA.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I like to take things apart and put them back together. I like to cook. I read a lot and enjoy crossword puzzles. I dabble in ornithology.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Not a whole lot other than ride and work.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): Work, eat, sleep and train.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Accountant.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): I am a network “engineer.”
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I’m an electrician by day. I plan on spending a lot more time with my daughter and wife now that weekends are free. I’m also looking forward to getting back on the mountain bike.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): I work as a programmer at Johns Hopkins. I also knit a lot, cook and bake. I’m a regular Betty Crocker!
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Well after next week I’m hoping to get a bit of non bike related travel in. Maybe kayak a bit and see what other people do on the weekends.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Sales manager and Family man.
12. What are your goals for next year?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): To be competitive in the 3/4 35+ category.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I’m being transferred to Paris for work, so we’re hoping to race cross in France and Belgium!
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Build the cross race, Build the team and build the sport. I’d like to be answering these questions after nailing a podium at nationals.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Win Women’s 30-34 Cyclocross Master’s Nationals. It’ll be my last year in that age group, so I have to do it.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): I plan on racing the Elite Masters 35+ field and my goal is to make some top 10 finishes with those guys.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): Next year I hope to be competitive in the Bs with some top 10s and maybe even a win.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Haven’t really thought about it. Natz? Holding on for dear life in the elites?
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Place well in B cross races as well as have a strong showing as a CAT 3 on the road.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): I am looking to upgrade my Cat 4 license to a 3 and race the Elite Masters. Improve my ability to hold a pit bike and a drink and still have a smooth exchange. Develop witty answers to post race podium-finisher questionnaires.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I want to be more competitive at the national level and I want to give Wes a run for his money in the MAC.
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Keep moving up the rankings from this season.
13. Anything else you would like to say?
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): Thanks to the promoters, officials, and sponsors who put on a great race.
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Good luck to everybody from the Mid-Atlantic at nationals, see you there.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): Beets.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Thanks again to all of the promoters out there putting these events on, and everyone who raced in them. It’s been a great season and I look forward to seeing everyone next year.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): The season really flew by didn’t it.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Thanks Potomac Velo for putting on such a fine event. In fact, thanks to all the MAC and MABRA race promoters out there.
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): I’m going to miss my fellow “Old Ladies” and B Women racers.
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Cross is a great community of people that consistently give of themselves for the good of the racers and the sport. I would like to say thanks to all the people who have helped make Cross in the Mid-Atlantic a huge success!
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I would like to thank everyone on C3-Sollay.com and the DDCoD for a great season and all the great support. I would not be successful without it…You all Rock…
14. Give a shout out to somebody.
ANDREW WULFKUHLE (Elite Men 2nd Place): I would like to say hey to my wonderful wife Kat, my guinea pig Andy Jr., Fat Marc, Wes, Mike, Tom McDaniel, Newt, and Kris Auer…You guys rock!!
ARLEY KEMMERER (Elite Women 3rd Place): Hub Racing, Coach Josef, and therapist Ann who is working really hard to make my finger work again!
NORMAN BRACH (Masters 3/4 4th Place): Kris Auer for being so dedicated to growing the cross scene. He consistently gives his own time and money to help other people learn and enjoy the sport. The free cross clinic he runs is where I got started and still go to drill the fundamentals. He takes time out of his day to do this and riders of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate.
ERIC LUNDGREN (Mens 4 2nd Place): Thanks to Chris Mayhew for putting on the Pittsburgh cross practices, driving me to races, and giving me tons of advice for cross.
CHRISTINA BRISENO (Women 3/4 1st Place): Sonja Evers first and foremost for being my pit crew and so much more. Team CycleLife for the moral support. Mike Birner for what he’s been able to achieve with a pretty stubborn client over the last 2 months.
STEVE RISKUS (Mens 4 3rd Place): My wife for always coming out and watching the dog. I’d like to thank Birner and all my teammates, especially Chris and Aaron. I’d like to thank Scott Stahl for keeping me stoked to race the final few weeks. Also anyone that cheers for me at races. I can’t believe how many people cheer for me at races sometimes. It really feels great when you hear friends and strangers shouting for you when you are really hurting. Finally I’d like to thank all the racers that haven’t kicked my ass for heckling them mercilessly during their race.
JOE LILLIBRIDGE (Masters 35+ Cat 2/3/4 1st Place): Shout out once again to my wife and daughter putting up with me being gone for a day or more a weekend since September…much love. Another shout out to Kris Auer for some great coaching.
HEIDI VON TEITENBERG (Elite Women 4th Place): My team is the best! Their cheering motivated me to do better than I thought I could, drove me to keep going and not give up. Every inch of that course was covered by someone in the black & blue who was yelling at the top of their lungs when I rode by. They always cheer like that, regardless of whether you’re in first place or last. That’s awesome!
MARK BROADWATER (Mens 2/3/4 4th place): I want to thank my team, the sponsors, and all of my teammates for really being there for me this entire year. Thank you C3-Sollay!
KRISTOPHER AUER (Elite Masters 3rd Place): Same shout out. C3-Sollay.Com and all its members and sponsors. Thanks for a great season.
JAY MORALI (C Men 1st Place): C3/Sollay!
KAREN TOURIAN (Women 45+ 1st place): My team, Guy’s Racing, and my strongest supporter, my husband Rolf.
