Weekend Racing Report - August 12, 2006

Ore-To-Shore Mountain Bike EPIC, Negaunee to Marquette, Michigan

Despite being a road racing team, sometimes there's a mountain bike race too good to pass up. If you decide to do one mtn bike race, this is the one. 48 miles, point-to-point. This year dry conditions made for lots of dust and a very sandy trail. Believe me, sucking in that red, iron ore, laden dust for 3+ hours was challenge enough. For me (Joe L.) personally, the race HURT like never before. The day after the race I felt like someone had beat me with a baseball bat. That's the extent of my race report.

Competing in the race were Mark Caswell, Joe Lekovish, Tom Kelly and junior team member, Taylor Birmann.

Here's the race website if you're interested Ore-To-Shore, Here's the race report from the local Marquette newspaper, The Mining Journal. The race was won by a Michigan racer, Mike Simonson of Bell's Mountain bike team, who totally dominated and finished 4+ minutes ahead of the chasers in 2nd and 3rd place. Mike averaged 20MPH for the race, which is BLISTERING fast for a mtn bike race!!!

Speaking of BLISTERING FAST, Sunrise Sports Junior racer Taylor Birmann put in an incredible ride to place 3rd overall in the 1/2 sized version of the Ore-To-Shore race, the 28 mile SoftRock. Despite being 20 miles shorter than the full version, the HardRock, this race is still a tough one. In addition to making the podium, Taylor was also awarded the prestigious Pioneer Surgical Technology Cup award, which is awarded to the best maile and female racers under 15 years old in the SoftRock race. These racers have their names engraved in the base of the cup, which is HUGE. I mean it's almost just like the Stanley Cup. It's a beautiful silver and stands about 4 ft tall. Incredible!!! The cup is displayed in the club house of the Superior Land Ski Club, whom are the promoters of the race.

You can find the full race results for

Hard Rock

Soft Rock

Searchable

Here's some pictures of the race.

Taylor Birmann at the start of the Ore-To-Shore SoftRock race!

Another of Taylor Birmann at the start of the Ore-To-Shore SoftRock race with beautiful Teal Lake and downtown Negaunee, Michigan in the background!

Taylor Birmann at the start of the Ore-To-Shore SoftRock race!

The start line of the Ore-To-Shore HardRock race. Yes, it's a mass start, all 1400 hundred racers at once!

Joe Lekovish at the finish (I was in some serious physical distress and laid on that blanket for 30 minutes before I could stand up!)

Mark Caswell at the finish. Most racers faces were black/red with dust after the race!

The Pioneer Surgical Technology Cup, which now has the name of Sunrise Sports Junior Racer, Taylor Birmann, engraved on the base!