Team Kaos on the Podium at Tour de Husker.

Kevin Limpach started out the Tour de Husker weekend in impressive style, holding off a hard charging pack to finish with a solo win in the category 123 road race around Branched Oak Park.  On lap 2 of 5 he and Jay Thomas (Midwest Cycling Community/Trek) broke off and developed a gap of about 2 minutes.  Thomas flatted and dropped out, but Limpach was still able to stay out on his own despite the best efforts of the MWCC group.   Although the gap shrunk Limpach was still able to coast across the finish line with his hands in the air.  He was greatly aided by teammates John Vondracek (3rd place), Jarred Berger, Chris Spence, Joe McWilliams, Matt ODonnell, John Rokke and Justin Maresh, who all finished in the main pack.   

In the category 4 race Brent Robinson finished in 5th place, with Jason Johaning and Rich Pearson finishing in the main pack and Scott Bullfinch not far behind.  (Mark Heubner had 2 flats and dropped out).  KC Carnes finished mid-pack in the cat 5 race and Suzanne Wilson won the women's race. 

Sunday brought perfect weather on short fast crit course at the Innovation Park in Lincoln.  In the collegiate races two Team Kaos members competed on their collegiate teams.   Graham Williams got 3rd in the CD group and Justin Maresh got 3rd in the AB group.  The masters event started the USAC events, with Matt ODonnell (3rd place), Rich Pearson (5th), Mark Weitzel (7th), and Scott Bullfinch.  In category 5 we had young Andrew Karstrom, who won in the juniors in his first race ever. Our category 4 riders Patrick Sumrell, Glen Houtchens, and Jason Johaning finished in midpack, even though Sumrell and Johaning went down in a 4 man pile up that briefly stopped the race.

In the 123race  Chris Spence was one of a foursome that broke away and eventually lapped the field.  Lucas Marshal (Midwest Cycling Community), Lee Bumgarner (Team Mack) and Kent McNeil (MWCC) charged hard at the last corner and Spence lost their wheel and came in fourth. In the mad sprint of the main group Joe McWilliams nabbed 2nd (6th overall) while Jordan Ross, and Jarred Berger finished in the bunch.  (John Vondracek, Matt ODonnell, and John Rokke were pulled earlier).

All agreed that the weather was superb and the event was well organized by the UNL Cycling Club and race director Ben Dilley. 

Here is a YouTube video of the road race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27g3SzkvRGc

check the Team Kaos Facebook page for more photos.

Team Kaos Starts the Year with Three on the Podium

Masters riders Matt ODonnel, Mark Weitzel and Scott Bullfinch started out the year in fine style, landing on the podium in the masters races at Perry Kansas on March 18th.  The weather cooperated with dry but windy conditions, continuing the pattern of above normal temperatures for this time of year.  Matt ODonnel won the 50+ competition over 6 other competitors, including teammate Mark Weitzel who came in third.  In the 60+ competiion Scott Bullfinch was on the third step of the podium, behind Dean Parker and Sam Roberts, arch rivals of team president Rich Pearson, who was unable to attend.  

Several Team Kaos riders are readying themselves for our first local race--the UNL Tour de Husker on March 24th and 25th, consisting of a road race on saturday at Branched Oak State Park and a criterium on Sunday in Lincoln on a new course.   After that there are events almost every weekend, either in mountain biking, road bikes or triathlons.  

Last weekend we tried a new venture--team kaos group rides at the Flying J truck stop south of Gretna. A few brave souls fought the winds for a pleasant 45 mile ride.  The rides will continue at 10 am on the first and third saturdays of each month.   Although it is organized around Team Kaos, other non-kaos riders are welcome to join in the fun.