Tristan Calls in With Chequamegon Race Recap

This past weekend had a lot going down in the Mountain Bike World. Coinciding with the National Championships in California was a race that has become a championship of its own. Located up nort in the Woods of Wisconsin (right next to the fishing hall of fame), Chequamegon is one of those events that gives you goose-bumps just lining up in the sea of colored lycra. Last time I did this race was back in '98 when I slept on the start line to get a good position! It should be a pilgrimage for every mountain biker to do once in his/her lifetime.




On Saturday, Doug Swanson (Trek/VW) powered to his second Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival win in the last three years. He punched the sky in a victory salute as he crossed the finish line to win by two bike lengths over three-time champion Steve Tilford (Verge/Shimano).

Swanson of Plymouth, Minn. Captured the most hotly contested Chequamegon in the 23-year history of the race, finishing the 40-mile off-road race in two hours and ten minutes. Four former champions finished within seven seconds of each other. Besides Tilford, Jeff Hall (Salsa) placed 6th, and last year'’s winner, Brian Matter (PCW) finished 7th.

Tristan finished up 5th, only 2 seconds back behind Doug. I hope his effort last weekend (during the G-24 Global Championships) didn't put him too far in "the pain cave" coming into Midwest's own world championships. Schouten did throw down on Sunday winning the crit!