Monsters of the Midway wrap-up

The University of Chicago Velo Club celebrated Mothers Day with its beloved Monsters of the Midway criterium -- MoM, natch -- one of only two amateur road races within Chicago city limits.

A slight breeze off the lake kept things chilly, but the sun finally crept out by the afternoon. Monsters is always a fun afternoon, and riders had a surprise delight in the fresh pavement that replaced the treacherous rock quarry that had existed turns 2 and 3.

Among the highlights:

• » Mark Swartzendruber (Delta Faucet), noted time trialist and Truesport raconteur, made a morning appearance. Everyone knew that any winning break would involve him and pursued his wheel accordingly. He was like the pied piper leading so many rats -- filthy, parasitic rats. In the 30+ race he finally broke free solo for the last 2 laps, but he couldn't shed the Mack hordes in the 40+ and finished in the pack.
• » With Dave Shaer (MetCycling) and Clark Priebe (Team Mack) off the front in the 40+, Ansgar Graw (MetCycling) had a spectacular crash sprinting for third. Fortunately he was upright and smiling within seconds, and somehow the field avoided the carnage.
• » Marek Serafin (WDT) continued his domination of ABR criteriums. The man is 5 for 5: His Cat 3 victory comes comes after sweeping the Parkside series and winning the spring Kenosha criterium.
• » More than 80 riders lined up for the Cat 4 race. Jordan Heimer (RVO) took a prime and held a sizable gap for several early laps, but it was 14-year-old John Tomlinson (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) who sprinted out of the usual mayhem of the final corner to claim his first victory in a senior race.

Full results.

Race reports:
Ron Cook (ABD; 30+): "Lots of attacks, which kept it interesting. It was also very smooth like a 30+ should be. Nobody panicking, just good clean racing."

Julian Baumgartner (Team Clif Bar Midwest; 3, P/1/2): "It was a hard day of racing ... that made me remember why it is I love going around in circles with my lungs on fire and legs ready to crack."

Greg Heck (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3): "I essentially sat towards the back of the pack for 50 minutes, making sure no one got off the back. I think I did a really good job of this, and no one got off the back until the last two laps."

Ed Hernandez (North Branch Cycling): "The most challenging aspect was convincing moms that spending a day out in 60 degree weather watching mindless bike racing was the ideal way to spend their special day."

Chris Lozyniak (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3, P/1/2): "We're not going to beat Serafin from behind. The guy is his own airline. He needs no sponsorship ... Serafin deserved that win because his team dictated the final moments of the race."

Brian Morrissey (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 4): "Too many brakes, and it was impossible to find a steady wheel on which to carve a clean line."

Shawn Small, et al (Team Pegasus; 4, 5): "The aspect that pumped me up most was having a large and awesomely obnoxious cheering section."

Mark Swartzendruber (Delta Faucet; 30+, 40+): "[The race] left most of the observers, officials and experienced racers in the field scratching their heads wondering what madness they had just been a part of."

Jeff Wat (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3, 4): "When my expectations are too high, I kick myself right out of contention."

Bob Willems (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 40+): "It was a relief to hear the rest of the field talking about how hard the race was afterward."

Shane Winn (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3): "The Lot guys really deserve kudos for executing flawlessly."

The Editor (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 30+, 3, P/1/2): "I walked over to the officials and drew a finger across my throat. I was done."

Photos:
Danegrande
Cliff Golz
MetCycling
XXX Racing-AthletiCo

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