I’ve yet to come across much negative reaction to last week’s Tour of America’s Dairyland -- gripes have been limited to the low fee-to-payout ratio -- so I’m still surprised so few Chicago riders headed up. Now that it’s an established event, I hope the series is even bigger and better in 2010.

We had a good showing at Saturday’s criterium on the famed Downer Avenue course. Adam Leibman (ABD) has been riding well and won the 4/5’s. Ricardo Otero (WDT-Allvoi) picked up his first 3’s win, followed by James Bird (IS Corps) in 2nd and Joe Bippus (South Chicago Wheelmen) in 6th. Henry Loud (Team Pegasus) didn’t climb the 3’s podium over the weekend, but still found nice profit, picking up a $100 prime Saturday and $75 on Sunday in Waukesha.

Devon Haskell (Team BH USA) spent the weekend locked in a tight battle for the overall, but Verducci Breakaway was aggressive in defending its jersey. In the series’ final race Sunday, two Verducci riders broke free, including overall leader Jessie MacLean. Haskell finished the series in 2nd, eight points down, with Jessi Prinner (ABD) in 6th.

Full results.

Downer Avenue reports
John Coyle (Wolverine Sports Club; 35+ 1/2/3): “Too long a sprint with a slight incline -- not the best sort of finish for me.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “I spent the whole 50 minutes wishing I had pulled out the lap before.”

Kristin Wentworth (Team Kenda; W-P/1/2/3): “A buddy of mine shouted out to me that I had won! I was shocked and didn’t believe him.”

Downer Avenue photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Waukesha reports
Team BH USA (W-P/1/2/3): “Hopefully the good word gets out about this series so that the numbers grow in years to come.”

Chad Hartley (Geargrinder; P/1/2): “I have had a few requests as to how my leg is doing.  Awesome.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “Three crashes happened and all were because of retarded reasons.”

Kristin Wentworth (Team Kenda; W-P/1/2/3): “I was in good position and took an inside line on the last corner and charged toward the line.”

Waukesha photos
Extreme Photography