Race Report for Cyclocross Worlds and Nationals

Team Feedback's own Chris Case came away with silver medals in the two most prestigious Cyclocross races of the season for Masters racers. Here is the inside story on the hugely successful road trip to Madison, Wisconsin and Louisville, Kentucky. It was a true team effort. In Chris' own words:

"There's nothing like going "pro" for a week and a half. Long ago in the cyclocross season, I committed to racing both the cyclocross National Championships in Madison, Wisc. and Masters World Championships (for the first time they were being held outside of Europe, in Louisville, Kentucky). And I think I did a good job of convincing some of my teammates--and more importantly, convincing Doug--that we should turn this into a great road trip/cyclocross team extravaganza for Team Feedback Sports. I think we did just that.

Feedback employee Sammy Rutherford and elite racer (and fellow employee) Tim Allen packed up the van with 9 bikes and 20 sets of wheels, work stands, A-frames, tents, luggage, buckets, brushes, and one mighty subwoofer and hit the road for Madison. Lisa, Doug, Greg, and I would meet them a few days later in Wisconsin and start racing. From the start it was an incredible trip. We all had great fun, whether we were racing or pitting, hanging out in the Feedback tent or celebrating at dinner.

Personally, I had a great race at Nationals, in sloppy conditions (not my greatest strength), sitting in a battle for second place for most of the race. Word was we pulled back 21 seconds on the leader in the last lap, to no avail. He held us off, and I held on for silver. Next year Madison, bring on the snow!

Then Sammy, Tim, and I hit the road, conducting a goodwill tour through the Heartland, visiting bike shops in Chicago and Indianapolis, before reaching Louisville. I was being touted as the pro, just hitching a ride, and that was fine by me. After all, I was living like a pro, as Sammy and Tim took care of my bikes before, during, and after the races, and all I had to do was put up with their antics and musical taste. Not a bad deal.

Louisville was a very bittersweet experience. The fields were not terribly deep, nor seemingly that strong, but it was still the World Championships. And I was really focused on a win. It's been a long time since I was this pumped and confident that I could do really well. And from the gun it all came together. I took the lead within a half lap of the start, and I never really felt pressured. I extended my lead to 20 seconds at one point and then just settled in.

Sammy and Tim were phenomenal in the pits, as I got a clean bike every half lap.


I can't thank them enough for being an incredible crew before, during, and after each race.

My lead came down at times, but once I knew it was dropping I was able to extend it again at will. I felt like the day was mine. And then, just as Dave Towle was announcing how I had dominated the race, I entered the last corner of the last lap, 100 meters from the finish line.

Suddenly, after a run up, I realized my chain had dropped and I was immediately in a different world. By the time I got it back on, my 15-second lead had vanished and the race was about to slip away. I jumped back on my bike only to see the second place rider slide by... the rest is history. I tried to bring it all back in the sprint but it was too late.

A silver medal on any other day would have been phenomenal. On this day, it stung just a bit.

Still, I can't say enough about the experience of being on a real team, with great teammates, fine friends, incredible athletes, a superb crew, with great support, and loads of camaraderie. If you ever have a chance to go "pro" do not hesitate. But make sure you do it with the Feedback Sports team.

Until next year.... "