Wissink and Swartz pick up where they left off

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Mike Wissink (Specialized) and Anne Swartz (Flying Rhino’s/Kinetic Systems Bicycles) doubled up their wins at the start of the Michigan cyclo-cross season. The racing got off to a fantastic start in Michigan this past weekend with a double header put on by Tailwind and Kinetics Systems Bicycles in Waterford Michigan.

Beneath sunny skies, temperatures in the 70’s and a fast course that featured the largest flyover in the Midwest - aptly named the “Orange Crush” - it had all the makings for an incredible weekend of 'cross racing.

Last year's champions in both the Elite Men’s and Women’s categories continued with their winning ways on both days of racing. 2008 USGP Masters 35+ champion Mike Wissink and 2008 Michigan State cyclo-cross Champion Anne Swartz began this season where they left off last year with the top spots for both days of racing.

Saturday saw a close race in the Elite Men’s race with Mike Wissink out sprinting Jeff Weinert (Wolverine/American Cycle & Fitness) at the line for the win, Tom Burke ( Lathrup Industries/Giant) was 3rd. Anne Swartz put on a dominant performance in the Elite Women’s race, easily winning her event by a margin of more than two minutes over Marne Smiley and Kelly Patterson (Wolverine/American Cycle & Fitness).

Sunday saw was a case of déjà vu, with Wissink dominating the Elite Men's race from the 1st lap and took the win by a margin of 41 seconds over the Tom Burke followed closely by Tim Saari (Essex Brass).

Anne Swartz stumbled over a set of barriers on her 1st lap, but recovered and went on to another great performance by winning with a margin of 1:04 over here closest competitors, who were once again Smiley and Patterson.

Both Wissink and Swartz, along with a contingent of Michigan 'cross racers, will be testing their skills against some of the best CX racers in the country at the Planet Bike cup in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on 26-27 September.