Dendel and Guerra return strong in WORS Opener

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The Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) returned for 2015 this past Sunday with the Iola Bump-N-Jump in Iola, WI. The traditional series opener has often times been fraught with the remnants of a Wisconsin winter that is well past its welcome. This was not one of those time. Racers were somewhat surprised to be treated to temperatures soaring into the 80's, which also made for a very fast and dry course.

The Pro Men's race, sponsored by BelGioioso, was decorated with plumes of dust as the leaders sped through. A very courageous Justin Piontek (Adventure 212/Specialized) took an early lead as he sprinted up the first couple of hills. Piontek was reeled in by the likes of Corey Stelljes (Motorless Motion/Cannondale), Brian Matter (KS Energy/ Mosh), Tristan Schouten (Rolf Prima/ Attitude Sports), and Nathan Guerra (Vision Cycling). Also joining the lead group was Ben Senkerik (Team Extreme). Senkerik hung onto the back of the pack while Piontek fell behind him. Each of the front four men took their turn pulling the lead. Stelljes recalled that at any point of the race, he was unsure who would take the win. Schouten commented that he felt that Guerra and Stelljes were the strongest on the climbs, but that played to his advantage allowing him to gain some ground while they conserved their matches in the flat sections. Guerra and Stelljes were the clear leaders when it came to the hills. Guerra used his knowledge of the course and the technique of 2014 Iola Winner, Joseph Maloney, to make a smart move and secure his victory. Knowing that he was the stronger climber, Guerra positioned his attack about midway through the final lap on the longest climb of the race.

Racers refer to this hill as "the wall" and is it followed by mostly single track with only small segments of double track for the remainder of the race. As if in slow motion, Guerra added a second at a time to his gap over the rest of the men, eventually grabbing the win. Stelljes tried to hang with Guerra but came up short by only 17 seconds, finishing second. Matter took third step on the podium with Schouten and Senkerik behind him in that order.

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The women were not going to be outdone by the men. Finishing first of all of the pros was Cooper Dendel (Quick Stop Bike Shop). Dendel rocketed off the start, never to be seen again by her competitors until the race was over. Dendel finished the 2014 season as the overall points leader, dethroning Abby Strigel after her several consecutive overall wins. Cooper kept up her reputation by laying down the early win. The second woman to cross the finish was Leia Schneeberger (Magnus) who considered her second place finish a win, since Cooper seems to be on a whole different level. Schneeberger's finish was the second time she finished in second place behind Dendel, since moving up to Cat 1.

Behind her was the other Guerra to earn a podium finish in Iola. Lindsay Guerra (Vision Cycling) is the wife of Nathan Guerra and also a pretty fast rider, too. She has taken some time off from racing the past few years as their family has grown and now she is returning to remind the other women that she is still fast. Not far behind Guerra was Sarah Agena (Hidden Bay/Ciderboys). Agena was happy with her finish in fourth. She finished the 2014 season in 4th overall which earned her the "504" number plate. The season is starting off strong for all of these ladies and there are still 11 more WORS events left in the season.

The next race will be held at Camp Tesomas in Rhinelander, WI on May 17th. The course is heavily forested, containing a mix of hardwoods and pine plantations. The soil is ideally suited for mountain biking, made up of rock, sand and clay. Rain or shine, the surface holds up well to the pounding of bike tires. 

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