By Robert Annis
Nicole Borem on her way to the win © Planet Adventure
A day after a tough, muddy race in Bargersville, athletes enjoyed a fast, somewhat technical change of pace at the Planet Adventure-Gray Goat at the Fair Cross.
After finishing second the day before in the Indiana state championship, Nicole Borem (Bob’s Red Mill) took the Elite women’s victory. Competing in a ripped skinsuit from a crash earlier this month, Borem showed few lingering effects from the previous day’s muddy battle, blazing through the flat course. Borem, who won last month at the Zipp CX race at the Indy Cycloplex, defeated second-place finisher Elizabeth Cobb (Bikereg.com) by nearly 30 seconds. Gerry Schulze (Biowheels) rounded out the podium.
Borem said afterward the victory not only gave her some needed information, but would boost her confidence heading into next month’s nationals in Madison.
“A few weeks ago I felt happy just to finish a race somewhere near the leaders, and now my mindset has switched back to racing to win,” Borem said. “That type of drive is necessary for Nats because everyone is striving to win a National Championship. Winning today really helps me know I can put the whole package together, but it was also good to not have a cake walk Saturday. I was able to recognize I was not starting as strong I need to, especially in muddy conditions, and I was able to correct that problem today before I line up at nationals in a few weeks.”
Burke narrowly took Fred Rose for the win. Andy Messer took third. © Planet Adventure
Fred Rose (Bikereg.com) led much of Sunday’s race, but Michigan’s Tom Burke (Specialized Michigan) pipped him by less than seven seconds to win the Elite men’s race. Andy Messer (Wagner Research) came in third.
The Indiana Cup series concludes New Year’s Eve with the season’s second race at Traders Point. That same day, the Indiana MTB series will officially launch with its inaugural dirt crit. For more details or to register, visit www.planetadventurerace.com.
