Nebraska Cycling News

Brian Jensen (Jelly Belly) getting back on his bike after running up Hooligan Hill. Once Brian took the lead he never gave it up and went on to win the Category 1,2,3 race. Photo John Peterson.

Lincoln, Neb. –

Now the Lawence, Kan., rider hopes someone takes notice of his victories from Saturday and Sunday’s Cat. I-II-III races at Lincoln’s Pioneers Park.

“I’m still looking for a team for next year,” Jensen said after changing out of his Jelly Belly team kit for the podium presentation. The 2006 season was his first as a professional after winning 20 races as an amateur in 2005. Sunday’s race was his third cyclocross victory of the season to go along with nine wins on the road.

“I don’t have the skills for cyclocross when it comes to the turns so I was lucky we had a straightaway where I could make up time on the asphalt,” Jensen said. “Each race, I seem to be getting a little bit better.”

Jensen beat Trek/VW’s Bill Stolte by 30 seconds Sunday and by 32 seconds on Saturday when the fast, dry 1.5-mile course included 12 trips up “Hooligan Hill.”

“Bill’s a good rider and he’s never easy to beat,” Jensen said. “He had a bit of a mishap Saturday early on so I got a gap and was able to hold him off.”

Riders enjoyed favorable weather conditions both days, with sunny skies, virtually no wind and temperatures in the low 50s.

Sunday’s race doubled as the Nebraska State Cyclocross Championship. Lincoln rider Tony Wilhelm of Trek/VW, who finished fourth overall (47 seconds behind Jensen) won the gold medal. It was a remarkably stronger performance than Saturday when he faded from third to 12th in two laps. Lincoln Plating-Lemond’s Aaron Pool of Lincoln took

Tony Wilhelm (Trek/VW) crossing the finishline to become the Nebraska State Champion, with Aaron Pool (Lincoln Plating) close behind challenging. Photo John Peterson

The Nebraska State women’s cyclocross crown went to Lincoln Plating-Lemond’s Sydney Brown, who also won on Saturday. Brown only took up cycling in July but has won 11 races since, including the Nebraska state road title.

“You get a little success so you want a little more so you work a little harder,” Brown said. “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of support from family, friends, and especially my team. Everyone has been so willing to share their knowledge and even equipment with me.”

The other Nebraskans who won state championships Sunday were: Kevin Limpach (Cat. III-IV), Bill Becker (Cat. IV), Eric Brown (Jr. Men), Marc Walter (Masters 35+) and Randall Crist (Masters 45+).

More photos in the photo gallery very soon. 
Photos by David Story.

Sidney Brown (Lincoln Plating) leads up Hooligan Hill on the first lap. She never relinquished the lead on the way to the state title. Photo John Peterson

Cat. III/IV: 1, Chris Hansen, Team 14 Productions, Webster City, Iowa. 2, Josh Taylor, Slimenundgrossen, Olathe, Kan. 3, Todd Davis, KCOI Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. State Champion: Kevin Limpach, Nebraska Cycle/Highgear, Lincoln.

Cat. IV: 1, Elliott McCalley, The Wheel Cyclery, Kansas City, Mo. 2, Chris Wallace, Team X, Shawnee Mission, Kan. 3, Mike Gaherty, Billy Goat Midwest Summit Racing, Blue Springs, Mo. State Champion: Bill Becker, unattached, Bellevue.

Women: 1, Sydney Brown, Lincoln Plating-Lemond, Lincoln. 2, Jennifer Herrell, KCOI Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. 3, Janna Vavra, Ciao Baby, Lincoln. State Champion: Brown.

Jr. Men: 1, Eric Brown, unattached, Lincoln.

Masters 35-and-over: 1, Froese. 2, David Hejduk, Team X, Overland Park, Kan. 3, Steve Songer, Team X, Overland Park, Kan. State Champion: Marc Walter, Lincoln Plating-Lemond, Omaha.

Masters 45-and-over: 1, Tom Price, Trek Bicycle of KC/localcycling.com, Overland Park, Kan. 2, Andy Lucas, Team X, Kansas City, Mo. 3, Randall Crist, Omaha Velo Club, Omaha. State Champion: Crist.