Kauper WINS TPR Style

(Tutu style)
 

Event Name:	SCX Season Finale @ Monroe
Date:	November 25, 2012
Description:	The final race of the Seattle Cyclocross Series took place Sunday at the Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Significant rain fell the few days before the race and despite some sunshine, the course had its mud and slick spots. Utilizing the small elevation gains on the property, the course had racers working through mix of twisting turns, off-camber areas, a short run up, a mud pit, and some packed sand. With double points and series overall titles on the line the course and conditions would help make for an interesting day of racing. (credit Kenton Berg CX magazine)
Cat 3 35+ Men:	1st - Greg (the Tutu) Kauper

In the back of Greg Kauper's mind this was going to be the LAST race TPR would participate in.  With the team disbanding and cyclecross season coming to an end this event would truly mark the end of the TPR era. 

Kauper held no hope of winning a series championship and no prize money dreams.  This effort was fuled strictly on the desire to end the TPR era with a 'W'.

Kauper got the hole shot and led the race from the gun.  Brian Buton from Audi managed to close in on the Tutu on the last lap but Kauper out kicked him from the final turn for an exciting two up sprint finish.

piece, and keep leaving prints

Closin out MFG TPR Hooalgantic Style

 

Event Name:	MFG Woodland Park Series Finalie
Date:	Nov 2012
Description:	As reported in CX Magazine (http://www.cxmagazine.com/daniel-fisher-claim-woodland-park-wins-seattle-cyclocross)  Cool temperatures, darkening skies, and a fast, tacky race course was the order of the day for the final race of the 2012 MFG Cyclocross Series. With overall series wins on the line in many of the categories the racing was already primed for a contentious day, but add in huge crowds and a fast course and the action was brought to a new level. Woodland Park, the iconic setting just north of downtown Seattle, has been the scene of all four season-ending races in the MFG series and has traditionally seen some of the biggest crowds and racer turnouts of all local races. This year was no exception as Terry Buchanan, co-founder of the MFG series, noted that 1126 racers took part on the day. This number represents a near doubling of the racer count from the introductory year of MFG in 2009 and is a testament to the product the folks at MFG have delivered since first introducing their series to the cyclocross-crazy Seattle scene.
Cat 3 Mst Men:	3rd - Kauper 18th-Dean 19th-Woerner
Cat 4 Men:	9th - Jasper 12th - Seeley

The TPR Tutu Crew showed up ready for some serious cross action and less serious post race Hoopla.

The Cat 4 fields saw record attendance at over 275 races.  TPRs Lane Seeley and Dean Jasper pulled off respectable results admist multiple crashes and mechanicals.

 

 



 

The Cat 3 fields saw less entrants but the steaks were high as Kauper was attempting to gain a second placing in the overall series.  Toeing the line were Kauper, Dean, and Woerner.

"Quality not Quantity" Kauper muttered as racers were called to the line.  Aparently trying to chanel the facial hair energy (see The Hairy Tuth http://www.thumbprintracing.org/2011/10/hairy-truth.html) , Kauper sported a fresh new look for the event.

Crashes again hampered the TPR crew's attempts at podium steps.

Jeff Woerner went down but managed to 'flex' his might on the field finishing in the top 20.

 

 



Ryan Dean also had a strong showing. Het got of to an early lead but was duped by a couple of single speed "ringers" disguised in sheeps clothing.

Greg Kauper unfortuately did not get the result he was looking for.  Series winner  Brian B. got away early and was not seen again.  Kauper led the chase after the first lap and was not able to close in on BB.  Kauper miscalculated the final turn and over cooked it losing second place to one of the single speed ringers.

All in all it was a fantastic event.  TPR member, friends and family heckled afternoon racers and 'left prints all up in the place'.

 

 



Tutu's on Top

 

Event Name:	Sprinker Cross Race
Date:	October 27, 2012
Description:	Fast and semi technical course in Tacoma.  Promoted by Seattle Cyclecross.
Cat 3 35+:	1st - Greg Kauper 5th - Ryan Dean

Ladies and Gentlemen Kauper has won again.

This is his first 'W' in the rough and tumble Cat 3 mens 35+ field.  He clawed his way to a leading role on a field that included Martin Turek and never looked back.

"Front of the bike race!", "Coming through!" was heard across the whole field as he charged his way past riders Jess Cutler and Erik Anderson to name but a few.

He also rode the spine-chilling off camber switch back to the cheers and jeers of the hoots of NW cross fans...

"I knew that if I could get a good start and stay upright, the training and technical skills would carry me past the competition.  Lately, crashes and mechanicals have hampered my results.  I'm looking forward to Woodland (MFG Season Finalie 11/14).  I might not be the strongest, but I like to think my technical skills should help me post up one more time this season.  Hopefully the course will not be "dummied" down. 

Big thanks to SCX Promotor for offering prizes for the category winners,  Greg's and Ryan's families ate Sunday night.

Cheers!!

TuTu Power

 

Event Name:	Magnuson Park Cross
Date:	October 21st, 2012
Description:	Another cross race for the masses.  A pretty mundane course on the shores of Lake Washington.  Nothing technical, just a full throttle cross race.
Cat 3 35+:	2nd - Greg Kauper
Cat 4 Men:	4th  -  Dean Jasper

RAIN RAIN,  come our way!

After a much touted weekend of showers and storms Sunday shaped up to be cold with sun breaks.  Being a group who enjoys the more technical side of cross, we were hoping for some creative corners, off camber sections, run ups and descents.  After the course map was published, we deferred to mother nature to make up for the lack of course creativity in the form of mud and water.  It was not to be, the ground soaked up the rain like a sponge.

Dean lined up for the Cat 4 race donning Tutu.  After rolling a tyre at Starcrossed Dean had something to prove and prove he did.  Without a callup Dean managed to get a great start and put himself in the lead pack.  The 4s field was HUGE, 75 guys minimum.

Dean's bike handeling and patience paid off.  He smoothly navigated the course for three laps and put himself in the lead group of 5.

On the last two laps Dean dropped two or three guys and put himself in a great position for the finish. 

Unfortunately on the final sprint Dean zigged when he should have zagged and got pinched out from coming around for the win.  Congrats Dean for a 4th place finish.

Even though it's cross, the "peleton" (is that what they call themslves in the dirt?) considers themselves "serious" and could not resist jabbing the Tutu.  "Is that the point's leaders Tutu?", "did you lose a bet", "tutu scare Mongo"...

Greg has been dying to get a cross clash sticker but can't seem to figure a way to get around his nemesis so far this season.  Today, beating his nemesis was his MAIN goal and was feeding the race fire.

Gun goes off and Greg nailed the hole shot.  Matt O. came around after "the crack" and took over leading the first lap.  Greg sensed Matt fading back a bit and hit the gas big time.  The field was huge and not broken up yet.  Matt offered words of encouragement as Greg took off.  Martin T and Brian B quickly responded and grabbed Greg's wheel..  And that's how it went for the next 6 laps.  The three traded attacks and no one really pulled away. 

The last time up the "hill" Greg hit the gas a little bit and Martin responded with his own attack.  Martin managed to get a great line on the final turn and hold on down the home stretch.  Greg held on for second but the elusive cross clash sticker rode away from Greg once again.

SCX #3 Silver Lake

the only thing worse than getting beaten in a race is to be beaten by a guy wearing a tutu

sand power

more sand power

2nd win of the year!

Is that beer in the corner of my eye?

I think a little different dismount is in order.

 All pics (except a couple from Greg) via Woodinville Bikes - thank you!!


SCX #3 Silver Lake

TuTu's rally for the best CX course of the year on the shores of idyllic Silver Lake.  Unfortunately all was not well as in the lead up to the race, Ryan tried to get the necessary USAC upgrade to allow him to race against his usual suspects in the Cat 3 35+.  But the promoter as well as the area USAC coordinator felt it was more important to enforce the letter of the law at the expense of the intent - fair competition for all.  The result?  Ryan stole the candy AND lunch money from all the children in the Cat 4 35+ race - finishing far enough up to place 14th in the open 4s race that started over a minute  ahead of him. 

Greg carried the water in the Cat 3 race and finished a respectable 6th place against a tough field with over 100 Audi riders.  The winner?  Anthony Dickson, another unfortunate victim of the USAC "system" which is tearing the fabric of the hippy/organic vibe right out of the burgeoning CX scene.  Let Anthony ride in the 1/2's where he belongs!!