12 replies to this topic

[Sherkat]

Rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated! You can't kill Superweek. It's three weeks long! Friday July 6 until Sunday July 22. Race every day.

Stay tuned, because Team Mack Racing is Sponsoring the Master's Omnium at Superweek. Uncle Gary says there will be Jerseys, and Money, and Ponies!

[tarmac72]

ah yes, Superweek.
Fond fond memories of the late 80's early 90's lining up with Polish,Colombian, and other riders from countries that don't exist any more all jacked up on amphetamines and whatever other cocktail of go fast nectar they were injecting to try to keep or get a ride on some obscure second or third tier team.
100k crits night after night.


pass

[DanSchmatz]

Superweek is awesome. Sure the races rarely start on time, it may take a year to get all your prize money but the chance to race day after day is the best possible way to increase ones skill level and experience. Instead of waiting a week to think about what you did wrong and have another shot you get to sleep on it and give it ago the next day.

[Sherkat]

Sure, the race has had its highs and lows, but, for Masters racers in particular, Superweek is a great opportunity to toe the line with the best guys from around the US. Team Mack has feet on the ground up there with John Fleckenstein and Mark McGeen helping out to coordinate the Master's series, and Gary's been working hard on this for months. I'll have more scheduling details soon!

[Sherkat]

Oh boy! this is getting good! Latest update from Gary:

ALL, SUPERWEEK is alive and kicking! If you plan to compete at the Superweek International Cycling Classic please make sure you pre register at the link below. Team MACK is sponsoring the 16-day Masters series (separate races for category 1-2-3 & 4-5) this year which will have daily WINNERS and OVERALL jersey's for 35+, 40+ and 50+ Masters in all categories. Note: Masters 1-2-3 35+, 40+ & 50+ all race together but will be scored separately by age with daily and overall jersey's and podiums. Masters 4/5 35+, 40+ & 50+ will also race together and will be scored separately by age with daily and overall jersey's and podiums.

[robertm]

tarmac72, on 20 June 2012 - 06:34 AM, said:

ah yes, Superweek.
Fond fond memories of the late 80's early 90's lining up with Polish,Colombian, and other riders from countries that don't exist any more all jacked up on amphetamines and whatever other cocktail of go fast nectar they were injecting to try to keep or get a ride on some obscure second or third tier team.
100k crits night after night.


pass

man, xenophobic much?

[tarmac72]

robertm, on 20 June 2012 - 07:14 PM, said:

tarmac72, on 20 June 2012 - 06:34 AM, said:

ah yes, Superweek.
Fond fond memories of the late 80's early 90's lining up with Polish,Colombian, and other riders from countries that don't exist any more all jacked up on amphetamines and whatever other cocktail of go fast nectar they were injecting to try to keep or get a ride on some obscure second or third tier team.
100k crits night after night.


pass

man, xenophobic much?

Hardly.
just trying to paint a picture of how flavorful Superweek is
back in the day it was a dumping ground for foreign teams to send riders as punishment or trial as i said to either stay on the team or make a team
its hard lining up night after night completely spent knowing the guy(s) next to you are jacked up on speed that they are basically scratching the flesh from their legs with mini anxiety attacks.
one cool aspect though- got to race with a former TdF green jersey winner Jean Paul van Poppel

[Sherkat]

I think most of the Masters guys are on ibuprofen and Metamucil. I have a great picture of John Fleckenstein winning a stage a few years ago and his bib straps are sicking out of his jersey from a late porta-potty run....

[2 π R]

No, Super Week is not dead but it does stink of rot a bit. Word is from within the inner circles is that USA Cycling has finally refused to issue permits and many seasoned and experienced officials refuse to work those events. The promoters have gone to ABR for their sanction. I applaud that Team Mack is supporting an aspect of these events but all I hear from most who have drank that Kool Aid that it is a real s**t show.

It is too bad that great racing as this once was when Otto owned and ran it that it has become so. That's just what happens when the promoters put the greater emphasis on making a buck rather than holding a race. I do think that everyone should experience it at least once in their life.

Good luck to those who go.

@swikles

[FattyM]

Yup it's ABR and yup, it's dead.  Tour of America's Dairyland is the new superweek.

I guess not paying the police or officials, bounced payout checks, overpriced entry fees, and suing your race organizers will do that.

Surprise surprise, more mealy-mouthed last minute course substitutions:

Quote

After five great years producing The Evanston Grand Prix we must cancell the race due to a short fall in sponsorship. We hope to bring this time honored event back in 2013. " We currently have a prospective title sponsor that has indicated a strong interest in being the lead sponsor for the 2013 race ", said Michael Garrison, Marketing Director. We want to thank the City of Evanston, Doug Gaynor, the Special Events Commitee, and Downtown Alderman Don Wilson for all of the time and efforts in trying continue this event for 2012.

http://www.internati...in-take-its-pla

Edited by FattyM, 27 June 2012 - 01:31 PM.

[2 π R]

I was able to see the pro men in Milwaukee and worked the road race in Fond du Lac today and all I can say is that these races are among the best I have attended in all of my years of racing AND working support. Even the women in todays race only rode along slow for about four of the miles on the first lap. This is some great racing here, the only major thing different is that the races are not as long as those of Super Week of long ago.

@swikles

[FattyM]

RE: Stupidweek, learned today that 1) "no permits have been approved for any race [in Wisconsin], and 2) of the two Chicago races, one is outright cancelled (Evanston - this is the one where they sued the local business promotor, gee, I wonder why that city is hostile to you now?), and the other they don't even have a course/location.  The original one they picked was the same location and time as a street festival.  Idiots.

It's supposed to kick off next week.  BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Sherkat]

Ugh....I may be getting a call from Uncle Gary soon.....

In the meantime, come out and support Team Peoria and the Morton Criterium! Team Mack is also a sponsor, and this is a nice, fun, fast 4-corner crit!

http://www.peoriabic...com/?page_id=10