Juniors MN State Road Race Recap

I followed the juniors State RR on my bike instead of in the car. More miles for me, plus less hinderance to traffic. There were about 7 older juniors, and 6 younger juniors. They started at the same time, but they were not supposed to work together, since the youngers do 1 lap, and the olders do 2. I was sceptical about how that was going to work, but I was right behind them to try and make sure they didn't work together.

The older juniors pulled away after the start, but only a little. By the time they got to the right onto Tower, Kody McCracken wanted to start racing, and jumped around the older juniors. Sam Anderson followed, then Jordan, then Aaron Shaw. Jake Mittelstaedt and Tristan Manderfeld did not make the split. Shortly after, Colton Barrett attacked the older juniors on the downhill, and eventually, all the juniors, minus Jake and Tristan were together.

They started the first climb together. Older juniors Colton, Tony Olson, and Alex Meyer got a gap over the top. Younger junior Sam was poised to get away, but dropped his chain. The other 3 youngers went around Sam as he stopped to put his chain back on. Sam had no trouble rejoining them on the downhill.

At this point there are 3 separate groups up front. 3 olders, then 4 youngers, then 3 olders. Kody was on the front most of the time, pulling the other 3 younger juniors along. After Albany, Sam attacked on a rise, and Kody was tired from being on the front, and Aaron and Jordan couldn't chase either. Sam caught and passed the 3 older juniors. Kody pulled Aaron and Jordan up to the 3 older juniors but didn't go around them. This was not good, since now the 3 younger juniors could get help catching Sam from the older juniors. I asked the 3 olders to let the other 3 do the chasing, and they kindly obliged, and let them through.

I asked Aaron and Jordan to help Kody chase Sam, and they started a rotation. It was great to see them work together, but it was pretty clear to me that Sam was gone for good. As they turned onto the finish leg, I could see they were going to end up catching the Women's Cat 4 field which had started 5 minutes in front of them. I told the juniors to just keep riding, and pass them on the left if they catch them. This whole time, Kody remained on the front. I rode up to the women to give them some advance warning that the juniors were coming through for their finish and they kindly let them by.

Coming into the finish, Jordan knew to key of Aaron. Aaron jumped first, and Jordan got on his wheel. Kody, clearly tired from all the time spent on the front, was unable to join them. Aaron was able to pull away from Jordan and that is how they finished.

1. Sam Anderson (age 14)
2. Aaron Shaw (age 14)
3. Jordan Cullen (age 12)
4. Kody McCracken (age 13)
5. Jake Mittelstaedt (age 13)
6. Tristan Manderfeld (age 12)

Juniors 10-12 Podium Photo:
1. Jordan Cullen (right)
2. Tristan Manderfeld (left)


Juniors 13-14 Podium Photo:
1. Sam Anderson (middle)
2. Aaron Shaw (left)
3. Kody McCracken (right)