The Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference season came to a close this past weekend with the regional final at Ohio Dominican University. Case Cycling sent senior David Takahashi and first-year student Evan Guarr to compete in the final collegiate race of the season before cyclocross nationals in January.
With temperatures hovering around 20 degrees and most of the course covered in ice or nearly 3 inches of snow for the category 4/5 race, Guarr started at the back of the field but overtook six riders, ultimately placing 16th in the combined field. Takahashi and Case Cycling alumnus Alex Kloss missed the start of the race by two minutes but managed to make up for lost time, finishing 18th and 12th respectively.
Guarr and Takahashi raced later in the day in the men’s category B cyclocross final with riders from Marian University and the University of Cincinnati. At the conclusion of the 40-minute race, Takahashi and Guarr placed fourth and fifth, respectively, despite suffering from mechanical issues due to the mud, snow and lack of spare equipment. The two averaged a mere 6.5 mph for the duration of the event.
All three riders continued to Lexington, Ky., for the penultimate race in the Ohio Valley Cyclocross series. Kloss and Takahashi raced in a competitive category 4/5 field with riders throughout the region. Having suffered an ice storm the night before, the course was covered with mud and ice and featured several off-camber descents and technical climbs. Kloss made up several places during the final lap and placed eighth overall in a field of 14. Takahashi had a close race, ultimately overtaking another rider during the final moments to secure second place.
Case Cycling returned home this week to host “Eat Good. Do Good” with local restaurant Chutney Rolls during the first week of finals. Chutney Rolls will donate 10 percent of all proceeds and all tips to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, with free delivery provided by members of the Case Cycling team.