June 25th: ISCorp Downer Classic

The second to last day of the 2011 Tour of America's Dairyland presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board was billed as part one of a "Prime -a-pa-moooooo-za Cash Cow" Weekend", and racers were treated to nothing less at the ISCorp Downer Classic.

For a dozen or so laps, there were five in the core.Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom), Julie Jerue (Nova ISCorp), Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder teammates Ashley James and Kelly Hess, and Michelle Melka (Red Racing). Soon after, the breakaway and field were reset with a rapid progression of primes from title sponsor of the historic Downer race, ISCorp. It became a dash for cash with the initial $300 thrown out, and when that was immediately followed up with $500 for the break, Becker Law Pink Overall Leader Van Gilder just went for it, and never looked back.

As the break was falling apart with two to go, Van Gilder stayed solo off the front, forming a nine second gap while Mary Ellen Ash (Metromint) came out of nowhere to claim a $700 field prime. With one remaining, there were four chasers but Van Gilder just ran away with it for the win and stay in pink. Jerue and James rounded out the podium, with Melka and Hess in at 4 and 5, respectively. Holly Mathews (Nova ISCorp) took the furious field sprint for a sixth place finish.

While Mellow Mushroom is dominating the Becker Law Pink and 5-hour Energy Team Competition Overalls, the uncertainly of who will ultimately land in the Oarsman Capital Cat 2 Amateur green jersey continues between Hess and Starla Teddergreen (Vanderkitten-Focus). This contest will come right down to the wire on Sunday in Madison, as Hess gains control of the green and white cow print on Downer, with fewer than five points separating the two.

The Pro Men shot out of the gate, and never really cooled their jets around the 0.9 mile Downer course. James Bird (Nova ISCorp) and Sam Witmitz (Garneau) made a move early on but it didn't take long for Chad Hartley (Kenda 5-hour Energy pb Geargrinder) and Serghei Tvetcov to get fidgety. The gap shrinking and field charging, they all came back together in no time but there was an uneasiness in the air, as riders knew there'd be major primes offered but weren't sure to what extent.

At 25 remaining, Brett Tivers (Garneau) jumped to the front as the field just started percolating, with the Kenda/5-hour Energy train building. Before long, Kenda/5-hour Energy established a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 formation, all the while Aerocat lurking. Then chaos ensued with 13 to go as the $6,000 Ben's Cycle Ultra Prime was announced. A lap and a quarter later, Isaac Howe (Kenda-5-hour Energy) crossed the prime line on the backside of the course to pack his pockets full of green.

The Ben's Cycle Ultra Prime shattered the field, leaving many riders struggling to even hang on. Most would have liked to have called it a day at that point but Mike Weber of ISCorp walked on stage, with part angel and part devil on either shoulder, announcing there'd be more prime money.but the trek in getting to it would be nothing short of brutal. As Tivers picked up a $400 ISCorp prime, another one was immediately launched at the riders. Ka-ching, Tivers for two.grabbing another $700. Another ISCorp was tossed out, this one for $1,000, and it was all Tivers for a third time, tapping energy reserves and strength unknown to man. A $1,400 ISCorp Field Prime was then broadcast, with Colton Barrett (Kelly Benefits Strategies] answering the call.

Tivers miraculously hung on for the win, making it look effortless, as Josh Carter (Aerocat) put up an impressive effort to win the field sprint and second on the podium. Cole House (realcyclist.com) rounded out the day's top three. Tvetcov remains in Overall yellow with Aerocat still standing atop the 5-hour Energy Team Competition. But with just one day of racing to go, Kenda 5-hour Energy p/b Geargrinder is still in contention.

Bird stays in Green but the door has yet to close completely on Dallas Fowler (Kuhl).

The 11-day 2011 Tour of America's Dairyland culminates around the State Capitol Square for the Madison Capital Criterium presented by Trek Bicycle and American Family Insurance on Sunday.

View previous race reports in the archive.