Originally Posted by
jcpups608
Yeah, those are two courses I had hoped would be back for 2011. Especially the proposed olympic course. My guess is that the surrounding community just wasn't willing to put up with another bike race given collegiate road nats and the three non-usac events held there.
Grafton is a great race, great atmosphere.
I see what you're saying though, a TT in Ripon probably won't have the same pull as the novelty of racing the famous RA.
I am excited about the capitol crit, more for the fact that I can pretty much walk out my front door and be at the race, than the course itself(not a fan).
Apparently Road America is not back on the schedule due to a conflict with a motorcycle race there.
I'm cool with a TT in the mix, but Ripon is quite far away and it would have been a lot better if say the day before (which is currently Schlitz Park) was a road race in Ripon to fill Road America's RR gap. Schlitz Park is a terrible venue. There's absolutely nothing on the the course as far as shops, restaurants, etc. Yea it's got a big ass, lung searing hill, but it's really more about the atmosphere.
The Thiensville race is also having a course change for this year. I'm not totally happy with the course, as it's starting to venture outside of the downtown area a bit, with only a small stretch touching, but we couldn't secure last year's course with the Village Officials. the course is going to be 5 corners, one being a little left right chicane into a slight uphill. It's going to be tight and awesome as it's going to allow for animated racing with breaks.
It may just need some time to grow yet. They are still in their early stages of developing the series and some venues are bound to come and go in the next couple years. Which I think is what is needed to find the unique races that everyone will want to do.
And you should do Grafton, MJH. It's sweet.