After the longest, coldest spring in recent memory, Mother Nature rewarded riders with one of the most gorgeous editions of MSB to date. And it wasn’t just the temperatures that heated up; a glance at the Mud, Sweat, and Beers results shows that racers showed up ready to rock and roll.
More importantly, the race served as a spandex-centric family reunion after almost two years of Covid awkwardness. For many on Saturday, the sunshine, the gathering of friends old and new, and the beers around the fire post-race were the first time things felt “normal” since March 2020.
Yet another example of bikes bringing the community together. We dig it.
Elite Men Results
The talk all week long was about the younglings Kyan Olshove, Garrett Jenema, and Max Meyer. Could one of these whippersnappers finally loosen Jorden Wakeley’s grip on MSB?
The answer was yes, but only by the narrowest of margins. Wakeley arrived back at Mt. Holiday just 2 seconds behind the eventual winner, Kyan Olshove, with Jenema hot on the winner’s wheel.
This trio proved themselves to be a cut above the rest of the field, with fourth place David Brower, leading in a very solid group four minutes back. Another young gun, Drew Cummins, rounded out the top ten.
Without a doubt, this Elite field was one of the deepest in recent memory. The high level certainly pushed everyone and made for some incredible racing.
Elite Women’s Results
Kaitlyn and Alex Vanias made the long journey from Wisconsin and decided to toe the line this week. It being Kaitlyn, she duly took home the W in convincing style. Even after an extended break from mountain bike racing, Kaitlyn proved that class always lasts, winning by just over a minute to an always-battling Heather Compton.
Emma Schwab fought hard to take a well-deserved third place on the day. She came home ahead of TC racing (and a very friendly neighbor of kolo tc!) Lauri Brockmiller. Bethany Aebli pushed Brockmiller all the way to the line to take home fifth, just a handful of seconds behind the wily veteran.
It was a truly wide-open women’s field, and one of the most competitive races of the day, with the women shuffling between the placing the entire race.
The Kolo Crew
Josh Concannon continued his excellent run of form on the gravel racing scene this spring to take home a very impressive 3rd place in the Stout 30-39 age group. Josh was just a second off second place, finishing on the wheel of Hagerty’s Austin Johnson. Those two look set to battle frequently in upcoming races on the gravel roads and in the woods.
Wes Sovis took home 8th in the 30-39 category. He then went home and started working his second job. Glorious.
In the 40-49 age group, kolo’s dream team of airline pilots put their dining trays in the upright position (not a euphemism) and landed back at Mt. Holiday in style. Ryan Reiter was 5th, with Jaden Drews overcoming the plague to finish in a very strong 11th in a deeply stacked age group.
Kolo debutant Carter Debruyn made a splash, taking home the win in his age group in the Sport class. It was a heck of a ride from the Norte cycling product, finishing right up there with some very quick and talented riders.
Cody Sovis represented kolo in the Elite field. Over the last few years, he went and had himself a kid and helped run Iceman. This meant that he’s been short of races over the last 24 months, but he wasn’t going to miss MSB. His 5 am Zwift regime paid off, coming home in 15th amongst a gaggle of other very strong dads in spandex, Allen McLain, Rob Martin, and Tyler Weston. Good job, dads.
Robbie Koets came home in 8th in the Pale Ale category and looked POSITIVELY STUNNING while doing it. Great job, Robbie!
Last but coolest of all, big props to Sarah Drews. She was a Mom MVP on Mother’s Day weekend, riding the Pale Ale course with her daughter, Cora. Thanks for helping to raise the next generation of badass bike women, Sarah!
Be sure to check out the full Mud, Sweat, and Beers 2022 results from Newton Timing right here. A huge thank you to Jim and Becky, Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association, and the entire volunteer crew who puts on this event each year to benefit Mt. Holiday. The Michigan mountain bike scene simply wouldn’t be the same without this one on the calendar.
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