International field battles smoke and hills in Wood County cycling race

ARPIN – The haze from Canadian wildfires couldn’t dim the intensity Aug. 3 as 50 cyclists from four countries lined up at the base of Powers Bluff County Park near Arpin for the sixth annual Bluff to Bluff 50 Mile Road Bicycle Race.
When the race ended after 50 miles of tactical racing through Wood County’s rolling farmland, Jahkim Carty of St. Martin French West Indies, had out-sprinted defending champion Aitor Azkarraga of Spain in the final meters atop Powers Bluff.
The race attracted riders ranging in age from 10 to 80, with participants from Spain, France, England, St. Martin and the United States. The battle between Carty, representing Nice Metropole, and Azkarraga of Stevens Point Cycling Club provided the day’s drama.
The race started at a pace between 24-30 mph through the early farm country. At the base of Cary Bluff, the field split into a lead group of 13 riders with two chase groups forming behind.
Despite coordinated attacks from Azkarraga’s Stevens Point teammates, both he and Carty arrived at the base of Powers Bluff without teammates for the 1.4-mile climb to the finish.

Carty’s winning time of 2:01:15 averaged 24.2 mph, finishing two seconds ahead of Azkarraga. Sam Janssen of Stevens Point Cycling Club placed third in 2:01:58.
In the women’s race, Sofia Tylinski of Marathon and UW Cycling won in 2:07:51 with an average speed of 23.1 mph. She defeated Marie Streich of Montello by 48 seconds, with Megan Zelienka of Coloma placing third in 2:16:27.
Tylinski also won both the Queen of the Mountain and sprint competitions. Carty captured the men’s King of the Mountain and sprint competitions.
Stevens Point Cycling Club won the team competition for the sixth consecutive year, narrowly defeating Team Stoic.
Race organizers presented special awards following the competition. Sam Janssen received the Sportsmanship Award for his team support work. Varick Olson received the Legacy Award for his contributions to sports communities. Olson was also the oldest competitor in the race.
In the 25-mile “One Bluff’s Enough Race,” Easton Wheling of Mondovi won the men’s division in 1:12:18. Bobo Lake of St. Martin placed second, with Adam Wheling of Mondovi third. Colette Azkarraga of Stevens Point won the women’s division in 1:12:38.
Race directors Sharon and Ralph Bredl organized the event.

Complete results

Men’s 50-mile:
• Jahkim Carty, St. Martin (Nice Metropole), 2:01:15

• Aitor Azkarraga, Spain/Stevens Point (SPCC), 2:01:17
• Sam Janssen (SPCC), 2:01:58
Women’s 50-mile:
• Sofia Tylinski, Marathon (UW Cycling), 2:07:51
• Marie Streich, Montello (SPCC), 2:08:39
• Megan Zelienka, Coloma (SPCC), 2:16:27
Men’s 25-mile:
• Easton Wheling, Mondovi, 1:12:18
• Bobo Lake, St. Martin
• Adam Wheling, Mondovi
Women’s 25-mile:
• Colette Azkarraga, Stevens Point (SPCC), 1:12:38