Stage 8 of Tour of America’s Dairyland saw the MetLife team switch back into road
racing mode around the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Greenbush, WI. The 10 mile
course was littered with tight turns, steep ups and downs, country roads and a healthy
wind out of the west. The first lap of the race was a scorcher as early breaks tried in
vain to get away from a fast field. A half-dozen riders did finally get away in the 2nd lap
but did not get more than 30 seconds on the peloton. Unfortunately, the team suffered a
few untimely flat tire due to the harsh road conditions, but managed to leave 4 riders
in the main field following the first 3 laps. Sensing the field was not content with the
break, Nick, Ryan, Corey and Austin stayed at the sharp end of the race to follow any
of the big moves trying to go across. The high tempo ended up bringing the break back
on the 4th lap just as the field entered the cross-wind section of the course. Attacks and
splits ensued and 3 miles later a dozen or so riders including MetLife’s Austin Roach saw
themselves off the front with a healthy gap while Kenda controlled the front to prevent
anyone else from bridging across. The last 3 laps of the race boiled the break down to a
group of 7 as attacks were relentless. Austin held strong in the front group and finished a
very respectable 6th place in one of the hardest races of the series.