Cyclocross season is here and in full force. The first six WCA races have gone smoothly for Team Wisconsin who produced results across all categories. Dave Eckel, Mike Hulen, and Brien Christopherson have made their mark in the Master’s category, with Doug Bailey, Chris Newlin, and John Reynder’s holding their own in the 3’s.

Over the past wet and muddy weekend at Kletzsch Park and Camrock Tim Racette put together two first place finishes in the 4’s entitling him to an upgrade to CAT 3. Chris Newlin pumped out a 3^rd place finish on a treacherous Carmrock course in the CAT 3’s. And Mark Norton, battling in a talent filled Pro 1/2 field, put up highly respectable finishes of 9th place finish at Badger Prairie and 6^th place at Kletzsch Park.

Jeff with his wife Kelly – Aug 2010

This past Tues, the Midwest cycling community lost one of it’s most recognizable riders and wonderful people in Jeff Littman.  Tragically he was hit by a car while out doing the sport he loved the most and died from the injury’s he suffered.

With many ties to health and fitness, Jeff became involved with cycling quite a number of years ago when Vic Tanny was a cycling team sponsor. Many of the senior guys from Vic Tanny still racing in Wisconsin today recall the days back in the early 90’s when Jeff was slowly making the transition from Mr Wisconsin (fitness and strength title) to Jeff the bike racer. Back in 1994 Jeff started a new business called Wisconsin Health and Fitness Centers. It was then, the cycling club “Team Wisconsin” was officially born. The guys on the original team were some of the fastest masters riders from Wisconsin and quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the region.

Jeff was a major sponsor and member of the Team from 1994 through the 2006 season. During this time the roster had several changes and after joining the team in late 2002, I was appointed to Team President in late 2004. I didn’t realize Jeff’s passion for skin suits back at the time but when we worked together on the clothing orders I was always entertained by the fact he never ordered any items “but skin suits” and shoe covers. It was all about style and he always made it happen no matter what the weather or conditions were. Rumor has it his skin suit collection consists of well over 100 different types from teams all over the world.

Since 1994, the “Red Team” as it was so commonly called, has grown and evolved with a focus on rider development, supporting charity rides, and the Wisconsin Cycling Association by way of running two premier events in the annual Whitnal Park Spring Classic and the Wis State Time Trial. With pride, we have and will continue to share the legacy that the Red Team has enjoyed all these years.

Thank you Jeff for sharing your smile, your leadership, and your love of cycling with all of us on this team and in the sport.

We all miss you dearly!

Dave Eckel

*Please view the WCA site for details on Jeff’s Memorial service: http://www.wicycling.org