Mother Nature delivered perfect weather for the third straight year and the course was in great shape. The course is designed in the clover leaf shape familiar to World Cup racing. Today's race consisted of a start loop, plus five full laps.

I had a great start and led immediately. Once clear of the start, I settled in a few spots back. The pace on the first two laps seemed quite slow (always a good sign), and it was then that I made my first test of the day's front runners. A lead group of myself, Chris Sheppard (Catera), Tinker Juarez (Volvo), and Travis Brown (Trek) was quickly whittled to two, as only Sheppard could respond to my acceleration. We rode together less than half a lap before my legs told me to go again. As the race exploded behind me, I knew victory would not come that easily. When I heard the announcer declare with two laps to go that my 97' nemesis Kirk Molday was only thirty seconds back, the race really began and it became a drag race to the line. I went all out with two to go. Knowing that if I lead into the final lap I would not be beat. Unfortunately I derailed my chain heading into the course's extreme decent and was forced to stop, then walk part of the downhill. So my gains were negated and we began the final lap separated by less than thirty seconds. But today was the day for L.L. Bean/Mongoose to rise to the top of the podium. My lead doubled on the final lap and I won for the third straight time on this course. I was rewarded by taking the lead in the overall standings. My lead is solid, but we still have many tough, unpredictable races to go.

It really was great to finally win an NCS race for my new team and all of my amazingly supportive sponsors. I am sure many of you worried as I muddled through my spring campaign. I appreciate you all sticking by me, and hopefully this is just the beginning.

STXC : " The Twin Cities Double"
This was the type of course that the new series designer's had in mind when they devised this great new spectator event. A half mile course, with about a 300 meter climb and a fast grassy decent that circumnavigated the expo area made for a great spectating and racing experience. Although still excited by my victory yesterday, I had absolutely no idea what to expect today. In fact, I was fairly sore as yesterday was certainly my most intense effort of the year.

The early pace was set by Chris Sheppard (Catera) and Travis Brown (TREK). Travis pulled hard up the hill for two laps. I was near front, then decided to push the pace myself. We were only about six minutes into this extremely intense, thirty minute effort when I broke away as a result of that first acceleration.

After two laps alone in front, Andreas Hestler (POLO) bridged across and we did our best to work together on the tight, twisting circuit. The chase was intense behind and was led by Roland Green of GT, who also tried to close the gap alone. At this point I committed to an all out effort to win from the front. I left Hestler and spent the next ten laps attacking the course with abandon. The crowd was inspiring and kept me focused throughout this thirty minute event that rarely saw my heart rate dip below 190bpm. That pain was numbed by the fact that I went on to win my second NCS event in two days! The sprint for second was close with Sheppard edging out Green in a photo finish.

Today's victory put me in the leader's jersey of both National Championship Series events. It was a great weekend of racing, and I am very excited to finally have such positive news to report. Next up is Seven Springs, PA on June 12-13th. I'll keep you posted.

— Best Regards, Seve Larsen