Double Double

• Team TATI survived the first of two double race weekends of the season, netting a pair of wins and some big improvements all around.

  Saturday's race in Wauconda required an extra early start, as we didn't want to miss early Masters races. With Sasha, Liz, a case of vuvuzelas and a king's ransom in orange soda packed tightly into the car, we set off near dawn. In order to motivated the young charges, I played an endless loop of Die Antwoord, which kept them awake, alert, and perhaps a little dazed after ninety minutes.

  At some point, we found ourselves trailing a very tasty looking truck. It was wrapped in what appeared to be English muffins for giants, and in what would prove to be a positive omen, bore a crest with an image of a fellow blowing a vuvuzela.

  

  The course was situated on what appeared to be farmland recently converted to a mini golf course. Either that, or a park built on top of a pile of mulch. Verdigris (one of the sponsors) had built a highly impressive flyover element, complete with tiny flags and hidden cupboards.

  

  The day started well for the team, with Patrick racing back to back in the 40s and 30s events, with ridiculous finishes of 9th and 11th, respectively. Dan showed up, and had to top Patrick (if not in placings, then in race starts) by tripling and showing off his new ENVE fork.

  

  Papa John took the morning off from baby duty in order to post his first win of the season, a decisive victory over a celebrity blogger and a junior.

  

  John's win was followed by Liz's second consecutive win, this time on a full on scraper wheel. And ridiculous sunglasses, provided by Sasha.

  

  Sunday's race was in Carpentersville. The highlight of the day had to be junior Hanna's sick inside dismount on the off camber tree section. I have no idea who taught her this move, but it elicited big applause.

  

  Andy's day began with an endo, but finished with his first top 20 ever!

  

  In fact, the weekend was especially good for our newer riders, five of whom hit to the top 20 for the first time. Now the march begins: top 10!