Joe McWilliams (Cat. I-II), Jason Kingsbury (Cat. III), Matt Farnham (Junior 13-15) and Theresa Blume (Women I-II-III) were the 2004 state champions in their respective divisions. Kingsbury finished third in the 72-mile race last year, but was the highest-placed Nebraska finisher in his category. McWilliams won the field sprint to earn his state title.

Racing begins near Raymond, Neb., at 9 a.m. with the 72-mile Cat. I-II division, followed by the 60-mile Cat. III race, which goes off at 9:03 a.m. Masters 35+ and Cat. IV racers will race 49 miles, while the Women's Open, Masters 45+, Masters 55+, Juniors and Cat. V divisions race 38 miles.

Saturday’s event doubles as the 2005 Midwest Maxxis Cup finale. It is also the penultimate event in the Nebraska USCF "Rider of the Year" (ROY) competition.

Four Team Kaos riders lead their respective categories in the Rider of the Year competition. Jordan Brasch is five points ahead of Lincoln Plating-LeMond’s Craig Schmidt in the Masters 35+ standings. Morgan Chaffin leads the Women’s I-II-III standings by 150 points over teammate Marie Neville. Gary Schmidt is 95 points ahead of Steve Meyer in the Masters 55+ standings. And Matt Farnham is tied with Ted Johnson in the Juniors 16-18 category.

ROY Points are awarded at six events: Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic, Aksarben TT Series #1, Dave Babcook Memorial Stage Race, Capital City Criterium, Cornhusker State Games Stage Race, Nebraska State Championship Time Trial, Saturday’s Nebraska State Championship Road Race and the Elmwood-Murdock Road Race on Sept. 24.

Several other Team Kaos riders are also in contention for a ROY title. In the Cat. I-II division, Chris Spence, Jarred Berger, Tim Farnham and Ian Robertson hold down places third through sixth, respectively.

Placing within the ROY competition is based on the highest to lowest point totals. Points from all ROY events will be included in a riders point total. If a rider does not compete in an event they are awarded zero points for that event. Points may not be transferred laterally (i.e. from Masters to Cat. 3) and a rider who is upgrading will have 50 percent of their points transferred to the higher category.

Points are awarded on a descending scale, with 100 going to the winner, 95 for second place, 90 for third, 85 for fourth, etc. Racing continues Sunday in Lincoln with the Sandhills Publishing Criterium at Southwest High School.

Cat. III
1. Michael Munson, Cycling Club of Nebraska, 538.
2. Michael Campie, Revolution Cycling, 513.
3. Kelly Soden, Lincoln Plating/Lemond, 407.
4. Scott Stevens, Cycling Club of Nebraska, 299.
5. Chad Headlee, Team Kaos, 296.

Masters 35+
1. Jordan Brasch, Team Kaos, 280.
2. Craig Schmidt, Lincoln Plating-LeMond, 275.
3. Eric Buhs, Revolution Cycling, 255.
4. Steve Muhle, Team Kaos, 200.
5. Darin Schlake, Cycling Club of Nebraska, 195.
6. Mark Brackenbury, Team Kaos, 195.

Masters 45+
1. Ron Nelson, unattached, 460.
2. Fred Galata, Cycling Club of Nebraska, 385.
3. Ray Breedlove, Husker Road Club, 370.
4. John Dean, Cycling Club of Nebraska, 313.
5. Douglas Semisch, Team Kaos, 309.

Masters 55+
1. Gary Schmidt, Team Kaos, 385.
2. Steve Meyer, unattached, 290.
3. Robert Sack, Mid America Bicycle Club, 200.

Juniors 16-18
1. (tie) Matt Farnham, Team Kaos, 100.
1. (tie) Ted Johnson, unattached, 100.

Women I-II-III
1. Morgan Chaffin, Team Kaos, 350.
2. Marie Neville, Team Kaos, 200.

Women IV
1. Cheryl Gerkins, Ciao Baby Racing Club, 475.
2. Theresa Blume, Team Kaos, 185.
3. Emily Farnham, Team Kaos, 100.