MTB News and Notes

Written by: Fred Dreier

In its eighth year, British Columbia’s TransRockies Challenge will debut a three-day solo mountain bike race that will run concurrently with the first three days of the seven-day duo race. Called the TR3, the three-day event includes 150-200 kilometers of racing, and stretches from the TransRockies’ starting line at Panorama Mountain Village to the town of Nipika.

“Every year, we are asked about solo riders and shorter versions of the race, and this year we felt like we had a great opportunity to bring something new to the event,” said Event Director Aaron McConnell. “The TR3 should add a highly competitive solo component to our event without compromising the spirit of teamwork and co-operation which is fundamental to the TransRockies experience.”

The TR3 will feature three categories — Open Men, Open Women and Masters 40+ men. Registration for the three-day race costs $499 CAD (about $396). For more information, visit www.transrockies.com.

Fawley, Rusch Win Ultra Endurance Opener

Brian Fawley and Rebecca Rusch took home top honors at the Mas O Menos 100 kilometer cross-country race, held February 14 in Terlinga, Texas. The race was the opening event of the 2009 USA Cycling Ultra Endurance cross-country mountain bike calendar, as well as a stop on the Texas State Mountain Bike Championships series.

Mas O Menos 100K
Men
1. Brian Fawley, Park Place Lexus, 100 kilometers in 4:08:50
2. John Cody, Solar Eclipse, 4:14:41
3. Sean Sindt, Austin Flyers, 4:17:40
4. Rick Wetherald, Solar Eclipse, 4:17:50
5. Dave Hanes, Ride Away Bicycles, 4:19:39

Women
1. Rebecca Rusch, Specialized-Red Bull, 4:45:25
2. Alice Pennington, S&M/Desalvo, 5:07:26
3. Claire McKenna, Team Hammerhead, 5:15:21
4. Melanie Etherton, 5:16:59
5. Danielle Musto, Kenda-Tomac-Hayes, 5:18:51

1600 Flock to Old Pueblo

Tucson, Arizona’s 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 14-15 with a crowd of 1654 racers. The four-man Adrenaline Race team of brothers Sam and Andy Schultz, Jeff Herrera and Chris Suter defeated the Kona squad of Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks, Kris Sneddon and Matthew Slaven to take the overall team prize. Adrenaline and Kona both completed 22 laps, with the Adrenaline squad 33 minutes ahead of their Kona rivals.

Evan Plews took home top honors in the solo men’s category, completing 18 laps. Plews outlasted Ian Leitch by half an hour, and completed one more lap than former winner Tinker Juarez.

Sarah Kaufmann won the women’s solo prize, finishing 15 laps, two laps up on second-place Terri Wahlberg.

Sandcreek Series Releases 2009 Schedule

Colorado’s Carmichael Training System’s Sand Creek mountain bike series will hold seven cross-country mountain bike races in and around Colorado Springs in 2009. The series is based out of Bear Creek Park and is sponsored by the Colorado Springs-based Carmichael Training Systems (www.trainright.com).

The highlight of the series’ calendar is the June 13 Sand Creek International at Cheyenne Mountain state park. That event boasts a UCI C3 rating and is one of the seven events on USA Cycling’s new ProXCT series. It is also the final event of the Kenda Cup West, which is part of the new Sho Air U.S. Cup of cross-country racing.

For more information, visit www.sandcreeksports.com.

2009 Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek Series
May 10, Bear Creek Park
June 3, Bear Creek Park
June 13, Cheyenne Mountain State Park
June 24, Bear Creek Park
July 1, Bear Creek Park
July 8, Bear Creek Park
August 1, United States Air Force Academy

Riffle Launches new World Cup DH team

Two-time national downhill champion Duncan Riffle will headline his own professional downhill racing team in 2009. Called Duncan Riffle Racing, the team includes Riffle, Brad Benedict and development rider Andy Benedict.

Riffle, who hails from Santa Barbara, California, formerly rode with the Yeti and Honda-Ironhorse teams. In recent years he has hit the UCI World Cup series under his own privateer sponsorship. Duncan Riffle Racing LLC is sponsored in part by the social shopping website Giantnerd.com, Bravo condoms, Royal racing apparel and Sixsixone protective gear.

Brad Benedict, who hails from Auburn, California, won the 2008 National Mountain Bike Series downhill title. This year will mark his first full campaign on the World Cup circuit. Andy Benedict, who hails from Santa Barbara, is coached by Riffle and will target the domestic racing scene in 2009.

FILED UNDER: News TAGS: TR3 / TransRockies Challenge