The sun shone brightly in Breckenridge this morning. After yesterday's rain-soaked prologue riders were overjoyed to see the early morning sunshine. The race started at 9AM sharp with roughly 140 riders taking the start. The Breck-Epic riders enoyed short neutral start through town before attacking the trails.
A front group quickly emerged on the opening 6 miles of climbing. Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com), Travis Brown (Trek), Ben Thompson (Cannondale), and Brandon Dwight broke clear of the others. As they passed the first aid station, 10 miles into the race, the leaders were charging like it was a cross country race. Once the leaders crested the climb up Tiger road they entered a 17-miles of pristine singletrack on the world-renouned Colorado Trail.
The four leaders bombed through the wooded and rocky section of trail until Bishop flatted. He recovered quickly but had dropped back to fourth place and by the time the Brown reached the final aid station he had over a minute lead on chasers who were now Dwight, followed by Thompson and finally Bishop.
With less than 10 miles of riding left it looked doubtful that Bishop could close the gap on the leader. Bishop started by overtaking Thompson after the final aid station. He then made quick work of Brandon Dwight who was riding strong in second place. Finally he caught and passed the Trek rider Brown just before the finish crossing the line just 19 seconds out front.
Jen Gersbach keeps it steady on the climbs
The solo women had their own battle for the top spot. Christina Begy (Dale's Pale Ale/Spot) started the day strong hammering the opening climb and securing an early lead on the Tiger Road climb ahead of Jen Gersbach and Jen Hanks (Revolution/MTBracenews.com). But as the trail began to steepen just before the Colorado Trail entrance her Gersbach climbed her way past Begy.
Once on the Colorado Trail Gersbach used her talents as a technical rider to stay out front putting several minutes into the chasers before the final aid station. She held her lead throughout the final 10 miles of trail tightening her grip on first in the GC. Begy stayed strong to finish in second ahead of Hanks who fell back to 3rd in the GC. Gersbach, a newcomer to stage racing, said after the race, "I felt good today the trail was really fun.I hope I can go this fast again tomorrow."
Indeed all the riders of the Breck-Epic seemed to share that same feeling, FUN. Today's Colorado Loop was a hit with all the participants.
Race Notes:
Blake Harlan (Jamis) was having a strong ride early in the race. The Jamis yougster was hanging tight with Mark Legg-Compton when he suffered the first of 4 flat tires he would have today.
Solo Men:
1, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com) 2.47.25
2, Travis Brown (Trek) 2.47.47
3, Ben Thompson (Cannondale Factory) 2.50.02
4, Brandon Dwight 2.52.00
5, James Williams 2.58.10
Solo Women:
1, Jen Gersbach (Dale's Pale Ale/Spot) 3.37.14
2, Christina Begay (Dale's Pale Ale/Spot) 3.42.08
3, Jen Hanks (MTBRaceNews.com)
Singlespeed
1, Dan Durland (Pro Cycling) 3.13.37
2, Dave Wilson (Titus) 3.15.51
3, Jeff Carter 3.22.16
2-Person Coed
1, Grege Frozley/Alison Dunlap 3.33.14
40+ Men
1, Mark Legg-Compton 2.56.02
2, Charlie Hayes (Gary Fisher) 3.07.17
General Classification after 2 stages:
Men Solo:
1. Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie Cannondale) 3:22:49
2. Travis Brown (Trek) +.41
3. Ben Thompson (Cannondale) + 6.38
4. Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport) +6.55
5. Colby Pearce +13.46
Women's Solo:
1. Jen Gersbach (Dale Pale Ale/Spot) 4.27.16
2. Cristina Begy +7.40
3. Jen Hanks (Revolution/MTBracenews.com)+15.43
4. Amy Robillard (Tough Girl/Contessa) +43.17
Riders enjoy the fantastic Rocky Mountain backdrop
No surprises here Alison Dunlap and husband Greg Frozley are leading the Coed Duo race
