Travis Brown leads Jeremiah Bishop on the climb up the Burro trail with Colby Pearce just behind
Writing and Photos by: Shannon Boffeli
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If yesterday was the Queen stage of the Breck-Epic, today's stage, the Wheeler Loop, would have to be the King. Riders would have to climb from Breckenridge to a height above 12,000 feet and stay there for close to an hour. The night before, Race Director Mike McCormack explained that the course went up the Burro climb then Spruce Creek road and onto a goat trail. Many riders, like myself, believed the Goat Trail was just another interesting Breck trail name. But they were wrong. It was actually a trail, used by white-bearded mountain goats. The trail was narrow, at times too narrow for a rider and a bike and it crossed over several snowfields and after the finish it was all everyone was talking about. It's clear this hardy bunch of riders are here for a challenge and that is exactly what the Wheeler Loop gave them.
Once again it was Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com) and Travis Brown (Trek) pushing the pace early in today's stage. This time the lead duo was joined by Colby Pearce (Michelob Ultra). Pearce has been pretty quiet since the prologue where he finished 4th. Pearce was on fire today and was clearly looking to move up in the GC. Behind the leaders came a tight bunch with all the GC contenders including Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport), Jorge Espinoza (Horizon Organic), and Cannondale teammates Ben Thompson and James Williams. Harlan Price (Indepent Fabrications) was missing in action and at risk of losing his tenuous grip on 5th in the GC.
Once the riders crested Spruce Creek Road and hit the hike-a-bike Bishop had opened a small gap on his two companions. He pushed the pace over the snowfields trying to maintain his lead and by the time he hit the descent and onto the long section of bike path near Interstate 70 the leader could no longer see his chasers. The Monavie rider kept on the gas for the next 10 miles and despite fading towards the end he was never at risk of being overtaken. After the race a tired but staisfied Jeremiah Bishop said, "I really pushed the pace hard on the bike path and into the last few miles of the trail. I kind of paid for it in the end. I got really tired heading into the finish. Up on the crest I should have just put a foot down and grabbed something to eat but I was too anxious to keep my gap."
Travis Brown crossed the line in second just two minutes back while Colby Pearce completed a fantastic ride taking 3rd on the day and moving himself up to 5th in the GC. Ben Thompson struggled with flat tires today and lost significant time in his quest to overtake Brandon Dwight for 3rd in the GC, while Canadian Cory Wallace (Kona) had another solid ride finishing 4th on the stage.
In the women's event Jen Gersbach (Dale's Pale Ale/Spot) was on the defensive all day against a strong attack from Christina Begy who sits 2nd in the GC. Begy got a healthy lead in the early climbing and Gersbach was forced to chase. By aid station one Begy was over 4 minutes in front and still climbing well. She cruised through the aid station without stopping. Begy maintained her lead throughout the summit of Peak 10 and down to aid station two just 8 miles from the finish.
Gersbach was chipping away at the lead and by aid two Begy was less than a minute out front. With the determination of a great endurance racer Gersbach used what was left in the tank and closed the gap. Once past Begy she motored her way through the final sections of rocks, roots, and bridges pulling away by a full 4 minutes at the finish.
As we reported yesterday, the singlespeed men were separated by less than one second in the GC with David Wilson (Titus) taking Stage 3 over GC leader Dan Durland (Pro Cycling). Wilson would not be denied today. Grinding his way into the lead on the early climbs it was clear he had his sights set on another stage victory. Durland did his best to limit his losses but trailed Big Dave by 8 minutes at the end of stage 4.
Tomorrow is the final stage of the inaugural Breck-Epic. Riders face slightly less climbing than previous stages and a distance of roughly 33 miles. Check back with MTBracenews.com for all the results, photos, and reports from the final stage.
Solo Men
1, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com) 3.35.53
2, Travis Brown (Trek) 3.37.54
3, Colby Pearce (Michelob Ultra) 3.42.53
4, Cory Wallace (Kona) 3.47.08
5, Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport) 3.48.45
6, Yuki Saito (Topeak/Ergon)
7, Kip Biese (Old Town Biek Shop)
8, James Williams (Cannondale)
9, Ben Thompson (Cannondale)
10, Blake Harlan (Jamis)
Solo Women
1, Jen Gersbach (Dale's Pale Ale/Spot) 4.30.49
2, Christina Begy (Christina Begy) 4.34.50
3, Jen Hanks (Revolution/Powerbar) 5.11.42
4, Amy Robillard (Tough Girls/Scott) 6.14.05
5, Kim Bear (Santa Fe) 6.34.48
Singlespeed
1, David Wilson (Titus) 4.13.40
2, Jake Kirkpatrick (New Belgium Brewing) 4.19.22
3,Dan Durland (Pro Cycling) 4.21.11
Duo Men
1, Team Kappi (Brady Kappius/Russell Kappius) 4.03.26
2, GT Dirt Coalition (Ryan Krayer/ Jerry Long) 4.29.35
3, Team 303 Racing (Nick Howell/Hank Pool) 4.40.03
GC Standings after 5 stages:
Men Solo
1. Jeremiah Bishop 12.40.13
2. Travis Brown 12.49.09
3. Brandon Dwight 13.14.17
4. Ben Thompson 13.24.06
5. Colby Pearce 13.32.28
Women Solo
1. Jen Gersbach 16.16'51"
2. Christina Begy 16.44'55"
3. Jen Hanks 18.12'05"
Singlespeed
1. David Wilson 14.56.10
2. Dan Durland 15.03.40
3. Jake Kirkpatrick 15.28.17
Men Duo
1. Team Kappii (Russell and Brady Kappius) 14.35.18
2. Team GT Dirt Coalition (Ryan Krayer and Jerry Long)15.03.46
3. Team 303 Racing (Nick Howell and Hank Pool) 16.40.54
For Full Results and all the other categories Click Here
Riders climbed up Spruce Creek road and finally onto the snow fields in the distance
David Wilson grimacing his way into first in the singlespeed competition
Russell and Brady Kappius opened a can on the GT Dirt Coalition Team today
Mark Legg-Compton riding strong as always in the top-10 overall
Team Ergon's Yuki Saito
Jen Gersbach holds onto the women's solo jersey
