Weather can always be a factor at 24 Hours of Moab. Over the years Moab has had the “snow year”, then the “rain year” and 2008 will forever be known as the “wind year.” Forecasts had been calling for freezing temperatures and snow fall the week leading up to the race. While the temperatures failed to drop, nearby storm systems stirred up unrelenting winds, at times gusting up to 35-40 mph and carrying the fine desert sand, the kind of abrasive, scouring wind that eats through rock creating the hundreds of sandstone arches that Moab is famous for. The field, which included top cross country and ultra-endurance racers like Chris Eatough (Trek/VW), Tinker Juarez (Monavie/Cannondale), Danny Pate (Pro Cycling), Kelli Emmett (Pro Cycling), and Josh Tostado (Bach Builders), were not about to let the weather keep them from racing.
As tents blew away in the support area the wind was wreaking havoc on the race course, the blowing sands quickly drifted in whatever riding lines were once there. As the riders lined up for the noon start, the wind storm was at it’s peak. The sand kicked up by the normally dusty Le Mans start engulfed the field as it was picked up by the howling wind. The first rider to emerge was German Monavie/Cannondale rider Ben Sonntag and he proved running is just one of his talents as he held his lead all throughout the opening lap. Solo rider Josh Tostado entered the transition tent with the third fastest opening lap. Right from the start it was clear Tostado was looking to avenge his heartbreaking loss at the 24 Hour National Championships which saw him lose his lead over 24 hour superstar Chris Eatough in the final hours of the race.
Tostado was using his usual race strategy, start fast and establish a lead early. And he succeeded by opening up a lead of several minutes in the opening laps. Early on it seemed as though Tostado's strategy may be working against him. As he stayed out front by himself the other top solo riders were content to ride together saving precious energy by drafting through the wind on the long open sections of the course. Tostado soldiered on however and after the first several laps all the solo riders were on their own. Just like 24 Hour Nationals Tostado held a slim lead of several minutes over National Champion Eatough when the sun went down.
With the sun set and the wind still blowing temperatures dropped quickly. The cold couldn’t slow Tostado as the race leader continued to post laps times under one hour twenty minutes. The race between Tostado and Eatough remained tight and it seemed as though Eatough was just waiting to make his move, the way he did in Wausau. In the early hours of Sunday morning, that all changed as Eatough was forced to abandon the race suffering from hypothermia. Nothing could stop Tostado now. As dawn broke and the horrible conditions of the previous day were replaced by blue skies and warm temperatures Tostado cruised around the course finishing off 17 laps to claim the first ever 24 Hour Galactic Championship. Tinker Juarez came in second with 16 laps followed by South African Roan Exelby (Squirt Lube).
In the women’s solo race the most significant move happened before the race even started as U.S. National Champion Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth) withdrew from the race due to illness. This left 2007 winner, Jari Kirkland (Boulder Performance Network), as the top gun on course. Kirland ,who had been instrumental in assuring proportional payout for the women’s solo category prior to the race, was able to take advantage of her own efforts as she claimed the women’s top spot, completing 13 laps, two laps in front of second place Chris Cannon (Honey Stinger). Thanks to Kirkland and Granny Gear’s efforts to provide adequate pay back for female solo racers she received a check for $1,000 and the title of Galactic Champion.
In the 4-Person Pro Men’s competition the Monavie/Cannondale squad schooled all other teams completing a combined 21 laps with team rider Bart Gillespie claiming the fastest lap prize with a 1:01:36.
The 4-Person Pro Women’s prize went to the Utah Girls team. The team of Lara Kendall, Julie Minahan, Erika Powers, and Jen Hanks defended their home turf by beating the much more well known SoBe Bella composite team. And the 4-Person Coed Pro race went to the Pro Cycling team with team member Kelli Emmett putting in the fastest women’s lap time of the day with an incredible 1:12:53.
This year left no doubt that Moab is the toughest 24 hour race in the nation. Now that the dust has settled on the 2008 24 Hours of Moab, one question still remains: After winning the Galactic championships, what color stripes do you get to put on your jersey?
Race Notes:
The award for "Most Ridiculous Team of the Race" goes to Cruiser Bike Disaster, Felt Racers. The team of Chucky "Trucker" Gibson, Jason Asay, Racer Gibson, and John Woodruff completed 14 laps on stock beach cruisers compete with fenders, balloon tires, coaster brakes, and kick stands! In spite of all that Trucker Gibson posted a lap time of 1:22:49. After the finish Team Captain Racer Gibson said "That was just retarded."
After the race Laird Knight announced Granny Gear would be continuing it's series again next year but trimming it down to 3 races which include Big Bear, West Virginia, Moab, Utah, and the new addition of 24 Hours of 9-Mile in Wausau, Wisconsin site of the U.S. 24 Hour National Championships for the past 2 seasons.
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