The Monavie-Cannondale Green Machine dominated in Hurricane, Utah today. While ultra-endurance champion Lynda Wallenfels (lwcoaching.com) wins after returning from injury.
Despite heavy rains overnight today provided clear blue skies and warm temperatures for racers to attack a new and buffed course at the Cholla Challenge. Race promoters added more singletrack to this year’s course while shortening the lap by eliminating much of the double track that proved so difficult in past years. The new course seemed to be enjoyed by all, several riders reported being surprised by how much they enjoyed the racecourse.
In the Men’s race everyone seemed to be watching the Monavie-Cannondale team. The race today would complete a week long training camp for the team which began last Saturday with the Fontana City National..
A week of riding in Las Vegas and southern Utah did not slow the Green Machine. Right from the start, Monavie riders Gillespie, Alex Grant, Jeremiah Bishop, and Bryan Alders charged to the front.
David Welch (Kuhl/Scott) tried his best to ruin the Monavie party. Welch even briefly took the lead on lap one but the Green Machine would not be denied today.
Soon Bishop, Gillespie, and Grant hooked up using their numbers to compete against the headwinds. Unfortunately, for Bishop he punctured a tire in a rocky section of singletrack. “ I was riding third wheel and I couldn’t see in front of them so I just followed them right into a rock. I thought I may have gotten lucky but after a few minutes I could feel the tire going flat.” The flat would end his chances for a win.
The Green Machine was now down to two. Gillespie and Grant carried on, blazing sub 30 minute lap times. Locked together it was clear the finish would be decided on a sprint and just he did in St. George, Bart “The Working Man” Gillespie made a last minute acceleration to take the win by 6 seconds over Alex Grant.
Bryan Alders completed a Monavie top-3 finishing third as David Welch held on for fourth. Finishing out the podium was Scott/WTB rider Drew Edsall.
The Pro women’s race included some strong riders including Wallenfels, Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale.com), Jen Hanks (Revolution/Peak Fasteners), and KC Holley (Gary Fisher).
Wallenfels has been dealing with a nerve injury in her left leg that she sustained at the 24 Hour of Old Pueble. The injury has forced her to take some time off of the bike. She didn’t let it show as she rode strong right from the start. Wallenfels pushed a pace only match by Monavie rider Sue Butler.
As Wallenfels tapped out a consistent and hard pace she soon found herself alone at the front. She soldiered on through the wind and rocks finally crossing the line minutes ahead of Butler. Butler was followed by KC Holley, Jen Hanks, and Erika Powers (Revolution/Peak Fastners) who rounded out the top-5.
Race Notes
Prior to the race Monavie-Cannondale team manager Matt Ohran made a bet with his team stating that any of the Pro riders who finished behind him had to wash the team truck and after a week of desert riding the truck was really dirty. After his flat tire, Bishop fell behing his team manager and was at risk of needing to find a car wash. But with a last lap burst of speed he overtook his team leader.
Results
Pro Women
1, Lynda Wallenfels (lwcoaching.com)
2, Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
3, KC Holley (Gary Fisher)
4, Jen Hanks (Revolution/Peak Fasteners)
5, Erika Powers (Revolution/Peak Fasteners)
6, D.J. Morrisette
Pro Men
1, Bart Gillespie (Monavie-Cannondale.com) 1.48.50
2, Alex Grant (Monavie-Cannondale.com) 1.48.56
3, Bryan Alders (Monavie-Cannondale.com) 1.49.55
4, David Welch (Kuhl/Scott) 1.52.38
5, Drew Edsall (Scott/WTB) 1.53.11
6, Chris Holley (Gary Fisher)
7, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
8, Matt Ohran (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
9, Brandon Cross (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
10, Rich Abbott (Revolution/Peak Fasteners)
11, Jason Asay (Felt)
12, Shannon Boffeli (MTBracenews.com)
13, Brock Olson (Binghams)
14, Kurt Wolfgang (Kuhl/Scott)
15, Jonny Hintze (Biker's Edge)
16, Quinn Bingham (Biker's Edge)