Sea Otter Classic - Cross Country- Full Results, Photos and Report to Follow

Photos courtesy of Brightroom

Burry Stander took the sprint finish for his second consecutive Sea Otter win

Georgia Gould took wins in the short track and XC this weekend

Pro Men

1, Burry Stander (Specialized) 1.23.13
2, Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) 1.23.13
3, Todd Wells (Specialized) 1.23.15
4, Christoph Sauser (Specialized) 1.24.19
5, Roel Paulissen (Cannondale) 1.25.27
6, Manuel Fumic (Cannondale) 1.25.52
7, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.26.05
8, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale) 1.26.05
9, Marco Fontana (Cannondale) 1.26.30
10, Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mountain) 1.26.35
11, Carl Decker (Giant)
12, Barry Wicks (Kona)
13, Adam Morka (Trek)
14, Conrad Stoltz (Specialized)
15, Jason Sager (Jamis)
16, Benjamin Sonntag (Cannondale)
17, Lachlain Norris (Drapac)
18, Travis Livermon (Champions systems)
19, Kris Sneddon (Kona)
20, Thomas Turner (Jamis)
21, Craig Richey (Aviawest)
22, Andy Schultz
23, Stephen Ettinger
24, Ryan Woodall
25, Rotem Ishay
26, Ken Onodera
27, Spencer Paxson
28, Tad Elliot
29, Peter Glassford
30, TJ Woodruff
31, Dana Weber
32, Max Know
33, Robert Marion
34, Stefan Widmer
35, Sean Babcock
36, Kerry Werner
37, Simon Jensen
38, Sam Schultz
39, Tinker Juarez
40, John Bennett
41, Russell Finsterwald
42, Mitchell Hoke
43, Pierre Facomprez
44, Burke Swindlehurst
45, Kalan Biesel
46, Eric Emsky
47, Jeffrey Herrera
48, Dror Pekatch
49, Vincent Lombardi
50, Brendan Stewart
51, Colin Cares
52, Yuki Saito
53, Ben Thompson
54, Bryan Alders
55, Aaron Bradford
56, Erik Tonkin
57, Aren Timmell
58, Scott Frederick
59, Adam Snyder
60, Tim Allen
61, Ross Schnell
62, Greg Carpenter
63, Ethan Gilmour
64, Nate Whitman
65, Alex Grant
66, Kevin Smallman
67, Drew Edsall
68, Spencer Powlison
69, Anthony Slowinski
70, Troy Wells
71, Lucas Livermon -1 lap
72, Omer Kem
73, Nicholas Stevens
74, Aaron Snyder
75, John Nobil
76, Blake Harlan
77, Bradford Perley
78, Dylan Stucki
79, Michael Mooradian
80, Aaron Elwell
81, Brady Kappius
82, Kenny Burt
83, Alex Boone
84, Nate Byrom
85, Justin Maka
86, Gabriel Keck
87, Nitish Nag
88, Brian Astell
89, Charles Jenkins
90, Mitchell Peterson
91, Ncik Weighall
92, Jeff Blair -2 laps
93, Mike Anderson
94, Randall Jacobs
95, Tony Smith
96, Jason Moeschler
97, Wiley Mosley
98, Matt Connors
99, Noah Tautfest
100, Ben Sullivan
101, John Burns
102, Ron Castia
103, Jeff Kerkove
104, Seamus Powell
105, Zachary Keller
106, Bob Delp
107, Osias Lozano
108, Garnet Vertican
109, Rob Sousa
110, Anastasio Flores
111, Andrew Rigel
112, Hal Helbock
113, Eric Batty
114, Evan Plews
115, Rouke Croesser -3 laps
116, Bryan Van Vleet
117, Matt Wittler
DNF Ryan Trebon
DNF Sid Taberlay
DNF Kat Statman
DNF Nick Truitt
DNF Drew Mackenzie
DNF Jim Hewett


Pro Women

1, Georgia Gould (Luna) 1.16.48
2, Lene Byberg (Specialized) 1.16.54
3, Katharine Pendrel (Luna) 1.17.33
4, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.17.34
5, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.17.57
6, Emily Batty (Trek)
7, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com)
8, Katerina Nash (Luna)
9, Chloe Forsman (Tokyo Joe's)
10, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
11, Amy Dombroski (Luna)
12, Alison Powers
13, Melanie McQuaid (Specialized)
14, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Felt)
15, Judy Freeman (Kenda/Felt)
16, Alice Pennington (S&M)
17, Sue Butler (River City Bicycles)
18, Kathy Sherwin (Mafia/Pabst/Felt)
19, Nina Baum (Cannondale)
20, Aleksandra Moora (Bedford/Spin/Verge)
21, Lizzy English
22, Sonya Looney
23, Rebecca Rusch
24, Krista Park
25, Linnea Koons
26, Joelie Guynup
27, Holly Liske
28, Wan Line Chang
29, Christina Betz
30, Lydia Tanner
31, Timari Pruis
32, Danae York
DNF Mical Dyck
DNF Kari Studley

Sea Otter Classic - Short Track - Full Results, Photos, and Report

Photos by: Todd Park
Americans Take Both Sea Otter Short Track Titles

Todd Wells saw nothing but clean air in front of him all throughout today's short track

April weather in Monterrey, California, is known for being predictably unpredictable. It ranges from temperatures in the 50s and thick mud to soaring highs well over 100 with gusting winds. This year however, it seems to be down right pleasant. As riders lined up for the short track today many commented that this is the best weather they have ever seen at Sea Otter.

The racing action was pretty good too.

The women started first with Pro XCT #1 short track winner Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) going to the front. Koerber was joined by Specialized rider Lene Byberg and Georgia Gould (Luna). Canadian Katharine Pendrel (Luna) chased the leaders.

Gould quickly made it clear she had her sights set on winning this race. After several early attacks by the Luna rider, she was finally able to get clear with four laps remaining. Byberg and Koerber were left to do the chasing but Gould's determination to win was just too much.

Georgia Gould took her first win of 2010 in commanding style

With each lap she powered farther off the front leaving all the other riders to sort out who would be second. With one to go, it looked as if Gould's teammate Pendrel would take the runner up spot but Norwegian Lene Byberg surged one final time and passed the Luna rider. Pendrel would take third in front of Koerber and 2009 Sea Otter short track champion Emily Batty (Trek).

Just as the dust settled the men took their turn at Sea Otter glory and just like last year the Specialized team stomped out the competition.

Todd Wells leads the chasers through the chicane

Early on, it was Specialized's big man Todd Wells doing most of the damage accompanied by Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain). A crash early on waded up a healthy portion of the field and assured the front-runners clear sailng.

Wells was soon joined at the front by his South African teammate Burry Stander. And just like 2009, the two simply checked out from the rest of the field. Kabush had his hands full trying to hold off former world champion Christoph Sauser (Specialized) while Subaru/Gary Fisher riders Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Sam Schultz did their best to latch on to the Swiss rider.

Sid Taberlay, flying to Aussie National Championship colors, leads Burry Stander early in the race

There was simply no catching Wells today. The big Specialized rider rode confidently slowly increasing his lead and proving that he is truly on great form heading in to 2010. Wells was able to cruise across the finish line claiming back-to-back Sea Otter STXC wins.

His teammate Stander also repeated his result from 2009 taking second. Kabush held off the charging Swiss rider for third. Sauser crossed the line in fourth while Sho-Air/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay squeaked into the fifth and final podium spot.

Geoff Kabush on course

Staging for the short track event under warm sunny skies in Monterrey

Lene Byberg on her way to a second place finish

Willow Koerber, Lene Byberg, and Georgia Gould opening things up early in the race

Pro Women

1, Georgia Gould (Luna)
2, Lene Byberg (Specialized)
3, Katharine Pendrel (Luna)
4, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
5, Emily Batty (Trek)
6, Katerina Nash (Luna)
7, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
8, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
9, Chloe Forsman (Tokyo Joe's)
10, Mical Dyck (Trek Canada)



Pro Men

1, Todd Wells (Specialized)
2, Burry Stander (Specialized)
3, Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain)
4, Christoph Sauser (Specialized)
5, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized)
6, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
7, Sam Schultz (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
8, Manuel Fumic
9, Carl Decker (Giant)
10, Marco Fontana
11, Ryan Trebon (Kona)
12, Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Specialized)
13, Ken Onodera (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
14, Roel Paulissen (Cannondale)
15, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale)

Julian Death March: Julian, California -- Full Report, Results, and Photos

Written by: Jens Raz

California Cyclocross Champion and two-time Death March Champion Brent Prenzlow defeated Danish Champion Simon Jensen to take his third win at this demanding race.

Brent Prenzlow brining it home for his third Death March win (photo by Mrs. Brent Prenzlow)

This race is called the Julian Death March for a reason. In Race-Director Rich Wolf's own words: "If you weren't dying at some time during the race I haven't done my job." True to form this was one of, if not the toughest race on the West Coast.

A shivering cold greeted the most competitive and eager group ever assembled at the Death March. The 4th annual running promised more climbing and additional miles than ever before.

The promise of stiff competiton drew out defending champion and local speed man/Dentist, Guy Sutton (Cal Coast Cyclery), fresh from a top-10 finish at Vision Quest. His competition was fierce as 2-time Death March winner and multiple California State Cyclocross champion, Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific), was waiting in the wings. Brent had company during the waiting game as the current Danish Cross Country Mountain Bike National Champion, Simon Jensen (HC Stevens Bikes), slid up in position among the defending champions. Cannondale Factory Racer Dezmin Wilder and Sho-Air’s Mario Corea rounded out the top competition. They too wanted a piece of that Julian Apple Pie!

The lead group opens it up on an early climb with Jensen, Prenzlow, Sutton, and Corea left to right (photo by: Rich Wolf)

Compared to the previous years, the 2010 edition was 5 miles longer. A tough "horsethief" like climb/hike a bike was added to the first of two laps, 55 miles into the 64. The last loop adds about 3200 feet of climbing and 22 miles of "beautiful" riding through cow pastures and Wildlife Preserves with turkeys, bulls, snakes and other distractions.

Past editions of the Death March were marked by early breakaways and the eventual winner soloing to a commanding victory. Prenzlow, in his first two wins did so on a cross bike. In contrast, Guy Sutton took the win last year on his Ibis Mojo.

This year interestingly enough, the lead group stayed together producing a very close race for the first 60+ miles between Brent Prenzlow, Guy Sutton and Simon Jensen. Prenzlow was riding smart and doing minimal work while staying in the draft until dropping off on Rodriguez Canyon due to a mechanical. He had lost a water-bottle cage bolt and bottle, as it was wedged into his crank. Loosing close to 5 minutes by the 3rd aid station.

Utah racer Greg Gibson flying the flamboyant orange of Union College with his older brother Charlie just behind (photo by Rich Wolf)

Left to their own wits with Brent distracted, Guy and Simon were on their own to battle it out. Coming out of the desert, Oriflame was the first of 2 brutal climbs to test their strength. Sutton, the 41-year-old dentist, almost dislodged the European coming out of the 1600' climb. Unfortunately for Guy, the thought of early glory was short lived as the Dane was able to create a gap going up the next grueling ascent of Banner Grade. Brent recovered from his potentially devastating mechanical and surged past the 2nd placed rider before leveling out into the town of Julian.

Prenzlow and Jensen duked it out on the final loop. Finally, Prenzlow, riding a 29"mountain bike this year, rode clear on the final evil granny gear climb with just 9 miles to go. Riding solo past the resting steers and turkeys to victory. Rounding out the Podium were the Jensen and Sutton.

Guy Sutton challenged for consecutive wins at the 64-mile grueler (photo by Rich Wolf)

Dezmin Wilder came in fourth with Provo, Utah, resident Greggy Gibson (Racer’s Cycle Service) taking the final podium spot in 5th.

Cannondale's Dezmin Wilder (photo by Rich Wolf)

Not to be outdone, Calvin Mulder finished the race in just over 9 hours on a fixed-gear and rigid mountain bike to show how truly tough some people are!

The Men's Podium -- Sutton, Prenzlow, and Jensen left to right (photo by Jens Raz)

The Death March offers up over 16,000 vertical feet of climbing in 86 miles.

Pro Men

1, Brent Prenzlow
2, Simon Jensen
3, Guy Sutton
4, Dezmin Wilder
5, Greg Gibson
6, Chris Crosby
7, Tom Andrews
8, Luke Wiens
9, Michael Hanson
10, Bruce Wilson
11, Alex Ter-Vrught

US Cup West #4: Santa Ynez, California -- Preliminary Results

Pro Women

1, Tonya Bray (MTBChick.com/Cannondale) 1.39.09
2, Dorothy Wong (The Team/SoCal Cross) 1.49.58

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.48.41
2, Adam Morka (Trek Canada) 1.49.31
3, Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) 1.51.45
4, Craig Richey (Aviawest) 1.52.03
5, Ryan Woodall (Brick City Bicycles) 1.52.12
6, Vincent Lombardi (Sho-Air/Sonnance)
7, Dana Weber (Trek/World Bicycle Relief)
8, Eric Emsky (Blue Competition)
9, Menso DeJong (Santa Cruz)
10, Ethan Gilmour
11, Sean Donovan (KHS)
12, Nate Whitman (Cynergy)
13, Kevin Smallman (Incycle/Cannondale)
14, Alex Boone (Trek)
15, Pierre Facomprez (Look)
16, Aaron Bradford (Specialized)
17, Doug Andrews
18,Matthew Cochran (Win Wheels)
19, Paul Freiwald (Pivot Cycles)
20, Romolo Forcino (Bear Valley Bikes)
21, Randall Jacobs (Wheelworks Racing)
22, Ryan Clark (Cynergy)
23, Chris Heinrichh (The Path Bike Shop)
24, Zac Griffen (Mafia Racing)
25, Tsering Alleyne (Marin Bikes)

Pro XCT #1 -- Fontana, California -- Full Results, Pictures and Report from the XC

Each of the past 4 years the Fontana City National has marked the start to the National mountain bike racing season. The Fontana race is known for it's "urban singletrack" and normally exciting atmosphere as all the best racers amass to kick off the new season. Plenty of big names were on hand from Norwegian Lene Byberg (Specialized) providing some international flavor to former and current Canandian and US National Champions.




At the start of the day the wind was already whipping and by the time the race started the wind was blowing like a sandblaster. The women started first. Byberg entered the race as the favorite due to her second place in the World Championships. But she had been defeated just two weeks earlier by All-American girl Kelli Emmett (Giant). Subaru/Gary Fisher teammates Willow Koerber and Heather Irmiger were also expected to be in the mix as they hold a World Championship podium and National Champion jersey between the two of them. Although no one had heard much from Georgia Gould since last fall, the Luna rider is always strong in Fontana and has a habit of winning Pro XCT races.

The women started fast, all hoping to be the first person up the opening climb ahead of the bottleneck that always happens. Byberg, Gould, and the Gary Fisher teammates all surged toward the front of the bunch. While Okolestuff,com rider Pua Sawicki was mired in traffic and forced to the rear of the 20-plus field.

This year the women got their chance to ride the technical rock drop section that was deemed "too difficult" for them to attempt at last year's race. But rocks weren't about to slow this group down. Byberg occupied the lead with Irmiger, Koerber, and Gould right with her.

After the first of four laps the Norwegian broke free of her counterparts who could do nothing to bring her back even in the strong winds. While Byberg was working her way clear of the group Pua Sawicki had put in a huge effort to work her way through the entire field and into the top-5. Shortly, she was all the way up to third and putting the wood to Willow Koerber. Koerber's teammate had since dropped off the pace but Gould was holding on tight to her podium spot.
At the start of the final lap it was Byberg on her way to a win barring any catastrophe on course. Behind her Sawicki and Koerber were battling each other for the runner-up spot. Gould was still in fourth with Allison Mann (Rock n' Road Cyclery) and Kelli Emmett coming on strong.

Finally, Sawicki made her move, throwing down a nasty attack against the Gary Fisher rider. Koerber couldn't match the speed in Sawicki's legs as the Hawaiian rider moved securely into the second spot.

Behind them Gould was suffering through one of her worst final laps in a long time. The normally dominant rider was feeling some serious pressure with Allison Mann passing her first followed by Emmett.

The Giant rider wasn't done just yet. In her usual come-from-behind fashion she tracked down Mann and made the move into fourth.



In the end it was Lene Byberg winning by over a minute. Sawicki would come in with over a minute on Koerber who was followed by Emmett just three seconds in front of Allison Mann.

The men's race followed a very different script with equal amounts of excitement. Off the line Todd Wells (Specialized) seemed determined to make amends for his broken chain from Fontana last season. He was already in the lead when he reached to spot of his demise from 2009. The big Specialized rider was accompanied by four-time Fontana winner Geoff Kabush, US National Champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Sho-Air/Specialized teammates Sid Taberlay and Max Plaxton, and Sam Schultz also from Gary Fisher.

On the second lap, JHK had encountered a mechanical which dropped him from the group. His Gary Fisher teammate Sam Schultz had come unglued frojm the leaders but clung just 20 seconds off the back.

The leaders shuffled their positions throughout the race but no one could break free into the stiff head winds. The short climb on the back side of the course usually accounts for many of the breaks in the Fontana race and this year riders were driving straight into the worst of the wind. This meant a rider would need to get off the front in one of the singletrack sections and that is a tall order in a talented group of bike handlers like this one.



Cannondale rider Jeremiah Bishop was giving it his all to crack the top-5. He was clearly feeling strong and was putting time into fifth-placed Schultz. Just past the halfway point Bishop flatted his front tire. A slow wheel change sent him out of the top-10.

With just one lap left the lead group still remained. Each member of the group had to be acutely aware of Geoff Kabush being in the bunch. Kabush has never lost a race at Fontana and always seems to find a way to win in California. As the final miles ticked by the group stayed together with Wells finally leading them into the finishing straight.

Wells quickly wound it up with Kabush locked on his back wheel. Nothing was going to stop the Big Red S from crossing the line first. He had just enough lead to pump his fist as he took the win just 3 tenths of a second in front of Kabush. Plaxton crossed the line a few seconds later. Taberlay held on for fourth with Schultz rounding out the podium three minutes behind the lead group.



Race Notes:

20 year-old Robbie Squire (Jamis) finished 14th just behind Horgan-Kobelski, Kris Sneddon (Kona), and Jeremiah Bishop. He was the seventh US rider, a truly impressive result for the youngster.

Click Here for Men's Results

Click Here for Women's Results

Pro XCT #1 -- Fontana, California -- Full Results, Pro Women's XC

Norwegian Lene Byberg of Team Specialized made her move on the second of 4 laps to get clear of the bunch and take win at this year's Pro XCT opener in Fontana. Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) put in a consistent effort throughout the race. Sawicki picked racers off one by one throughout the race before making a decisive attack on the final lap to clear herself of Gary Fisher rider Willow Koerber.

Last year's winner Georgia Gould came home in 6th place.

Women's XC podium with Kelli Emmett, Pua Sawicki, Lene Byberg, Willow Koerber, and Allison Mann left to right (photo by Todd Park)

Full Results

1, Lene Byberg (Specialized) 1.38.58
2, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) 1.40.15
3, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.41.37
4, Kelli Emmett (Giant) 1.41.46
5, Allison Mann (Rock n' Road Cyclery) 1.41.49
6, Georgia Gould (Luna) 1.42.32
7, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.44.54
8, Mical Dyck (Trek Cananda)
9, Emily Batty (Trek World Racing)
10, Amanda Sin (3 Rox Racing)
11, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Felt)
12, Aleksandra Mooradian
13, Krista Park (Cannondale/Incycle)
14, Sue Butler
15, Judy Freeman (Kenda/Felt)
16, Amy Dombroski (Luna)
17, Andrienne Pichette (CVM Subway/Genetik)
18, Kari Studley (Mafia Racing)
19, Anna Fortner (The Team/SocalCross)
20, Lydia Tanner (Tokyo Joes)
21, Deidre York (Velobum.com)
22, Philicia Marion (AMC/Kenda/Tomac)
DNS, Catherine Pendrel (Luna)

Pua Sawicki's Ellsworth Truth, ready to take Sawicki to a personal best finish in the Pro XCT (photo by Todd Park)

2010 Race Bikes

With the official launch of the 2010 mountain bike racing season happening today in Fontana, California, we bring you some of the race bikes the elite riders will be racing this weekend. Although some of the new bikes are still under wraps until the race starts we found these beauties hanging out in the Fontana tech zone Friday.

The Cannondale Scalpel ridden by C-Dale/Incycle racer Krista Park. This ultra-lightweight ride sports a set of Stan's No Tubes ZTR Podium wheelset and the C-Dale Si crank. Park's Magura stoppers are tricked out with sexy red hydraulic hose.

Kelli Emmett's carbon Giant XTC carried her to a season opening win in Bonelli two weeks ago. With Fox 15mm thru-axle and full XTR components Emmett is poised for another fast weekend.

The women of Gary Fisher will be saddling up on 29ers this season. Irmiger and Koerber rode the big-wheeled machines to two National Championships and a podium at World's in 2009. Check out the super-sloped stem with riser bar combo on Koerber's race rig.

The Gary Fisher men will once again be on 29ers as well. This SRAM XX bike belongs to young gun Sam Schultz. The Superfly 100 still hangs in the back of the truck, no doubt waiting for the Super-D on Sunday.

Here is another bike waiting for Sunday's Super-D. The Tomac Snyper is built to eat up the rocky descents in and around Fontana

Check back later today and Sunday for full results, photos, and report from the Fontana Pro XCT

Vision Quest, Orange County California

Jeremiah Bishop wins the Vision Quest with a new course record. Last year's winner Manuel Prado is stopped by mechanicals. Bishop logged a scorching time of 4.45.12, almost a full 30 minutes faster than 2009's winning mark.

Well….. where to start. It is a difficult undertaking to try and describe what the Warrior Society’s “Vision Quest” means to its participants. Supported by Switchback Cyclery this is not considered a race by the promoters. It is heralded as an event to push a rider beyond weakness and overcome their adversities.

Tinker Juarez takes off from aid station #2 (photo by: Ivan Artates)

Not all listened though! Record times, despite 60 minutes, in pitch dark were set..

Perfect conditions greeted the participants on the 2010 edition of the 56 mile/11,000’ “Vision Quest” and the shorter 44 mile/8000’ little brother “Counting Coup”. Thanks to amazing trail conditions, Southern California weather and the house wives of Orange County cheering, this could have appeared to be a walk in the park. Unfortunately, the competition and terrain were not as considerate, neither was the Poison Oak.

With Jeremiah Bishob, Tinker Juarez, Manuel Prado and Cameron Brenneman present, fast times at the Santa Ana Mountains were on tap. Sid Taberlay might have been a cantankerous addition to this dramatic, true mountain bike battle. None the less, this impressive group of riders took the lead on a fast start early Saturday morning.

Going through the first Aid Station it seemed to turn into a battle between Manuel Prado and Jeremiah Bishob. Barely seeing daylight before the first descent down a treacherous, loose and narrow shoot forced the riders to face their fears…..mainly of crashing down the 1800’ plunge.

Manny Prado, seen here with no chain and a flat, was forced to retire from the race due to mechanicals (photo by: Ivan Artates)

When Manny abandoned with mechanical difficulties at the base of Holy Jim, what was rumored to be two flat tires and a broken chain were ultimately his demise.

Another 3000’ plus climb leads to what is arguably one of the most fun descents in the area. Upper Holy Jim is pure joy of tight technical riding opening up to lower HJ with speeds getting up to the 30s . The brutality soon followed after the last climb of VQ’s transition to the Horsethief’s 1.5 mile Hike a Bike slice of pain. Walked by most, feared by all! The reward for this pain is the thrilling last run down Trabuco Canyon towards the finish.

No awards beyond a feather and bragging rights are given.

1st - JB 4:45 course record. (First time racing VQ. Rode 99% of the Horsethief’s hike-a-bike section)
2nd - Tinker Juarez 5:06 (First time riding VQ with a Scalpel full suspension. No headlight, and was just happy to see “something”)
3rd - Cameron Brenneman 5:15. (Has won VQ in past riding single and geared. New course record for singlespeed)
4th - Doug Andrews age 48, (the man behind GeoLadders.com)
5th - Nate Whitman 5:29. Multiple VQ veteran.
6th - Guy Sutton 5:30 (Fastest Dentist in Socal)

Third place overall, Cameron Brenneman set a new course record for singlespeeds (photo by: Ivan Artates)

Even though these blazing times and battles are an amazing story in their own right, Vision Quest tends to challenge all of us in different ways:

Tales like the one of Calvin Mulder, who in the past has run the course, decided to push his limits yet again. After completing the course on a rigid SS in 16th place overall, Calvin ran the course backwards. Next up for him, riding the Julian Death March on a fixed gear.

Mark Sheets riding on a 24” BMX bike, Troy Sladeck who at 15 years is the youngest VQ competitor.
Have you ever considered what your Vision Quest could be?


Men

1, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) 4.45.12
2, Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) 5.06.34
3, Cameron Brenneman - singlespeed - 5.15.48
4, Doug Andrews 5.18.57
5, Nate Whitman 5.29.37
6, Guy Sutton 5.30.42
7, Tim Zandbergen
8, Eric Schuda
9, Jason Rusnak
10, Ryan Clark
11, Charly Kemp
12, Andy McSorley
13, Craig Ames
14, James Walsh
15, Adam Galland
16, Calvin Mulder
17, Michael Caffrey
18, Marc Kase
19, Jeff Resnick
20, Rob McGee
21, Jens Raz (iRide Adventures/MTBRaceNews.com)


Women

1, Christine Gray 8.09.50

Counting Coup Results

Men

1, Danny Munoz 3.53.47 (course record)
2, John Flagg 4.35.46
3, Rich Merrick 4.44.15
4, Jerry Chen - singlespeed - 4.46.19
5, Sjon McGookin 4.47.35

Women

1, Heidi Volpe 4.57.50

12 Hours of Temecula - Full Report and Photos from Vail Lake, California

Tinker Juarez Gets First Win for Cannondale Factory Racing

Written by: Jens Raz

Tinker Juarez, still racing in his MonaVie kit, puts the wood to the competition at 12 Hours of Temecula

Fear of rain and treacherous conditions for Jason Ranoa’s long-running 12-hour mountain bike marathon in Temecula evaporated, as quickly as water from Vail Lake trails. Temperatures started out in the 30s, and steadily climbed to the mid 50s for most of the day. Perfect weather for racing!

After a week of torrential downpours just north of San Diego parts of the racecourse were diverted to avoid a few river crossings. Net result from the week was close to 5 inches of water in Temecula. That number might not mean much to the rest of the country, but it constitutes about half our yearly rainfall in one week.

The resulting racecourse was fun, fast, with plenty of hard punchy climbing thrown in. The staple “Damn Climb” was taken out and replaced with the Bridges. A shorter but steeper switch back climb that led to a high-speed descent on the ridgeline climbing back up to Marlin Ridge. Yet another express descent followed with an undulating course that shot riders into the famous “Tunnel of Love.” Flying out of the Tunnel, feeling more like a video game than a bike race, the course drops out onto a BMX track and sets the rider up for the last short but steep plunge into base camp, just to do it all over again.

The solo race started hard and fast with Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) taking the holeshot and not relinquishing it until the race was over. 9 hours 51 minutes into the 12 hour race Tinker forged out enough padding to relax and let Alan La Framboise and Brian Van Vleet (KHS) hash it out for 2nd and 3rd respectively. 2009 series winner Alan La Framboise encountered some bad luck with a broken rear derailleur hangar that put a stop to his winning intentions. The fast lap of the day 42.02 went to Tinker.

Alan La Framboise kept the pedal to the metal until a mechanical forced him to slow down

The Expert class appeared to be the most closely contested group with both winner Daniel Nelson and 2nd place Phil Kelly doing 13 laps. 3rd place Tom Andrews and 4th Henry Valenzuela rounding it out with 12 laps each.

The second round of the SoCal Endurance Race Series will continue on June 12th at a yet to be disclosed location with the finale to be held on November 13th. Racers enjoyed great support and enormous amounts of swag from Specialized, Spinergy Wheels, Night Rider Lights, Baja Design Lights, Cyco Path Cyclery, Hammer Nutrition, Nimbus Water Systems and many more!

The finishing stretch of the 12 Hours of Temecula

Pro Men

1, Tinker Juarez (CFR) 12 laps
2, Allan La Framboise 10 laps
3, Bryan Van Vleet 10 laps
4, Jared Fisher 9 laps

12 Hour Championships -Vail Lake Resort, Temecula, CA

What a fantastic way to end the 2009 race season! The crowd at the 2009 SoCal Endurance 12 Hour Championships was awesome. With over 235 teams competing for the overall awards, the venue was overflowing with racers. The Championship race was set to be an epic event.


The day started around 6am with rider registration wrapping through the parking lot and venders getting set to support the largest crowd to date! It was awesome to see the rows of tents and vehicles lining up across Vail Lake Resort. At 8:30 the racer meeting was in full effect. Everyone milling around, anxious to get things started! Once the siren sounded the parade lap was underway, we made our way through the campground and back towards the start line. The race was up and rolling!


The next order of the day was the crowning of the King and Queen of the mountain. These are the first male and female riders to make it to the top of the dreaded Damn Climb. There was a solid pack of riders making the lead ascent. Normally the King of the mountain is taken by a super fast team rider who has time to recuperate on the next lap. But in true hard core fashion solo rider Mike Hileman gapped the field and took the title and cash. Not far behind was the always super fast lady rider Allison Mann. Allison and Natasha Hernday did battle all the way up the climb with Allison taking home the cash and title of Queen of the Mountain!

The weather was perfect all day, with sunny skies and a cool breeze blowing around 65 degrees. Racers were settling in and turning some great lap times. The fastest male lap of the day was Super D champion and super fast guy Eric Bierman with a 43 minute lap. There was a tie for the fastest ladies of the day. The time was so close we decided to award Allison Mann and Karen Lundgren with the fastest womens lap. Their lap times were 51 minutes! Everyone seemed to be on fire out their. I was on course all day cheering folks on and it was amazing to see the effort and dedication these riders were putting on. I was proud to be a part of a great race.



As the day wound down and night time creeped in it was time for the night riding. About 5pm everyone hooked up lights and the game faces were on. There was only 4 more hours to pull out and upset victories. When night fell the stars came out and the atmosphere heated up. There was a lot of excitement in the pits. I think it was a combination of heated racing and wanting to be done. Up on course, it was a truly awesome site to see the constant row of lights dancing across the ridgelines. One after the other the racers made their way to the home stretch.

Tired and ready to end the day the 9 o’clock hour rolled around and the 2009 12 Hours Of SoCal Endurance Championships were in the books. It was now time to award the winners of the day's event and crown the Overall Champions of 2009. A great day was had by all and the memories of the year will last a lifetime. Dez Wilder took the Solo Men's division completing 13 laps followed by Ant White and Allan LaFranboise taking second and third. Manueal Vilaseca was the fastest female racer completing 9 laps to take the win just in front of Stephanie Gudreau who also completed 9 laps. Monique Fletcher took third.


Great job to all who came out this year and supported our events! We appreciate your dedication and support. It is due to you the racers and support teams that these events have become a SoCal mainstay. You all ROCK!!!

For more info and complete results go to www.socalendurance.com

The BMX Mulisha including Mario Corea and Heidi Volpe competed in the singlespeed team division on, you guessed it, BMX bikes