Merging the Mountain States Cup and Spirit of the Rockies has resulted in a nine race series that is bigger, stronger and more celebrated. Now called the Subaru Mountain States Cup, the lineup includes legendary race sites at Sol Vista, Steamboat, Denver, Angel Fire, Snowmass, Moab, Crested Butte and more...
ROUND ONE: TOUR OF CANYONLANDS
Drafted around Utah's infamous Moab Rim Trail, the downhill course could be best described as 1.5 miles of sheer slickrock.
Starting just outside the town of Moab, the cross country was largely fire road with entertaining shots of single and two track. As you reached near the top of the canyon, however, all cycling stopped. Riders were then faced with a leg burning, 500 foot hike-a-bike up and over boulders to the top.
DOWNHILL NOTES
France's Cedric Gracia used the event to kick off his season. Now he can head to the Sea Otter one win richer.
Three time Mountain States Champion Gale Dahlager smashed down the treacherous course to win the women's division by half a minute.
CROSS COUNTRY NOTES
It was NORBA Cross Country Champion versus NORBA Short Track champion as Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski took on Todd Wells. Unfortunately for Wells, who is trying to regain form after being sick, the race turned into a never ending lung buster. He had to settle for fifth as Horgan-Kobelski won by a minute and a half.
Kerry Barnholt took the women's cross country win by a giant six minute margin. For info on the remaining Mountain States Cup events contact www.handlebarandgrill.com.
TOUR OF CANYONLANDS RESULTS
MOAB RIM DOWNHILL
1. Cedric Gracia (F)...Siemens-Cannondale...2:28.12
2. Bernard Fredrick...Lenz Sport...at 1.24
3. Ross Milan...Yeti...at 4.31
4. Matt Thompson...Big Crank...at 6.98
5. Kain Leonard...at 8.22
WOMEN
1. Gale Dahlager...Astrix-Poison Spider...3:17.25
2. Faith Bradley...Go-Ride.com...at 26.31
3. Martha Renn...Kind Cyclist...at 27.95
4. Jennifer Whalen...Rumble Factory...at 35.32
5. Lisa Myklak...Astrix Sports...at 35.46
CROSS COUNTRY
1. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski...RLX Ralph Lauren...25 miles in 1:29:19
2. Jay Henry...Specialized...at 1:31
3. Jimi Mortensen...Specialized...at 1:43
4. Matt Shriver...3D Racing-Easton...at 1:51
5. Todd Wells...Mongoose-Hyundai...at 2:52
WOMEN
1. Kerry Barnholt...SoBe-Cannondale...25 miles in 1:49:30
2. Jennifer Smith...Trek-Rocky Mountain...at 5:58
3. Heather Irmiger...Ritchey-K2...at 7:22
4. Kristin Johnson...T-Mobile...at 10:59
5. Abigail Hippely...Maverick American...at 11:46
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