The southwest’s inaugural multi day mountain bike stage race covered the best mountain and desert topography used by the legendary Baja 500 and Baja 1000 off-road events. It began just 25 miles below the U.S.-Mexico border and in the party town of Rosarito Beach. For four days, 300 miles, and 24000 feet of climbing, the Baja Epic covered historical hotspots like the Hacienda at Santa Veronica, Tecate, Ensenada, and Valle De La Trinidad, before heading back to Rosarito.

 

“The Baja Epic was designed to be more accommodating than most existing stage races,” said Armando Carrasco, president of race organizer Too Much Fun Promotions. “Racers and guests had the opportunity to stay at host hotels every night. For those who flew into the event, we even offered courtesy transportation from San Diego Airport to the start.”

 

BAJA EPIC COURSE

STAGE 1: Rosarito to Santa Veronica (Tecate), 65 miles, 7860 feet total ascent, 4888 feet total descent. Racing commenced on the beach in front of Rosarito Beach Hotel. The start headed out of town via Rosarito Canyon, across Blvd. 2000, to the infamous Tequila Hill, straight to Valle de las Palmas, to Rancho Viejo, Pena Blanca, through the old King of the Mountain Course and to the finish at Hacienda Santa Veronica.

 

 

STAGE 2: Tecate to Ojos Negros (Ensenada), 81 miles, 5523 feet total ascent, 6216 feet total descent. Started from Hacienda Santa Veronica, to Los Nietos, across Neji, to El Compadre east towards Laguna Hanson, to finish at the park in Ojos Negros. Then a 1/2 hour shuttle to Ensenada.

STAGE 3: Valle de la Trinidad up to Mike's Sky Ranch and back to Valle de la Trinidad, 53 miles, 6850 feet total ascent, 7807 feet total descent. After a shuttle from Ensenada to the Sierra Foothills, this stage began at the entrance to Mike's Sky Ranch on Hwy 3. For half the way it was steady climbing to Mike's, then a gnarly rocky trail towards El Coyote Ranch, back north at the Simpson Downhill, and then continued on some of toughest off-road Courses of the legendary Baja 1000. A few struggling sections of soft sand lead contestants back to the finish at Valle de la Trinidad.

 

 

STAGE 4: This stage started at the Wine Country at Valle de Guadalupe, and headed straight to the Lobster Village in Rosarito Beach; 45 miles, 3236 feet total ascent, 4310 feet total descent. Of all the events held in Baja, this course offered the quickest, fastest shot to the ocean. Once racers made it this far, Stage 4 gave them a bit of distance and climbing relief. All that was left was to uncork the wine and dine on fresh lobster!

 

 

Thanks goes to: www.toomuchfun.com.mx

TOP 10 BAJA EPIC RESULTS

Stage 1...Stage 2...Stage 3...Stage 4...Overall time

1. Evan Plews…Pro…ScottUSA-CSC…5:27:53...6:50:41...4:20:22...2:07:47...18:46:42:71
2. Art McFarland…40-49...6:13:35 8:18:51 5:06:04 2:33:40 22:12:12:03
3. Norm Laird (Mex)…516 Acqua al 2-SDBC
…40-49...6:27:28 8:18:50 5:04:19 2:33:41 22:24:20:79
4. Sergio Correa…40-49...6:32:58 8:18:41 5:20:10 2:39:00 22:50:51:85
5. Andrew Slayton…30-39...6:48:27 8:46:06 6:01:47 2:56:42 24:33:05:56
6. Chris Wurster…50-59...Independent Fab…7:09:24...8:56:04...6:01:46...3:10:43...25:17:58:03
7. Jack Funk (Can)…7:15:51...9:29:47...5:53:41...2:47:23...25:26:42:10
8. Ryan LaBar…20-29...Red Jacket…7:15:49...10:02:39...5:53:38...2:44:13...25:56:20:32
9. Thomas Bratshun…40-49...7:00:06...8:56:06...6:44:51...3:19:36...26:00:41:46
10. Tood Hayden…30-39...7:32:39...9:29:42...6:30:17...3:03:47...26:36:26:52