The Canadians (Transrockies Events) are here! This is the kind of invasion we welcome. Awesome event with incredible support and super fast exciting racing with Canadians.
Here is a little teaser of the course today, up on Porcupine Rim with amazing vistas and great trails.
A chilly start in the desert for the first day of Moab Rocks, did not last long. After a neutral start through town, the heat was on. Cruising straight up Sand Flats Road from town, the 15 mile plus climb sorted out just after a steep slotted notch. The lead pack of about 30 was split from there on. The eventual women’s 3 day race leader Marlee Dixon from Fairplay (MTBRace News) led up the whole climb. Riding in a small group of 3 at times was Jena Greaser, Olympian Catherine Pendrel and Marlee. After the race Marlee said she was a little start struck after Catherine paid her the ultimate compliment, “you’re a beast.”
Turning off Sand Flats road to connect to LPS the race really took a down turn, finally. The riders were rewarded handsomely with an iconic Moab tooth loosening rocky descent. Porcupine Rim trail is usually tackled on a 5-6” trail bike, but not for most of this crew. This trail pushes the limits of most riders equipment, and skill level, especially at race pace.
The mens top riders all finished within seconds of each other with Geoff Kabush, Ben Sonntag and Justin Lindine rounding out the top 3.
Taylor Lideen, riding in 3rd most of the race, dropped his chain less than 5 in from the finish and ended up in 4th, 33 seconds back from Justin Lindeen.
Catherine Pendrel snuck past Marlee Dixon in the last few miles of the descent to take first on the one day race, leaving to go back to Canada early. Top 3 women finishers for the first of 3 days were Marlee Dixon, Jena Greaser and Maghalie Rochette, with less than 1 min separating them at the line.
Tomorrow should be amazing with the race headed to Klondike Bluffs for a tour on the north side of town. Tomorrows course includes newer trails like Dino Flow, UFO, Alaskan and EKG.
Here are the full results from today’s race.
