Intermountain Cup #1: St. George, Utah
Once again the threatening early forecast for this weekend’s race failed to materialize. Fortunately, some of the most exciting racing in Utah Intermountain Cup history blew in just as predicted. Large fields were the norm for all categories with the Pro men boasting an impressive field 33 strong. The men’s event may have been a coming of age of sorts for Pro MTB racing in Utah. After years of slowly growing fields and deeper talent this weekend’s race was the pinnacle of that progress. Thirty-three of the state’s top riders took the start with names like Alex Grant (Cannondale), Bart Gillespie (Cannondale), Rob Squire (Jamis), Jason Sager (Jamis), Adam Snyder (Jamis), Burke Swindelhurst (Team Give), and Chris Holley (Gary Fisher 29er Crew), all vying for the top spot.
From the start it looked to be a show down between the Jamis and Cannondale teams. Adam Snyder led into the opening singletrack with his teammates Sager and Rob Squire close behind. Grant and Gillespie from Cannondale were still in the mix and quickly took the lead establishing themselves at the front of the pack.
Grant and Gillespie worked at the front getting clear by 20 seconds. On the second lap Snyder fell victim to mechanical while Squire and Swindlehurst stayed close to the leaders.
By the third lap of four, Swindelhurst had bridged to the leaders and launched an attack on the final section of doubletrack climb on the lap. Grant and Gillespie closed back down on the new race leader in the technical descent ending the third lap.
Again on the flat doubletrack Swindelhurst attacked again. This time the Cannondale duo couldn’t respond. Swindelhurst had too much speed in his legs and he held his gap through the final lap crossing the line 20 seconds ahead of Grant.
Gillespie took third just 15 seconds behind his teammate. 19 year-old wunderkid Rob Squire picked up right where he left off last season. Squire rode a strong race taking fourth just 38 seconds behind the veteran Gillespie.
Gary Fisher rider Chris Holley proved once again that you don’t have to have a great start to finish on the podium. After the opening road section Holley was toward the end of the 30-plus rider field. He battled throughout the race slowly making his way all the way to fifth by the finish.
Race Notes
The large turn out and fast course led to tremendous frustration among the racers as over 200 riders were battling on course at the same time. “It was really frustrating” commented Cannondale rider Alex Grant, “ we spent most of the race off the side of the course trying to pass people.” Indeed, many of the racers were disappointed with the conditions on course saying they were either passing lapped traffic or being passed all throughout the race.
Results
Pro Men
1, Burke Swindelhurst (Team Give) 1.43.46
2, Alex Grant (Cannondale) 1.44.06
3, Bart Gillespie (Cannondale) 1.44.21
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
This custom bicycle jersey is as my wife says “fun”. Lots of color, so that when you are riding your bicycle sporting your custom cycling jersey you will get spotted.
