Cyclocross

Results: 2019 Epic Rides Grand Junction Off-Road Fat Tire Crit and Backcountry Races – Cyclocross Magazine

While the international scene was in Albstadt for the UCI XCO World Cup, the domestic mountain bike scene was in Grand Junction, Colorado for the second of the four Epic Rides Off-Road races.

The four-race series that culminates with the Oz Trails Off-Road in the land of the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships kicked off in April at the Whiskey Off-Road in Arizona.

The Epic Rides Off-Road series is one of the fastest growing cycling series in the U.S. thanks to a format that features a backcountry race for amateurs of all levels, and a 40-50 mile backcountry and fat tire crit for pros. The fat tire crits take place on Friday evening of the race weekend and the backcountry events on Sunday.

The Epic Rides series has sought to build a party-like atmosphere at the events, and not surprisingly, the Grand Junction event coincided with the Four Peaks Downtown Music Festival.

The 40 Grand route the pros rode totaled 43 miles in distance with nearly 6,000 feet of climbing. Like many of the backcountry routes used in the series, the race started with a climb, and then after a descent, riders faced a second 1,500-foot climb. The race website described the track:

All participants will climb their way out of downtown Grand Junction onto the Uncompahgre Plateau, while connecting some of the area’s favorite technically challenging singletrack, double track, gravel roads and the occasional paved segment in the world famous Lunch Loops trail system and beyond.

Fat Tire Crit Results

The weekend’s festivities kicked off with Friday evening’s Fat Tire Crit. For the Fat Tire Crit, riders are required to race on the mountain bike they will race on Sunday with tires 38mm or wider.

Katerina Nash (Clif Pro Team) continued her impressive start to the Epic Rides series with a win in the Fat Tire Crit. Sofia Gomez Villafane (Stan’s – Pivot Pro Team) finished second and Kaysee Armstrong (Liv Cycling) third.

Kaitie Keough (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) made the trip over from Colorado Springs and took fourth in the Crit. Hannah Finchamp (Clif Pro Team) took 6th, Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) 8th, Courtenay McFadden (Pivot Cycles/Maxxis p/b Stan’s/DNA Cycling) 15th, Rebecca Gross (KSH Bicycles – Voler – Kenda) 22nd and last weekend’s Bear 100 gravel race winner Leia Rollins 26th.

In the Men’s race, Geoff Kabush (Yeti – Maxxis – Shimano) took the Fat Tire Crit win. Land Run 100 winner Payson McElveen took second and Bryan Lewis (Cutaway, USA) third.

Stephan Davoust (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) finished 5th, Brannan Fix (Alpha Bicycle – Groove Subaru) 7th, Gosse van der Meer (Kali – Fox – Evoc – Bombtrack – Hunt – Ritchey – Ride 100% – Northwave) 14th, Fernando Riveros (CZRacing) 15th, Henry Nadell (CZRacing) 21st, Brian Matter (Linear Sport Racing) 22nd, Carl Decker (Giant Factory Off-Road) 25th, Grant Ellwood (Pivot Cycles/Maxxis p/b Stan’s NoTubes) 30th, Drew Dillman (SDG – Muscle Monster) 32nd, Scott Funston (Hold Fast Project) 34th, Justin Lindine (Apex / Hyperthreads) 53rd and Zach Calton (Summit National Team) 56th.

Full Fat Tire Crit results are at the bottom of this post.

Backcountry Race Results

When Sunday’s Backcountry race rolled around, one could argue more than just the equal cash payouts were on the line, with riders vying for spots in the most important power rankings in cycling, the MTB Heat Check Power Rankings.

Nash made it a good weekend on the bike by sweeping the weekend in Sunday’s Backcountry race. Nash finished 5 minutes ahead of runner-up Alexis Skarda (Sprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB). Gomez Villafane continued her strong riding with a third-place finish.

Anthony finished 7th, Finchamp 8th, Keough 10th and Gross 22nd.

Russell Finsterwald (Clif Pro Team) took the Pro Men’s Backcountry win. Kabush wrapped up a strong weekend with a second-place finish and Davoust took third.

Riveros finished 5th, Calton 9th, Nadell 11th, Ellwood 24th, Lindine 26th, Dillman 29th, Fix 30th, Matter 31st, Van der Meer 38th and Funston 60th.

Full Backcountry results are below.

Next up for the Epic Rides Off-Road Series is the Carson City Off-Road the weekend of June 26-28. The next ProXCT race on the domestic schedule is the Missoula XCS the weekend of June 6-9. XCO Nationals are July 23-28 in Winter Park, Colorado.

Featured image: Dave Mable

Pro Women’s Results: 2019 Grand Junction Fat Tire Crit

Place First Last City State/Province Sponsors
1 Katerina Nash Truckee CA Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2 Sofia Gomez Villafane Heber City UT Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
3 Kaysee Armstrong Newbury Park CA LIV Cycling
4 Kaitlin Keough Colorado Springs CO Cannondale
5 Alexis Skarda Grand Junction CO Sprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB
6 Hannah Finchamp Kennewick WA Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
7 Amy Chandos Flagstaff AZ CZracing
8 Crystal Anthony Newbury Park CA LIV Cycling
9 Kelly Catale Pepperell MA Connect / Seven Cycles
10 Rose Grant Columbia Falls MT Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
11 Evelyn Dong Heber City UT Spry Cycles, Stans NoTubes
12 Lauren Komanski Salt Lake City UT Pauls Cycling and Fitness
13 Nikki Peterson Idyllwild CA KS Kenda Womens Elite MTB
14 Andrea Dvorak Charlottesville VA Cutaway
15 Courtenay Mcfadden Bellingham WA Pivot Cycles, Maxxis Tires, Stans NoTubes
16 Lauren Hall Cortez CO Velocio
17 Amy Beisel Colorado Springs CO Kenda tire/LEM helmets/ASSOS
18 Karen Jarchow Eagle CO Topeak, Ergon, Canyon
19 Sarah Kaufmann Salt Lake City UT DNA Pro Cycling Team
20 Ellen Campbell Durango CO Bear Pro Team p/b Trek
21 Jennifer Smith Gunnison CO Kenda Cannondale Stans Notubes Magura
22 Rebecca Gross Golden CO KHS Bicycles Voler Kenda
23 Lydia Tanner Boulder CO n/a
24 Ashley Carelock Dolores CO Amy D Foundation
25 Nicole Tittensor Axtell UT Jans/Scott
26 Leia Schneeberger De Pere WI Broken Spoke Bikes, Hammer Nutrition, Princeton Club
27 Laura Leaton Denver CO ALP Cycles Racing
28 Erin Osborne Flagstaff AZ Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution/HawthorneMD
29 Sienna Leger Redel Park City UT Cannondale, Mavic, POC, Vittoria, Hyper Threads, Togs
30 Andi Zolton Edmonds WA Roam Bike Fest
31 Sparky Moir Sears Fruita CO Pivot, MRP, Ergon, ENVE, BikeFlights

Pro Men’s Results: 2019 Grand Junction Fat Tire Crit

Place First Last City State/Province Sponsors
1 Geoff Kabush Squamish BC Yeti, Maxxis, Shimano, Fox, Stans NoTubes, GU
2 Payson Mcelveen Durango CO Orange Seal Off-road Team
3 Bryan Lewis Charlottesville VA Cutaway, USA
4 Tristan Uhl Newbury CA Giant Factory Off-Road
5 Stephan Davoust Newburry Park CA Giant Factory Off-Road
6 Jake Yackle Carson City NV FSA, Shimano, Primal Wear, Orange Seal, Panaracer, KHS, Clif Bar, Kali Protectives
7 Brannan Fix Grand Junction CO Alpha Bicycle Co.-Groove Subaru
8 Garrett Gerchar Boulder CO THG Ent.
9 Taylor Shelden Breckenridge CO Tokyo Joes – Scott
10 Alec Pasqualina Boulder CO SET Coaching/ Arlberg Sports/ Pivot Cycles
11 Alexey Vermeulen Pinckney MI Bianchi, Shimano, Carhartt, Q+M, Enve, ESI grips
12 Bryson Perry Draper UT Rouleur Devo
13 Alex Grant Salt Lake City UT Cannondale, ENVE Composites, Hyperthreads, and Gear Rush
14 Gosse Van Der Meer Kranenburg Kali Protectives, Fox, Evoc, Bombtrack, Hunt, Ritchey, Ride100%, Northwave
15 Fernando Riveros Austin TX CZracing
16 Samuel Elson Breezy Point MN Muddy Bikes Mn
17 Kyle Trudeau Tucson AZ CZracing
18 Georwill Perez Roman Prescott, Az AZ TrekPuertoRicoRacing
19 Anders Johnson Huntsville UT Rouleur Devo p/b DNA
20 Liam Earl Grand Junction CO Clif Bar, Niner Bikes, DT Swiss
21 Henry Nadell Carbondale CO CZracing
22 Brian Matter Prescott AZ Linear Sport Racing, Trek, Shimano, Clif Bar
23 Ben Sonntag Durango CO Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
24 Russell Finsterwald Colorado Springs CO Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
25 Carl Decker Bend OR Giant Factory Off-Road
26 Ryan Standish Alice Springs NT Summit Bike Club, Cannondale, Hyper Threads
27 Eli Kranefuss Mill Valley CA Bear Pro Team, Trek, Castelli, Fox, Oakley, Maxxis
28 Pete Karinen Calumet MI Broken Spoke Racing
29 Felix Burke Mont-tremblant QC Rocky Mountain Factory Team
30 Grant Ellwood Boulder CO Pivot Maxxis PB Stan’s NoTubes
31 Mike Sampson Woody Creek NH Hub of Aspen, The Feed, Stephen Davoust
32 Andrew Dillman Fairdale KY SDG – Muscle Monster
33 Kahlo Chitraroff Grand Junction CO Imperium
34 Scott Funston Grand Junction CO Hold Fast Project
35 Oliver Zurbruegg Lauterbrunnen BE BiXS Pro Team
36 Quinn Moberg Garibaldi Highlands BC Rocky Mountain Factory Team
37 Justin Martin Colorado Springs CO Specialized bikes, Amphuman, Biketogs, Sevenpoints CBD, orangesealed
38 David Krimstock Carbondale CO Shimano MTB/Pearl Izumi/Pivot Cycles/Maxxis/First Endurance
39 Lucas Rowton Durango CO Premium Progression / Montrose Bike Shop
40 Sam Vickery Durango CO Myth Cycles
41 Cobe Freeburn Durango CO Specialized, DNA Cycling
42 Keiran Eagen Durango CO Scott, Voler Apparel, 2nd Avenue Sports, Abode Health Care
43 Isaac Nagel-brice Boulder CO Tokyo Joes MTB Team
44 Cooper Wiens Durango CO Team Topeak-Ergon
45 Jacob Morales Naranjito PR AZ Devos
46 Nic Beechan Idyllwild CA Trek, Shimano, 100%, ODI, Fox, Kenda
47 Taylor Lideen Phoenix AZ Pivot Cycles, Infinit, Shimano, Stans, TOGS
48 Cal Skilsky Durango CO CZracing
49 Cypress Gorry Pisgah Forest NC Rouleur Devo p/b DNA Cycling
50 Ethan Moyer Steamboat Springs CO Steamboat Velo
51 Brian Firle Boulder CO Athletes in Action, Roots Racing, Shimano
52 Elliott Baring Dahlonega GA Pivot Cycles/Maxxis Tires/Starlight Apparel
53 Justin Lindine Ogden UT Apex / Hyperthreads
54 Colin Osborn Carbondale CO
55 Spencer Glasgow Alpine UT
56 Zach Calton Salt Lake City UT Summit National Team
57 Sam Sweetser Park City UT Cole Sport
58 Caleb Reese Golden CO Pedal Pushers Racing
59 Nash Dory Durango CO CZracing
60 Jordan Andersen Draper AZ Rouleur Devo
61 Kevin Quattlebaum High Rolls NM High Altitude, Specialized, ESI grips, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Oakley
62 Clayton Otto Salt Lake City UT Pivot Cycles,TRP, Rotor
63 Adam Saban Sioux Falls SD Roots Racing p/b Athletes in Action
64 Terol Pursell Golden CO Amy D Grassroots
65 Adam Zimmerman Highlands Ranch CO Avout Racing
66 Chris Baddick Eagle CO GORE® Wear, Scott Bicycles
67 Matt Behrens Park City UT Summit Bike Club
68 Ernie Watenpaugh Ophir CO Jack Daniels, BMC, Telluride Venture Accelerator
69 Truman Glasgow Trumanville UT
70 Levi Kurlander Durango CO Voler Apparel, Trek Bikes
71 Michael Smart Salt Lake City UT Family Bike Shop p/b Niner Bikes
72 Spencer Powlison Boulder CO VeloNews
73 Max Miller Sandy UT
74 James Kirkham Auckland AK Niner Bikes NZ
75 Dylan Johnson Brevard NC FBS Racing
76 Jeff Minotto Steamboat Springs CO Steamboat Velo p/b Moots
77 Nathaniel Vacura Castle Rock CO Groove Subaru
78 Vincent Davis Arvada CO Racer X cycling, Big Ring cycles, WeRaceHere.org
79 Dillon Osleger Truckee CA Patagonia, Smith, Clif, Santa Cruz, E*Thirteen, WTB
80 Ryan Peterka Spearfish SD None

Pro Women Results: 2019 Grand Junction Backcountry Race

Place Name Time City State/Province Sponsors
1 Katerina Nash 3:46:00 Truckee CA Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2 Alexis Skarda 3:51:17 Grand Junction CO Sprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB
3 Sofia Gomez Villafane 3:55:11 Heber City UT Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
4 Evelyn Dong 3:55:50 Heber City UT Spry Cycles, Stans NoTubes
5 Rose Grant 3:58:09 Columbia Falls MT Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
6 Kaysee Armstrong 4:00:38 Newbury Park CA LIV Cycling
7 Crystal Anthony 4:03:48 Newbury Park CA LIV Cycling
8 Hannah Finchamp 4:09:48 Kennewick WA Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
9 Amy Beisel 4:11:13 Colorado Springs CO Kenda tire/LEM helmets/ASSOS
10 Kaitlin Keough 4:13:25 Colorado Springs CO Cannondale
11 Amy Chandos 4:14:48 Flagstaff AZ CZracing
12 Jennifer Smith 4:21:42 Gunnison CO Kenda Cannondale Stans Notubes Magura
13 Lydia Tanner 4:24:16 Boulder CO n/a
14 Erin Osborne 4:24:29 Flagstaff AZ Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution/HawthorneMD
15 Andrea Dvorak 4:26:59 Charlottesville VA Cutaway
16 Kelly Catale 4:29:37 Pepperell MA Connect / Seven Cycles
17 Nicole Tittensor 4:30:54 Axtell UT Jans/Scott
18 Sarah Kaufmann 4:31:05 Salt Lake City UT DNA Pro Cycling Team
19 Lauren Komanski 4:31:53 Salt Lake City UT Pauls Cycling and Fitness
20 Leia Schneeberger 4:34:57 De Pere WI Broken Spoke Bikes, Hammer Nutrition, Princeton Club
21 Sparky Moir Sears 4:39:53 Fruita CO Pivot, MRP, Ergon, ENVE, BikeFlights
22 Rebecca Gross 4:47:53 Golden CO KHS Bicycles Voler Kenda
23 Ellen Campbell 4:49:15 Durango CO Bear Pro Team p/b Trek
24 Sienna Leger Redel 4:53:46 Park City UT Cannondale, Mavic, POC, Vittoria, Hyper Threads, Togs
25 Laura Leaton 5:06:16 Denver CO ALP Cycles Racing
26 Andi Zolton 5:18:36 Edmonds WA Roam Bike Fest

Pro Men Results: 2019 Grand Junction Backcountry Race

Place Name Time City State/Province Sponsors
1 Russell Finsterwald 3:10:03 Colorado Springs CO Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2 Geoff Kabush 3:12:40 Squamish BC Yeti, Maxxis, Shimano, Fox, Stans NoTubes, GU
3 Stephan Davoust 3:14:10 Newburry Park CA Giant Factory Off-Road
4 Ben Sonntag 3:15:18 Durango CO Clif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
5 Fernando Riveros 3:15:30 Austin TX CZracing
6 Ryan Standish 3:16:32 Alice Springs NT Summit Bike Club, Cannondale, Hyper Threads
7 Alex Grant 3:17:01 Salt Lake City UT Cannondale, ENVE Composites, Hyperthreads, and Gear Rush
8 Nic Beechan 3:17:11 Idyllwild CA Trek, Shimano, 100%, ODI, Fox, Kenda
9 Zach Calton 3:20:13 Salt Lake City UT Summit National Team
10 Samuel Elson 3:20:21 Breezy Point MN Muddy Bikes Mn
11 Henry Nadell 3:20:36 Carbondale CO CZracing
12 Bryan Lewis 3:21:22 Charlottesville VA Cutaway, USA
13 Kyle Trudeau 3:21:25 Tucson AZ CZracing
14 Garrett Gerchar 3:22:25 Boulder CO THG Ent.
15 Oliver Zurbruegg 3:23:13 Lauterbrunnen BE BiXS Pro Team
16 Georwill Perez Roman 3:23:55 Prescott, Az AZ TrekPuertoRicoRacing
17 Pete Karinen 3:24:40 Calumet MI Broken Spoke Racing
18 Tristan Uhl 3:24:53 Newbury CA Giant Factory Off-Road
19 Chris Baddick 3:25:10 Eagle CO GORE® Wear, Scott Bicycles
20 Jake Yackle 3:25:14 Carson City NV FSA, Shimano, Primal Wear, Orange Seal, Panaracer, KHS, Clif Bar, Kali Protectives
21 Mike Sampson 3:25:31 Woody Creek NH Hub of Aspen, The Feed, Stephen Davoust
22 Matt Behrens 3:25:44 Park City UT Summit Bike Club
23 Keiran Eagen 3:26:09 Durango CO Scott, Voler Apparel, 2nd Avenue Sports, Abode Health Care
24 Grant Ellwood 3:26:43 Boulder CO Pivot Maxxis PB Stan’s NoTubes
25 Bryson Perry 3:26:53 Draper UT Rouleur Devo
26 Justin Lindine 3:27:31 Ogden UT Apex / Hyperthreads
27 Nash Dory 3:27:35 Durango CO CZracing
28 Cypress Gorry 3:28:31 Pisgah Forest NC Rouleur Devo p/b DNA Cycling
29 Andrew Dillman 3:28:53 Fairdale KY SDG – Muscle Monster
30 Brannan Fix 3:29:07 Grand Junction CO Alpha Bicycle Co.-Groove Subaru
31 Brian Matter 3:30:23 Prescott AZ Linear Sport Racing, Trek, Shimano, Clif Bar
32 Felix Burke 3:30:33 Mont-tremblant QC Rocky Mountain Factory Team
33 Quinn Moberg 3:31:01 Garibaldi Highlands BC Rocky Mountain Factory Team
34 Jacob Morales 3:32:10 Naranjito PR AZ Devos
35 David Krimstock 3:32:21 Carbondale CO Shimano MTB/Pearl Izumi/Pivot Cycles/Maxxis/First Endurance
36 Cooper Wiens 3:33:21 Durango CO Team Topeak-Ergon
37 Caleb Reese 3:33:25 Golden CO Pedal Pushers Racing
38 Gosse Van Der Meer 3:33:30 Kranenburg Kali Protectives, Fox, Evoc, Bombtrack, Hunt, Ritchey, Ride100%, Northwave
39 Anders Johnson 3:33:40 Huntsville UT Rouleur Devo p/b DNA
40 Alexey Vermeulen 3:34:46 Pinckney MI Bianchi, Shimano, Carhartt, Q+M, Enve, ESI grips
41 Sam Sweetser 3:35:17 Park City UT Cole Sport
42 Cal Skilsky 3:36:32 Durango CO CZracing
43 Alec Pasqualina 3:37:14 Boulder CO SET Coaching/ Arlberg Sports/ Pivot Cycles
44 Clayton Otto 3:38:52 Salt Lake City UT Pivot Cycles,TRP, Rotor
45 Taylor Shelden 3:39:31 Breckenridge CO Tokyo Joes – Scott
46 Elliott Baring 3:39:47 Dahlonega GA Pivot Cycles/Maxxis Tires/Starlight Apparel
47 Cobe Freeburn 3:42:05 Durango CO Specialized, DNA Cycling
48 Isaac Nagel-brice 3:42:13 Boulder CO Tokyo Joes MTB Team
49 Sam Vickery 3:43:34 Durango CO Myth Cycles
50 Spencer Powlison 3:43:35 Boulder CO VeloNews
51 Truman Glasgow 3:45:16 Trumanville UT
52 Brian Firle 3:48:33 Boulder CO Athletes in Action, Roots Racing, Shimano
53 Ryan Peterka 3:48:44 Spearfish SD None
54 Max Miller 3:49:12 Sandy UT
55 Jordan Andersen 3:49:30 Draper AZ Rouleur Devo
56 Michael Smart 3:50:13 Salt Lake City UT Family Bike Shop p/b Niner Bikes
57 Nathaniel Vacura 3:51:12 Castle Rock CO Groove Subaru
58 Vincent Davis 3:51:19 Arvada CO Racer X cycling, Big Ring cycles, WeRaceHere.org
59 Levi Kurlander 3:52:17 Durango CO Voler Apparel, Trek Bikes
60 Scott Funston 3:53:54 Grand Junction CO Hold Fast Project
61 Dillon Osleger 3:54:04 Truckee CA Patagonia, Smith, Clif, Santa Cruz, E*Thirteen, WTB
62 Spencer Glasgow 3:55:27 Alpine UT
63 Adam Saban 3:58:50 Sioux Falls SD Roots Racing p/b Athletes in Action
64 Lucas Rowton 4:00:57 Durango CO Premium Progression / Montrose Bike Shop
65 Adam Zimmerman 4:00:57 Highlands Ranch CO Avout Racing
66 Jeff Minotto 4:03:00 Steamboat Springs CO Steamboat Velo p/b Moots
67 Kevin Quattlebaum 4:05:04 High Rolls NM High Altitude, Specialized, ESI grips, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Oakley
68 Terol Pursell 4:10:14 Golden CO Amy D Grassroots
69 Justin Martin 4:18:17 Colorado Springs CO Specialized bikes, Amphuman, Biketogs, Sevenpoints CBD, orangesealed
70 James Kirkham 4:21:04 Auckland AK Niner Bikes NZ