Transrockies Challenge 2003 - Second Stage

12.08.2003 - The toughest mountain bike race in the world offered up it's toughest stage today as racers gained some 3,000 meters of elevation over 132 km between Fernie and the mining community of Elkford, B.C.

Yesterday's overall leaders Andreas Strobel, of Germany, and Silvio Wieltschnig, from Austria, maintained their overall lead with a finish time today of 6:09.39, including a 10-minute time penalty for carrying less than the minimum safety equipment. As was the case yesterday, the second place finishers were Andreas Hestler and Matt Decore, both of Vancouver, B.C. (6:39.06) while Barrie, Ontario-based Matthew Patterson and Greg Reain stayed in third position with a time of 6:46.21.

Christina Begy, from Denver,Colorado, and Louise Kobin, of San Jose, California, crossed the finish line in 8:37.16 to keep their lead in the women's division.

The mixed leaders from yesterday, Martin and Simone Hornegger of Austria, stayed in front today finishing with a time of 7:27.13.

In the masters category, the Quebec-based Velomag team of Michel Leblanc and Gilles Morneau, 47, finished first today with a time of 7:20.05 followed by yesterday's leaders Tony Routley, 47, and Eric Crowe, 43, both of Whistler, B.C. who finished today in 7:25.32.

Tomorrow's third stage of the Transrockies Challenge promises to be easier for participants. The 140 km course from Elkford to Etherington Creek, Alberta crosses the Continental Divide into Alberta and joins up with Highway 40. Riders will climb to the highest driveable point in Canada at the 2,206 meter summit of Highwood Pass before dropping down to the Ethrington campground for the night.

Back