Transrockies Challenge 2003 - Fifth Stage

15.08.2003 - The fifth stage of the 7-day Transrockies Challenge, shook today's finishing line up, but not enough to affect the overall standings of the toughest mountain bike race in the world that rolled into the foothills hamlet of Bragg Creek, Alberta today.

The third ranked Ontario-based team of Matthew Patterson and Greg Reain finished just one second ahead of overall leaders Andreas Strobel and Silvio Wieltschnig, in 4:52.06 after a seesaw battle that saw the Europeans passing the Canadians on the ascents but the Canadians passing the leaders on the descents throughout today's 105 km course. Strobel and Wieltschnig continue to lead the field with a cumulative time of 23:00.08 after five days.

Second place overall continues to be held by Matt Decore and Andreas Hestler of Vancouver who have a total time of 24:22.10.

Women's division leaders Christina Begy and Louise Kobin finished today first in 6:34.23, almost one hour ahead of the Canmore team of Jeanie Godfrey and Valerie Thompson who are still in second place overall with a total time of 36:48.48.

Austrians Martin and Simone Hornegger lost much of their time advantage today coming in fourth but maintain their overall lead in he mixed division with a total time of 28:35.50, just under an hour ahead of Marvin and Karen Masson from Atlanta.

The Pedal Magazine team of Paul Newitt, 39, and Nels Guloien, 48, who are eighth overall in the masters division, today edged out overall leaders Michel Leblanc, 39, and Gilles Morneau, 44, who kept their overall lead with a total time of 27:06.31.

The Transrockies Challenge continues another 71 km tomorrow to the Sandy Pine Grove Campground in Kananaskis Country. Riders will climb a total of more than 1,800 metres, on mostly single and double track trail, to Jumpingpound Ridge and nearby Cox Hill. The day will end with a fast and furious Rocky Mountain descent to the tent city at Pine Grove Campground.

The competition will finish in Canmore, Alberta on Saturday, Aug. 16 where winners in each category will share $20,000 in prize money.

Back