January 21, 2009 (Vancouver BC) – The BC Bike Race – The Ultimate Singletrack Experience is proud to announce the return of Kris Sneddon and Barry Wicks of team Kona, the 2008 winners. The BC Bike Race is proud to have Barry and Kris back, these two exceptional athletes will defend their title beginning June 28 and finishing July 4. They have confirmed their participation and their goal of victory for the 2009 BC Bike Race.

When contacted about the upcoming season Kris Sneddon stated flat out, “The BC Bike Race was one of the best events of my career and win or lose I’m going back to rock those trails!” Kris is originally from the Sunshine Coast, the host for days 4 and 5 at the 2008 race. “Having a local boy take the lead and hold it was not planned but what a great surprise,” announced Dean Payne as the two mounted the final podium.

Last year’s victory was anything but easy as the field was stacked with Olympians, champions, and many qualified riders. The BC Bike Race title was hotly contested in its second year featuring a see-saw battle between 2007 winners Trek, (Chris Eatough, Jeff Shalk), team Cannodale Mona Vie (Jason Sager and Bart Gilliespie) winners of stage one in 2008, and the eventual 2008 victors Team Kona (Kris Sneddon, Barry Wicks). Spectators were dished up some nail-biting excitement. Other notables in the field included Chris Shepherd and Seamus McGrath who ran into mechanicals on stage one forcing them out of contention and Rocky Mountain’s team of Andreas Hestler and Max Plaxton.

Last year’s winning combination of Canadian Kris Sneddon and American Barry Wicks, was unbeatable and they demonstrated great class as they teamed up to win the 2008 BC Bike Race. “It’s at events like this that you want to know who’s in your corner,” said Kona team manager Smiley Nesbitt.

This year’s BC Bike Race is ticking slowly towards being sold out and it also looks like there will be more singletrack for 2009 as the ‘best bike race in the world’ rolls forward.

www.bcbikerace.com