May 27, 2008 (Stony Plain, Alberta) – Over a hundred of Alberta’s finest mountain bikers gathered for the tenth year of the showdown at Stony Plain, otherwise known as the Super Fun, All You Can Eat, Buffet of Bacon, Pain and Suffering. Held on the trails that twist their way around Fern and Harvey’s mountain bike farm, the Bacon Buffet is known for its fast course which challenges riders both physically and mentally.

The highlight of the course is an 80 metre climb nick-named Houfalize. Much like its name sake in Belgium, the Houfalize climb in Stony Plain is a straight shot up the side of a steep hill where spectators gather to support their favourite rider as they grit their teeth and put their legs to the test.

Joining in on the festivities this year was avid mountain biker and Rogers Sportsnet Commentator Jamie Thomas, who entertained fans as he interviewed riders struggling up the hill. Joined on the microphone by race organizers Evan Sherman and Mike Sarnecki, there was no shortage of commentary and jeering.

Alberta Mountain Bike Coordinator Roddi Lega was on hand at the top of the climb to ensure that riders received an ample amount of bacon as they passed through the feed zone. Lega commented “In all my years of racing, I’ve found that body performs better when it you replenish it with the nutrients you sweat out during hard riding, my secret was never fancy power gels and performance drinks, but a couple of strips of bacon in the jersey pocket; its all the sodium you’ll ever need.” While Lega’s nutritional advice may be suspect, his enthusiasm wasn’t and riders were seen grabbing for their bottles with strips of bacon still hanging from their mouth.

The racing got underway in the morning under the threat of rain as the first two waves of riders, consisting of the Sport, Novice and Youth battled hard for wins and upgrade points. Fortunately the rain never materialized and when the elite riders took to the course in the afternoon they did so under Sunny skies and light winds.

In the men’s race, the riders went hard from the gun, with Jon Nutbrown (Ridley’s Cycle) taking the holeshot and jumping out to the early lead. Right on his tail was the winner of the second stop of the ABA MTB series, Tim Heemskerk (United Cycle) and the series leader Shawn Bunnin (Bicisport). By the first lap Heemskerk had caught and passed Nutbrown and established a comfortable lead. Nutbrown and Bunnin rode worked well together less then a minute back. Coming all the way from dead last after the start to sit comfortably in forth was Andre Sutton (Hardcore Bikes). This is the way the race would stay for the better part of the remaining four laps. Heemskerk never relinquished the lead and at one point even managed to give a shout-on-the-bike interview while ascending the Houffalize climb.

Entering into the final lap, the early efforts were beginning to take their toll and Nutbrown began to fall off the pace. Heemskerk retained a comfortable lead but Bunnin looked to be pulling closer. As Heemskerk came out of the forest to climb Houffalize for the final time the crowd looked to see how far back Bunnin would be, and to everyone’s surprise it wasn’t Bunnin but Andre Sutton who emerged from the woods in second. Sutton flew up the final climb as if it was the first time he rode it that day and charged hard for the line, finishing only 24 seconds behind Heemskerk. Less than a minute later Bunnin would cross the line in third.

Following the race, Heemskerk commented that his strategy was to work hard enough to keep a comfortable gap over second and to make sure he kept an eye on Bunnin throughout the race. When Heemskerk looked back on the final lap and saw Sutton charging hard, he knew he really had to step on it. Bunnin had to finish second or better to keep the series lead and it was only in the final lap that his efforts began to show and Sutton was able to cap an amazing performance which saw him go from last place to almost taking the win.

In the women’s race Pepper Harlton (Juventus/RVC/Kona) took the lead from the start and never looked back. Following the race, Harlton commented that she’d been battling food poisoning all week and during the ladder half of the race it was all she could do to finish. Krysten Ong (Juventus/RVC/Kona) benefited from Harlton’s misfortunes and was able to claw back time in the final two laps, but couldn’t bring it back quite quick enough – Ong rolled across the line 31 seconds back.

After two stops in the Greater Edmonton area, the Alberta Mountain Bike series heads south once more with a stop in Canmore for the Iron Lung XC in two weeks time. The Iron Lung will also see two new riders sporting the ABA leader plates as Bunnin’s third place finish saw Heemskerk take the series lead. Harlton’s win was good enough to take over the series lead from Mical Dyck who chose to contest the Mount Tremblant Canada Cup this weekend.

Elite Men
1. Tim Heemskerk (United Cycle Racing) 1:57:10
2. Andre Sutton (Hardcore Cycling Club) at 0:24
3. Shawn Bunnin (Bicisport) 1:21
4. Mike Bidniak (Juventus) 7:13
5. Craig Stappler 7:43
6. Cory Wallace (Freeskool) 7:49
7. Steve Martins (Hardcore CC) 10:41
8. Jon Nutbrown (Ridley’s Cycle) 12:29
9. Cameron Mcknight (ERTC-Revolution Cycle) 17:58
10. Bruce Penner (United Cycle Racing) 19:35
11. Brian Robinson (CMC/Bow Cycle) 20:29

Elite Women
1. Pepper Harlton 2:01:14
2. Krystyn Ong (Juventus) 2:01:45