September 26, 2006 – Over 250 racers took on the famous 70-plus kilometer long course of the Cheakamus Challenge on September 23, with Rocky Mountain-Business Objects’ Max Plaxton (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) and Alison Sydor (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) taking top honours in the Pro Men’s and Women’s categories.

Plaxton covered the distance in a speedy time of 3:08:48. Kris Sneddon (BC, Kona-Les Gets) finished second, only 4:36 behind the winner. Neal Kindree (BC Kona-Les Gets) pulled into third spot.

Sydor, who hammered out a time of 3:38:41, was fast enough not only to win the women’s race, but to place 10th overall. Trish Sinclair (BC, Scott USA-Kenda) recovered from a flat early in the race to place second, 16:22 back from Sydor. Sandra Walter (BC, X.O-Felt) grabbed the third podium spot.

The riders covered an epic mixture of singletrack, road and fire road between Squamish and Whistler on a beautiful autumn day. The route included a section of the Sea to Sky Trail through the scenic Cheakamus Canyon and challenging, rooty singletrack, such as Trash, Tunnelvision and Big Timber.

For full results, go to: http://www.cheakamuschallenge.com

Pro/Expert Men
1. Max Plaxton (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 3:08:48
2. Kris Sneddon (BC, Kona-Les Gets) at 04:36
3. Neal Kindree (BC Kona-Les Gets) 10:14
4. Andreas Hestler (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 15:21
5. Matt Bodkin (BC) 21:40
6. Chris Clark (BC) 25:05
7. Kevin Calhoun (BC Rocky Mountain-Different Bikes) 26:50
8. Ryan Edwards (BC) 28:54
9. Sven Sturm (BC, KREBS Cycling) 30:39
10. Matt Green (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 34:33

Pro/Expert Women
1. Alison Sydor (BC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 3:38:41
2. Trish Sinclair (BC, Scott USA-Kenda) at 16:22
3. Sandra Walter (BC, X.O-Felt) 26:44
4. Lesley Clements (BC) 30:56
5. Angela Sucich (WA, Voodoo) 39:29
6. Hillary Harrison (BC, Giant Bikes-Kenda) 45:31
7. Charlotte Klein (BC, Corsa Cycles) 55:38
8. Christy Love (BC, Giant-Sugoi) 57:15
9. Margie Smith (AB, Wilson Mountain Sports) 1:01:41
10. Alena Radomsky (BC, Giant Bikes) 1:19:25