April 18, 2018 – The 3rd and final day of Moab Rocks was as exhilarating as it was exhausting. After two days of physical XC racing, most racers woke up tired; their bodies aching. The Stage 3 course wasn’t going to provide any relief as it was just as challenging and demanding as the previous two days. At 8:30 AM the shot went off and competitors headed out toward the Magnificent 7 trails.

The starting pace was mellower due to a stiff headwind on the road. The final stage is the day to finalize positions with most people looking to push hard to try and move up. The lead men waited until off of the first flat road and onto the steep climb to make their attack. From there everyone spread out, pushing as hard as they could up the first 500′ climb. Next was a loose quick dirt road descent followed by a fast flat road before climbing back up again.

After the first 6 miles of dirt road; the course veered onto the Getaway singletrack, a moderately technical climb with some flowy dirt single track. It was a six mile climb up Getaway and then everyone was rewarded with the screaming descent; Bull Run. It’s rocky, it’s fast and it makes the climb worth it. The descending continued after Bull Run with more rocky, adrenaline-charged trail on Great Escape.

After descending what felt like forever, the course turned back on Gemini Bridges road where riders climbed up and over the 500′ hill before sprinting down to the finish.  Today’s course was a tough 2500′ of climbing over 28 miles. Almost all of the climbing takes place in the first 15 miles making the rest of the course pure joy.  If you haven’t fallen in love with the trails in Moab yet, Stage 3 today left riders smiling ear to ear.  Moab Rocks encompasses three very different trail systems, each with their own unique challenges and rewards.  It’s a perfect start to the race season as you’re sure to leave Moab tired and sore, with memories and experiences you won’t forget.