April 15, 2003 – Canada's MTB racers fared excellently at the Sea Otter Classic held this past weekend near the Laguna Seca raceway. Staged in conjunction with the Sea Otter road races, the Classic was an incredible display of North America's, and the World's best MTB'ers and road racers, all racing within close proximity.
Canada's Roland Green (Trek/VW) was impressive, leading a top-three Canadian G.C. sweep as he won the men's 36 mile cross-country, the short-track, and the 8K MTB Time trial. With the wins, Green took the overall as well. Canadian star, Ryder Hesjedal (Subaru/Gary Fisher), was also ever-present, finishing in the top-five of each event, save the dirt crit. Ultimately, it was a 1-2-3 sweep for Canada in the XC overall, with Green winning, followed by Hesjedal and then Geoff Kabush (Kona). Mathieu Toulouse (Gears Racing) finished a solid fifth.
The women's race saw former world champion Alison Dunlap (Luna) take the overall, followed by Switzerland's Barb Blatter (Specialized). Blatter made a late charge on the overall G.C. when she challenged Dunlap throughout the final XC race. However, Dunlap had Blatter marked, and although the Swiss rider beat the American in the final event, it was only by a second. Canada's Melanie McQuaid (Ford Outfitters) and Chrissy Redden (Subaru/Gary Fisher) rode well throughout, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively overall. Vancouver's Alison Sydor (Trek/Volkswagen) had a tough final stage, finishing 13th, ending up 14th overall.
In the downhill, Mike King (Haro/Lee Dungarees) won a close race over France's Cedric Garcia (Siemen's/Cannondale) and Australia's Mike Hannah (Haro/Lee Dungarees). Canada's Dustin Adams (Giant) finished 20th. The women's downhill was claimed by Brit Tracy Mosely (Kona) who put nearly six seconds into Australia's Tai-Lee Muxlow (Tioga-Orange) and Marla Streb (Luna).
Final G.C. Men
1. Roland Green (Trek-Volkswagen) 3:33:04
2. Ryder Hesjedal (Subaru-Gary Fisher) at 1:06
3. Geoff Kabush (Kona) 1:19
4. Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower)2:16
5. Mathieu Toulouse (Gears Racing) 3:26
6. Julien Absalon (Motorex Bianchi) 4:33
7. Florian Vogel (Swisspower) 5:05
8. Jose Antonio Hermida (Motorex Bianchi) 5:10
9. Jose Bonilla (Costa Rica) 5:35
10. Chris Sheppard (Team Haro Lee Dungarees) s.t.
Final G.C. Women
1. Alison Dunlap /Luna Women's Mtb Team, 4:12:12
2. Barbara Blatter /Specialized, at 0:37
3. Mary McConneloug / Seven Cycles, 3:42
4. Melanie McQuaid / Ford Outfitters, 3:54
5. Kerry Barnholt / Sobe Cannondale, 4:28
6. Chrissy Redden /Subaru/Gary Fisher, 4:29
7. Willow Koerber / Rlx Polo Sport, 4:50
8. Dara Marks /Sobe/Cannondale, 5:07
9. Rhonda Quick /Trek/Clif Bar, 5:27
10. Susan Haywood / Trek-Volkswagen, 6:05
Downhill Men:
1. Mike King /Haro/Lee Dungarees, 2:33.45
2. Cedric Gracia /Siemens/Cannondale, 2:33.64
3. Mick Hannah /Haro/Lee Dungarees, 2:33.86
4. Eric Carter / Hyundai/Mongoose, 2:35.20
5. Colin Bailey /Maxxis Tires, 2:36.08
6. Dave Langford /Intense/Fox, 2:36.54
7. Jared Graves / Iron Horse, 2:37.31
8. John Kirkcaldie / Maxxis Tires, 2:37.37
9. Greg Minnaar /Haro/Lee Dungarees, 2:37.85
10. Wade Bootes /Trek-Volkswagen, 2:37.99
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20. Dustin Adams /Giant, 2:41.84
Downhill Women:
1. Tracy Moseley /Kona Clarks, 2:52.46
2. Tai-Lee Muxlow / Tioga Orange, 2:58.89
3. Marla Streb / Luna Women, 2:58.91
4. Lisa Sher /Chumba Wumba, 3:00.42
5. Leigh Donovan /3:02.37
6. Mio Suemasa /Trek-Volkswagen, 3:02.87
7. Katie Compton / CTS, 3:03.81
8. Michelle Rivera /Lenzsport, 3:04.28
9. Tara Llanes /Giant, 3:07.09
10. Gale Dahlager /3:07.29