October 12, 2013 (Moab, Utah) – Riders from 3 countries (including 16 US states and 5 Canadian provinces) have descended on the Mountain Biking mecca of Moab, Utah for the inaugural Moab Rocks mountain bike stage race. The 3-day stage race features a combination of classic Moab routes and the spectacular new mountain bike specific singletrack trails that have been built in recent years.While the field represents a broad range of abilities, several top riders are expected to lead the charge at the front of the Moab Rocks field. Reigning U23 US National Champion Kerry Werner (BMC Development) is sure to be near the front of the field. Former TransRockies champion Jon Firth (Honey Stinger/Planet Foods/Rocky Mountain Bicycles) will be pushing hard at the end of a full season on stage racing and soon after the birth of his second child.

Breckenridge, Colorado’s Josh Tostado (Santa Cruz), will use his local knowledge as 4-time winner of the 24 Hours of Moab to his advantage. Moab Rocks takes the traditional date of the now retired 24 Hours of Moab event. Mountain Bike Hall-of-Famer and Olympian Travis Brown (Trek) will also be on-hand to keep the young guns in check.In the Women’s field local pro Heidi Rentz (Ibis-Poison Spider) will be strong, as will 24 Hour racing veteran Timari Pruis (Pivot Cycles / Kenda). Two former TransRockies Challenge champs will likely be at the front in women’s field as well: Trish Grajczyk (Deadgoat Racing) and Kate Aardal (Ridley’s Cycle).

In the masters categories, team Kraftwerk – rockthisbike.ch racers  Marco Carrer and Eva Carrer-Enz, no strangers to the podium at TransRockies challenge in recent years, will be representing Switzerland. Fan favourites and longtime fixtures at TransRockies Challenge Laurie and Dick Woodbury (White Bear Lake, MN) aren’t expected to be on the podium but can be counted on to bring big smiles and warm greetings to their trail mates.Finally, Martin Parnell will be wrapping up his season-long fundraising effort in support of the charity Right to Play. Through TransRockies Quest 888 (transrockiesquest888.com), Martin has so far raised over $30,000 supporting play opportunities in Benin, Africa. By the end of Moab Rocks, Martin will have completed over 888 kilometers in TransRockies Race Series Events. While mountain biking is not Martin’s strong suit, he is always up for a challenge in support of a good cause!

Moab Rocks kicks off tonight with a social at Swanny City Park in Moab, with free beer from Moab Brewery for participants. Stage 1 kicks off tomorrow at 9 AM.
Stage 1 Preview
Stage 1 features a 30 mile route that starts with echoes of the “Tour of Canyonlands” stage race, last held in 2004.  A road roll out along Kane Creek Road, into San Juan Country, will lead riders to the first major climb of the day up the switch-backing Hurrah Pass to spectacular views of the Colorado River below. From there it’s up the infamous Jackson’s Ladder, a section of steep scrambling up 500 vertical feet through a cleft in the vertical rock faces. Another short climb will take racers to the start of the brand new “Captain Ahab” trail. Created by Poison Spider Bicycles mechanic Tyson Swassey, the Ahab trail has instantly become one of the most popular rides around Moab, offering fantastic, fun singletrack riding to finish off the stage.  The timed descent for stage 1 is from the top of Captain Ahab to the bottom of the descent with 863 feet of nearly continuous descent.