October 14, 2013 (Moab, Utah) – The inaugural Moab Rocks stage race rolled out under sunny skies from the City of Moab this morning escorted by local police along Kane Springs Road into the red cliffs of the Canyonlands. The pack rode at a neutralized pace until tires hit dirt. Then the racing started in earnest with sustained speeds of up to 30 mph on the dirt road at the front of the pack, while the rest of the field took in some spectacular views as the morning light illuminated the cliffs lining the course.
After the first major climb of the day, up and over Hurrah Pass, riders hit the infamous Jackson’s Ladder, a section where they were obliged to carry their bikes up a steep boulder strewn gap in the vertical cliff face. The leaders navigated this section on foot in a surprisingly fast time of 7 minutes, while later riders took significantly longer as they struggled over the large rocks. From the top of the ladder, only a short section of climbing brought riders to the start of the timed descent stage on the Captain Ahab Trail.
For the overall cross country standings, the first rider across the line was Russell Finsterwald (Trek Factory Racing) of Colorado Springs with a time of 2:06:18, followed by two other Colorado pros, Josh Tostado (Santa Cruz, Maxxis, Shimano) and Travis Brown (Trek).
The Open Women’s Category represented the dual origins of Moab Rocks with two former TransRockies Challenge champions and one local Moab rider in the top 3. Taking top spot was Kate Aardal (Ridley’s Cycle) with a time of 2:29:17. Heidi Rentz (Ibis-Poison Spider) of Moab was second with a time of 2:34:12 and Trish Grajzcyk (Deadgoat Racing) from Calgary was third at 2:44:16.
In the 40+ Men’s Category it was Moab’s own Mark Sevenoff (Western Spirit) taking the win with a time of 2:20:28. Two Arizona riders rounded out the podium with Erik Keniston (Singletrack Bikes) in second and Kip Moyer (Flagstaff in 3rd). In the 40+ Women’s category it was another former TransRockies Challenge champion Margie Smith (Wilson Mountain Sports) in the lead with a time of 2:50:39, followed by Calgary’s Trish Mayer who was second despite going off course for 45 minutes after missing a turn while admiring the view! Atlanta’s Jennifer Horn (Peachtree Bikes) was third.
The 50+ Men’s category saw Golden, CO’s Mark Wallace (Pedal Pushers Cyclery) over TransRockies veteran Alec Petro (Corner Cycle) and Basalt, Colorado’s Mike Armstrong (Xccentials/Basalt Bike & Ski).
Although not a true enduro, Moab Rocks offers a taste enduro by offering separate timing for a segment of downhill riding on each stage. Racers can challenge the timed descents for bragging rights as the best downhiller! For Stage 1, the descent winners were the same as the overall winners in all categories. In the open men’s category, Russell Finsterwald took the top time with an incredible 17 minutes and 11 seconds, 55 seconds faster than the next faster rider, Josh Tostado. In the Open Women’s Category, it was overall winner Kate Aardal with a margin of over 2 minutes. The 40+ categories also had the same winners as the overall stage: Margie Smith in 40+ Women (26:18) and Mark Sevenoff in 40+ Men (21:07). In the 50+ Men’s category it was Mark Wallace with the fastest time of 21:16.
Stage 2
Stage 2 took riders up high into the Manti LaSal National Forest to an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet, almost 4,000 feet higher than the start in downtown Moab. The long road climb from town, the longest climb in this year’s Moab Rocks, was punishing for most riders but an early 8 AM start meant pleasantly cool temperatures under brilliant sunny skies. The length and intensity of the climb pushed some riders onto lower travel machines, making the descents all the more challenging. Of course, the suffering on the climb was well rewarded with one of the most popular downhill rides in the area serving as today’s timed descent.
At the front of the field a U23 rider was again at the front of the pack, but this time it was Kerry Werner Jr. (BMC Development) taking the win over stage 1 winner Russell Finsterwald (Trek Factory) with a time of 2:16:28. The two finished together and took the fastest times for the descent as well as the stage with Werner taking the fastest time of the day at 47:11. Breckenridge’s Josh Tostado (Santa Cruz) took 3rd place. Finsterwald hangs onto the leaders plate for Open Men.
In the Open Women’s category it was again Kate Aardal (Ridley’s) winning with a time of 2:42:18 and Heidi Rentz (Ibis – Poison Spider) in second. Moab local Rentz took the fastest downhill time for the category. Fort Lauderdale’s Jennifer Moos (Rose Bandits) moved onto the podium in third.
The 40+ Women’s category again saw Margie Smith (Wilson Mtn. Sports) take the win, followed by Jennifer Horn (Peachtree Bikes) and Trish Mayer. In the 40+ Men’s Category Mark Sevenoff (Western Spirit) repeated his stage 1 win over Erik Keniston (Single Track Bikes). Mark Logan (Cadence Brand Marketing) moved into third place on the podium.
50+ Men also saw the same top two positions with Mark Wallace (Pedal Pushers Cyclery) taking the win followed by Alec Petro (Corner Cycle). A new third place finisher today was Tom Arnold (Fast Friday). Wallace also took the fastest descent time in the category.
Stage 3 Preview
Monday’s final stage will be a great chance for the best bike handlers to shine as it features the least road and the most singletrack of the 3-day stage race. Riders will celebrate Columbus Day (and Canadian Thanksgiving) with a ride on the “Magnificent 7” or Mag 7 area around the Gemini Bridges jeep road. The course starts with a climb and descent on the Gemini Bridges road before starting into singletrack climbing with Arth’s Corner, Getaway and topping out with 7-Up at 5,800′. The descent stage starts with the Bull Run singletrack on and off slickrock sections. A short jump out onto the Gemini Bridges road will take riders back into singletrack for the Great Escape trail, with a total of 9 miles of descent. At that point, it’s back onto the road for a quick climb up and then down to the finish of Stage 3 and the wrap up dinner at Bar M Chuckwagon.