Pedal caught up with Evan McNeely for his take on today’s race…
Racing at 7,000 ft above sea level is a little interesting. Even if you prepare for the altitude, it’s hard to gauge your effort, making it easy to go too hard too early. It was quite hot out today and I got burned through my sunscreen. The dry conditions were very dusty, on the first descent I could barley even see the rocks there was so much dust.
Lots of rocks riddled the fast descents and the course also featured long gradual climbs. A Specialized 29er with Renegade tires, at a little higher pressure than usual to counter flights, was the set-up of choice. The race start was very fast and I found myself working back up thru the field in the second part of the first lap. Got tacked onto the back of the chase group and was fighting for 2nd and 3rd but faded back on the last lap and finished 4th.
Results (brief)
U23 Men
1. Russel Finsterwald (USA) 1:17:15
2. Diyer Rincon (Col) 0:55
3. Kerry Werner (USA) 1:06
4. Evan McNeely (Can) 1:32
5. Evan Guthrie (Can) 2:09
12. Antoine Caron (Can) 4:15
13. Leandre Bouchard (Can) 4:17
16. Jeremy Martin (Can) 5:19
29. Mitchell Bailey (Can) 10:02
U23 Women
1. Raiza Goulao (Bra) 1:12:26
2. Laura Abril (Col) 0:38
3. Inés Gutiérrez (Arg) 1:07
5. Laura Bietola (Can) 6:19
9. Andréanne Pichette (Can) 8:28
Elite Women
1. Daniela Campuzano (Mex)
2. Agustina Apaza (Arg)
3. Laura Morfin (Mex)
Elite Men
1. Todd Wells (USA)
2. Andrés Soto Catriel (Arg)
3. Rubens Valeriano (Bra)