June 12, 2006 – This is a report filed by Paul Skilbeck, Danny Chew and Allen Larsen from the front of the Race Across America at approximately 7:30 p.m. PST/10:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 11:

There have been a wide range of tactics employed by the Solo Enduro riders as they try to figure out the optimal way to conquer the newest division in the Race Across America.

A group of four riders — Jure Robic, Marko Baloh, Jonathan Boyer, and Valentin Zeller — got away on the first good climb of the race, though from here these solo riders took different tacks.

Two-time defending champ Jure Robic threw down the gauntlet and began pushing the early pace by jumping out to a lead through Time Station 2.

However, Robic incurred a 15-minute penalty when he and crew stopped on the Interstate, and while not assessed until the end of the race, fellow countryman Marko Baloh caught up to Robic by Time Station 3 and now holds a slight lead.

1985 RAAM winner Jonathan Boyer decided to follow his pre-race plan of resting early and he amassed an 83-minute sleep at Time Station 3, Chiriaco Summit.

Kenny Souza was noted to be riding comfortably and well within his zone, conserving energy for later in the race… and knowing that those in front, particularly Robic, will have to take mandatory rest at some point.

Rookie Tinker Juarez stayed with the leaders for a while but was not riding in his aero bars as much as the other riders and was having trouble with the height of his seat, causing him to take a four-minute rest at an Enduro Time Station — which will count towards his mandated 40 hours.

Towards Time Station 4 in Blythe, CA, today’s exceedingly high temperatures (topping out at 106 degrees) started to take their toll. Valentin Zeller fainted from dehydration and his team was tending to him at the time of this report. Also seen vomiting on the road’s shoulder was Gerhard Gulewicz, a Solo Traditional rider.

Team Beat Cancer, a 24-hour team had a 35-minute lead on the Enduro field at Time Station 3 and early ‘s peed watch’ has them near or better than the pace of 24-Hour record-holder team, Clif Bar (RAAM 2005).