April 17, 2010 (Monterey, CA) – Just like the women’s short track the pro men came roaring out to the first corner only to be camping in a dusty quagmire. The lucky front men who threw down during the first rush came out unscathed – Specialized’s Todd Wells (USA) and Burry Stander (RSA) basically tucked in and hit the pedals while Geoff Kabush (CAN) Maxxis Rocky Mt. did his best to chase and bridge but to no avail against the Specialized team’s prevailing tactics.

With almost 10 Canadians beginning the race, it became evident in the first few laps that many of the field would be pulled as the Wells and Stander Specialized show would burn up the course pounding their deep red kit over the testy single-track while the rest scrambled for leftovers. Despite the lung-burning air they kicked up, Kabush initially never seemed out of contention, but after four laps even he couldn’t make a dent on the leaders.

Max Plaxton (Shoair/Specialized), who finished in 12th, turned in the second best ride for the Canucks making no mistakes around corners and maintaining his position most of the race as there were few opportunities to chase and attack.

Sunday’s cross-country race will be much more wide open with varied terrain including paved roads, fire roads and nasty grades on single tracks – expect a different day, and if it’s up to Kabush and Plaxton, it will be.