Reject - Crankworx Fat Tire Crit - Photo Recap by meagerdude

Crankworx started today with the Fat Tire Crit, held in the village next to the iconic Olympic rings. Racing was pretty straightforward: 20 minutes on the rivet, plus 3 laps for the women; 25 minutes on the rivet plus five laps for the men. Cash Primes were offered throughout the crit as incentive to go hard, plus the chase moto could cut slower racers out of the mix at any moment, so it was in the racer's benefit to stay as close to the front as possible.

Leah Guloien edging past eventual winner Jean Ann Berkenpas as the two worked the break away--the two got away mid race and stayed away until the bitter end.

Leah Guloien edging past eventual winner Jean Ann Berkenpas in the women's race as the two worked a break away--the two got away from the rest of the pack mid-race and stayed away until the bitter end.

Jean Ann Berkenpas drafting on Leah Guloien as the two worked together to keep away from the rest of the field; one rider would pull for a lap while the other rested, and then they'd swap out. The tactic allowed them to get away and stay away despite the best efforts of a disorganized chase group.

Disorganized and disheartened, the chasers were just simply unable to close the gap to the two leaders.

The final sprint in the women's race: there was just no way Leah Guloien was going to be able to come around Jean Ann Berkenpas--the win went to Berkenpas.

The men s race started somewhat sedately but with Rocky Mountain driving the pace things started to pick up.

The men's race started somewhat quietly, but with Rocky Mountain driving the pace, and the chase moto clipping slow riders, things picked up in a hurry.

Cream rising to the top: eventual winner Craig Richey driving hard for one of the race cash primes.

Spencer Paxson checking in on Craig Richey as they jockeyed for position for a prime lap.

Only 3:53 left in the race--plus five laps of pain. Spencer Paxson driving the pace.

With one lap to go, riders were looking forward to crossing the red line a final time.

Richey for the win by half a wheel length over local boy, Kris Snedden.

Fat tire crit Podium: Leah Guloien (2), Jean Ann Berkenpas (1), Chloe Cross (3).

Men's Fat Tire Crit podium: Kris Snedden (2), Craig Richey (1), Spencer Paxson (3).

Stay tuned for more action all week here in Whistler as we cover all the events that make up Crankworx 2014.

Author Info:

meagerdude

Member since Jun 8, 2010
94 articles