The
Clear Directional Drilling Solutions Stage 1 of the inaugural Singletrack 6 kicked things off in a huge way with 40km of classic Kananaskis Country riding. In what may be the most physically demanding stage of the event, the riders lucked out with perfect riding conditions. Weather in this neck of the woods is always a question mark with snow possible even in the summer months. Today there were nothing but blue skies!
West Bragg Creek start.
A 9AM start sent the field out on a 5km climb to the Ridgeback trailhead. The leaders dropped into the singletrack, heading southeast toward the longest climb of the day. Covering 7km and 400 metres of elevation gain, the Sulphur Springs and Pneuma trails ascend to the highest point on the course at roughly 1866 metres. Waiting at the top was the timed descent on Race of Spades.
Airtime on the Race of Spades timed descent.
Technical and packed full of man-made obstacles, Race of Spades tested the skills of each and every rider. Drops, bridges, and gap jumps were available for the highly experienced with options to ride around for those who preferred to hone their DH skills another day. On the first of four timed descents for the week, Shane Kroeger of Stages 4 and 5 host community Golden, bested all comers among the men descending in 5:45.8. Mical Dyck was top among the ladies in a time of 6:18.8.
That was a great stage!
With two thirds of the race complete the riders took on one final climb, traversing the recently completed Bobcat, before a descent into the finish in West Bragg Creek. The fastest performance of the day was turned in by Team Kona rider Kris Sneddon who covered the 40km course in 2:20:43, a mere 4.2 seconds in front of teammate Cory Wallace. The ladies were bested by Kate Aardal who set herself up nicely for the week with a 5 minute 51 second win among the solo ladies in a time of 2:47:38.
For full results click
HERE. More images
HERE.
Congrats to the winners of the Clear Directional Drilling Solutions Stage 1:
Team Category
Riders
Open Men - Jonathan Firth & Dax Maxey
Open Women - Mindy Mullikan & Karen Tremaine
Open Mixed - Anja McDonald & Tristan Rawlence
80+ Men - Kris Henderieckx & Kris Hertsens
80+ Mixed - Alana Heise & Jeff Neilsen
100+ Open - Henric Meldgard & Keith Simmonds
Solo Riders
Open Men - Kris Sneddon
Open Women - Kate Aardal
40+ Men - Leighton Poidevin
50+ Men - Rich Marshall
Timed Descent Riders
Male - Shane Kroeger
Female - Mical Dyck
Next up? The Scat Belt Stage 2 at Nipika Mountain Resort and the Cross River Canyon Recreation Area welcomes us to beautiful British Columbia. Stage 2 will start at 10:30AM and feature 38km and 1100 metres of elevation gain on trail built and maintained by the resort owners, local trail groups and riders.
Be sure to visit
singletrack6.com daily for reports.