California Enduro Series 2017 Round 2: Toro Enduro

Sure, Toro means bull in Spanish, but trust us, there was no BS about the Toro Enduro – round 2 of the 2017 California Enduro Series – which took place on Saturday, May 27, 2017 near Salinas. Fact is, the event – set in Toro County Park, which long ago was under the ownership of a Spanish viceroy – served up a fun day of straight up, honest racing. Race director Keith DeFiebre has been running his highly successful CCCX cycling races at Toro for 16 years, and although just in its sophomore year, it’s clear that the Toro Enduro is steeped in authenticity and experience. DeFiebre says, “I’m a racer, and love to plan routes from a racer’s perspective. It’s important to me to offer races with clearly-marked courses that all levels of racers can have fun on and be safe riding.”

To that end, the 20-mile course challenged racers with 3,200 feet of both climbing and descending on dry, loose terrain. Sweeping trails ran through exposed grassy hills and down canyons thick with Spanish moss-draped oaks, teetering at times high along stream beds lined with Jurassic-esque poison oak. Pros and experts kicked off their timed stages with the cardiovascular-taxing stages 1 and 2 while sport and beginner classes headed the other direction to tackle the steeper, more technical stages 3 and 4.

The centralized venue allowed for riders to conveniently swing through to the CES Live! timing tent to check their times and see how they were measuring up against their competitors. Teammates gathered around to compare stages, then – re-fueled with Clif and Cranked Naturals – set off together to get after the next section. The weather was a racer’s dream, cool and cloudy for much of the day, but with plenty of sunshine breaking through in the afternoon. By the time the race wrapped up, folks were enjoying sun, snacks, and swapping stories while waiting for results and podium. The overall vibe of the day was one of camaraderie and stoke; with smiles and laughter all around, it was clear the Toro Enduro was an event that riders felt great about. And that’s no bull!

View full race results here.

Essence Barton’s (VP Components) infectious smile lit up the cloudy morning as she led the way to stage 1. Barton’s enthusiasm seemed to set the tone for the day.

Blaise Janssen (The Path) sporting a few beads of sweat at the top of stage 1. He would finish the day in 2nd place, Junior Expert category.

Caro Gomez Villafañe (Scotts Valley Cycle Sport) and Ryan Gardner (Kona / DHaRCO) all smiles at the top of stage one, stoked for a day of racing.

The Santa Cruz Factory Racing team, ready to get shreddy at the top of the first stage of the day.

Just about go time with a 9am start for the pro category on stage 1.

Game face on point. Evan Geankoplis (Marin) would land in 3rd place at day’s end.

Stan Jorgensen (Scott) is all focus as he prepares to take on the day’s first stage. Jorgenson finished the day in 4th place.

Lightning fast right out of the stage 1 gate, James Eves (Bicycle Blue Book) – in his first year racing pro – was amazed by his 1st place win. He recalls, “It was very fast and dry out there, and the sand was deeper than I ever remember. I was so nervous to turn my timing chip in at the end. I felt like I had a decent day but there are so many fast guys out there that you never know. I can’t describe how it felt to win – I cannot thank Bicycle Blue Book enough for everything they do!”

Giant Co-Factory Off-Road Team junior athlete Tyler Weyman pinned in the flat section at the top of stage 1.

Brianne Spiersch (Marin) keeping uber-focused on her home turf. Spiersch says, “Toro was a fast, fun course. The trails were super loose, so my goal was to keep the rubber side down. I made a few mistakes which cost me a bit of time, but overall it was a great day and we even got the sun!” She adds, “Hopefully next year we’ll get to run some of the other super fun trails we have to offer here at Toro!” Spiersch has lived and ridden in the area for the past eight years, and currently coaches the Salinas High School mountain bike team. She also organized and led the Girls Rock “Race Curious” Toro Enduro pre-ride. The former Little Bellas mentor says, “I love getting more girls and ladies on bikes, so I try to help out all that I can.”

Matthew Koen flies past the jungle of poison oak on stage 2. Riders are grateful for Tecnu’s support this season.

Essence Barton (VP Components) takes a minute to refill her bottle between stages 2 and 3.

Max Sedlak throwing the horns on the way to his final stage of the day.

Views for years. CES co-founder and VP Components North American manager Erik Saunders (Full Factory Saunders) points the way to stage 4. That. Way.

Janea Perry (Marin) pushing up the steep transfer to the top of stage 4 …

… then flawlessly flying through the drops, all the way to the top step in the pro women category – and her first CES win. Reflecting on the course, Perry says, “Stages 1 and 2 were the most physical with long sprinting sections and even a little taste of some cyclocross, where we had to pitch a quick right-hander in the grass to a small uphill. Stages 3 and 4 were more my style of racing with higher speed sections and tighter turns.” She adds, “The event was laid back, the weather was on point, coming out with my first CES win was a major plus, and seeing my teammates Cory and Evan on the podium as well was rad!

Ian Massey smashing the pedals on stage 4’s punchy climb.

Evan Turpen getting loose in the off-camber switchbacks of stage 4.

Jackie Swider in full charge mode with the power of the Red, White and Blue at her feet.

Keith DeFiebre crushing terrain he’s been riding, racing and tending for nearly two decades producing his CCCX events. DeFiebre says, “Racing is serious business, but it is best when the courses are fun to ride. That takes hard work and love of the trail. My idea of a great event is to race hard, then chill and go over the action afterwards.” He adds, “I like the fun factor of racing and cycling.”

100% threw in to sponsor the Toro Enduro and set up shop with their sweet line of goggles.

Riders gathering around the CES Live! monitor to check their standings.

Clif took excellent care of racers as always, providing an assortment of energy food, bars and chews.

Brian Astell of TrailWorks was once again on hand to help racers get the most out of their experience. The TrailWorks pre-ride is available to participants before every race. Astell says, “My main objective is to help as many people as possible with their riding. Whether training, nutrition info, or riding technique, that’s what I’m here for.” For more information, email brian@ridetrailworks.com.

Hella Mello Racing’s Ana Pimsler and Amber Streiff congratulate each other on their solid efforts on course. Streiff, who enthusiastically embraced mountain biking a mere two years ago and is now California’s Bell Joy Ride ambassador, says, “The Toro Enduro course challenged my ability to handle loose, steep terrain and fast flowing singletrack. As a new rider it was the perfect mix of challenging while still being manageable, adding to my confidence in taking on the rest of the season.”

Janea Perry took over the lead in the pro women's series overall by snagging the top step at the Toro Enduro. This win looks really nice next to her 2nd place finish in round 1 (Mammoth Bar). Essence Barton was leading through three stages but lost it to Janea in the final stage of the day when Barton dropped her chain. Michael David Winery provided bottles of its renowned 7 Deadly Zins to all (of age!) podium winners. 1st - Janea Perry / 2nd - Essence Barton / 3rd - Zephyr Sylvester / 4th - Brianne Spiersch / 5th - Rachel Anders

James Eves has started the season off with a bang. On top of placing third behind Jared Graves and Curtis Keene at Sea Otter, James took 1st place in the pro men's class at the Toro Enduro. It was a close race all day as Eves battled it out against Cory Sullivan and Evan Geankoplis through four stages. Geankoplis had the lead by two seconds after winning stage 1. Sullivan took the stage 2 win and lead by three seconds, and retained his lead through the end of stage 3. Eves stayed close all through 3 stages and trailed Sullivan by one and a half seconds going into stage 4. He threw down the run of the day in stage 4 and beat Cory by three seconds to take the overall win. 1st - James Eves / 2nd - Cory Sullivan / 3rd - Evan Geankoplis / 4th - Stan Jorgensen / 5th - Tim Krentz

Here’s to another fantastic day of racing – high fives to all! Next up: round 3 June 17-18 – the Wild Wood Adventure Enduro in Mendocino, produced by Mendocino Bike Sprite!

Words by Michele Charboneau
Photos by Scott McClain

About California Enduro Series

CES is a for riders, by riders non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting world-class enduro events that everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy, at a geographically diverse range of venues. The series is renowned for fostering an exceptional sense of community, and encourages its participants to be involved in its planning.

The series is grateful for the support of VP Components, FOX, Clif Bar, WTB, Canyon, Kali Protectives, Michael David Winery, Cranked Naturals, Kenda Tires, DHaRCO, KMC, Adventure Sports Journal, Gamut, Voler, ESI Grips, Mike's Bikes and TrailWorks. Contact CES for information on sponsoring the 2017 series.

Check out the 2017 schedule and learn more about the series at californiaenduroseries.com.

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