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Breck Epic: Stage 3, Mt Guyot

(August 24, 2010)

_{Report by Eddie Clark}

Epic conditions atop mtn passes test racers mettle.

(Aug 24, 2010) BRECKENRIDGE, Colo—The Mount Guyot stage of the Breck Epic served up epic conditions on one of the biggest stages for the third day of racing, which featured 9600 feet of climbing over 44 miles.  Racers rolled out under another neutral start out of Breckenridge up and down Humbig Hill, and then up Little French Gulch for a 1500 foot climb up to French Pass at just over 12000 feet in elevation.  On French Pass, gale force winds, mist, rain, and temperatures in the low 40’s battered oxygen deprived racers before a fun downhill section that led them up to Georgia Pass where conditions were even worse.

Shaylyn Ranoa of southern California and her teammate Heather Gates racing as the only open women’s duo team had a good day.  “This race is just amazing, the weather was formidable today, but the course was great”, said Ranoa at the evenings awards ceremony.

Leading the competitive men’s solo 50+ class, Russell Kappius had another good day on the bike to bolster his lead, and also had an added bonus of having his son Brady show up to accompany him over the days passes.  “It was nice to have Brady out with me today, it gets lonely out there.  I’ve had a clean race and no mechanicals so far, and am looking forwards the new course tomorrow”, said Kappius during his 2 minute race recap.

The main change on the leader board was the swapping of first and second in the open men’s race between Cannondale teammates Jeremiah Bishop and Alex Grant.  Once again the duo dropped their competition in the races latter climbs, and Bishop eeked out the stage win over his Grant for the win and race lead.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more coverage of the Breck Epic queen stage on the Aqueduct Loop.   

More photos here.

Josh Tostado animated the climb out of Little French Gulch.	Pua Sawicki stamps her dominance by riding one of the steepest pitches on the French Pass climb.	Breck Epic veteran and 50+ men's solo leader Russel Kappius powers his way through the clouds to French Pass.
A Jamis racer finally makes it to the top of French Pass in less than ideal conditions.	Coed Duo Katie Lindquist of Erikson Bikes slods her way up French Pass.	Space Cowgirl team rider Sarah Uhl leans into it to get up the incredibly steep climb to French PAss.
Solo men's 40+ racer Geoff Clark of Team Dead Goat closes in on his last climb up Humbug Hill.	Elevation Racings coed duo are oh so close to the days finish line.	Sleeping dogs are left to lie in the race pits where mechanics mend and patch the abuse inflicted on racers mountain bikes.
Racers talk about the days highs and lows over catered dinner after the days race recap.

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