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While the international scene was in Albstadt for the UCI XCO World Cup, the domestic mountain bike scene was in Grand Junction, Colorado for the second of the four Epic Rides Off-Road races.

The four-race series that culminates with the Oz Trails Off-Road in the land of the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships kicked off in April at the Whiskey Off-Road in Arizona.

The Epic Rides Off-Road series is one of the fastest growing cycling series in the U.S. thanks to a format that features a backcountry race for amateurs of all levels, and a 40-50 mile backcountry and fat tire crit for pros. The fat tire crits take place on Friday evening of the race weekend and the backcountry events on Sunday.

The Epic Rides series has sought to build a party-like atmosphere at the events, and not surprisingly, the Grand Junction event coincided with the Four Peaks Downtown Music Festival.

The 40 Grand route the pros rode totaled 43 miles in distance with nearly 6,000 feet of climbing. Like many of the backcountry routes used in the series, the race started with a climb, and then after a descent, riders faced a second 1,500-foot climb. The race website described the track:

All participants will climb their way out of downtown Grand Junction onto the Uncompahgre Plateau, while connecting some of the area’s favorite technically challenging singletrack, double track, gravel roads and the occasional paved segment in the world famous Lunch Loops trail system and beyond.

Fat Tire Crit Results

The weekend’s festivities kicked off with Friday evening’s Fat Tire Crit. For the Fat Tire Crit, riders are required to race on the mountain bike they will race on Sunday with tires 38mm or wider.

Katerina Nash (Clif Pro Team) continued her impressive start to the Epic Rides series with a win in the Fat Tire Crit. Sofia Gomez Villafane (Stan’s – Pivot Pro Team) finished second and Kaysee Armstrong (Liv Cycling) third.

Kaitie Keough (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) made the trip over from Colorado Springs and took fourth in the Crit. Hannah Finchamp (Clif Pro Team) took 6th, Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) 8th, Courtenay McFadden (Pivot Cycles/Maxxis p/b Stan’s/DNA Cycling) 15th, Rebecca Gross (KSH Bicycles – Voler – Kenda) 22nd and last weekend’s Bear 100 gravel race winner Leia Rollins 26th.

In the Men’s race, Geoff Kabush (Yeti – Maxxis – Shimano) took the Fat Tire Crit win. Land Run 100 winner Payson McElveen took second and Bryan Lewis (Cutaway, USA) third.

Stephan Davoust (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) finished 5th, Brannan Fix (Alpha Bicycle – Groove Subaru) 7th, Gosse van der Meer (Kali – Fox – Evoc – Bombtrack – Hunt – Ritchey – Ride 100% – Northwave) 14th, Fernando Riveros (CZRacing) 15th, Henry Nadell (CZRacing) 21st, Brian Matter (Linear Sport Racing) 22nd, Carl Decker (Giant Factory Off-Road) 25th, Grant Ellwood (Pivot Cycles/Maxxis p/b Stan’s NoTubes) 30th, Drew Dillman (SDG – Muscle Monster) 32nd, Scott Funston (Hold Fast Project) 34th, Justin Lindine (Apex / Hyperthreads) 53rd and Zach Calton (Summit National Team) 56th.

Full Fat Tire Crit results are at the bottom of this post.

Backcountry Race Results

When Sunday’s Backcountry race rolled around, one could argue more than just the equal cash payouts were on the line, with riders vying for spots in the most important power rankings in cycling, the MTB Heat Check Power Rankings.

Nash made it a good weekend on the bike by sweeping the weekend in Sunday’s Backcountry race. Nash finished 5 minutes ahead of runner-up Alexis Skarda (Sprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB). Gomez Villafane continued her strong riding with a third-place finish.

Anthony finished 7th, Finchamp 8th, Keough 10th and Gross 22nd.

Russell Finsterwald (Clif Pro Team) took the Pro Men’s Backcountry win. Kabush wrapped up a strong weekend with a second-place finish and Davoust took third.

Riveros finished 5th, Calton 9th, Nadell 11th, Ellwood 24th, Lindine 26th, Dillman 29th, Fix 30th, Matter 31st, Van der Meer 38th and Funston 60th.

Full Backcountry results are below.

Next up for the Epic Rides Off-Road Series is the Carson City Off-Road the weekend of June 26-28. The next ProXCT race on the domestic schedule is the Missoula XCS the weekend of June 6-9. XCO Nationals are July 23-28 in Winter Park, Colorado.

Featured image: Dave Mable

Pro Women's Results: 2019 Grand Junction Fat Tire Crit

PlaceFirstLastCityState/ProvinceSponsors
1KaterinaNashTruckeeCAClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2SofiaGomez VillafaneHeber CityUTStan's-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
3KayseeArmstrongNewbury ParkCALIV Cycling
4KaitlinKeoughColorado SpringsCOCannondale
5AlexisSkardaGrand JunctionCOSprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB
6HannahFinchampKennewickWAClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
7AmyChandosFlagstaffAZCZracing
8CrystalAnthonyNewbury ParkCALIV Cycling
9KellyCatalePepperellMAConnect / Seven Cycles
10RoseGrantColumbia FallsMTStan's-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
11EvelynDongHeber CityUTSpry Cycles, Stans NoTubes
12LaurenKomanskiSalt Lake CityUTPauls Cycling and Fitness
13NikkiPetersonIdyllwildCAKS Kenda Womens Elite MTB
14AndreaDvorakCharlottesvilleVACutaway
15CourtenayMcfaddenBellinghamWAPivot Cycles, Maxxis Tires, Stans NoTubes
16LaurenHallCortezCOVelocio
17AmyBeiselColorado SpringsCOKenda tire/LEM helmets/ASSOS
18KarenJarchowEagleCOTopeak, Ergon, Canyon
19SarahKaufmannSalt Lake CityUTDNA Pro Cycling Team
20EllenCampbellDurangoCOBear Pro Team p/b Trek
21JenniferSmithGunnisonCOKenda Cannondale Stans Notubes Magura
22RebeccaGrossGoldenCOKHS Bicycles Voler Kenda
23LydiaTannerBoulderCOn/a
24AshleyCarelockDoloresCOAmy D Foundation
25NicoleTittensorAxtellUTJans/Scott
26LeiaSchneebergerDe PereWIBroken Spoke Bikes, Hammer Nutrition, Princeton Club
27LauraLeatonDenverCOALP Cycles Racing
28ErinOsborneFlagstaffAZFlagstaff Bicycle Revolution/HawthorneMD
29SiennaLeger RedelPark CityUTCannondale, Mavic, POC, Vittoria, Hyper Threads, Togs
30AndiZoltonEdmondsWARoam Bike Fest
31SparkyMoir SearsFruitaCOPivot, MRP, Ergon, ENVE, BikeFlights

Pro Men's Results: 2019 Grand Junction Fat Tire Crit

PlaceFirstLastCityState/ProvinceSponsors
1GeoffKabushSquamishBCYeti, Maxxis, Shimano, Fox, Stans NoTubes, GU
2PaysonMcelveenDurangoCOOrange Seal Off-road Team
3BryanLewisCharlottesvilleVACutaway, USA
4TristanUhlNewburyCAGiant Factory Off-Road
5StephanDavoustNewburry ParkCAGiant Factory Off-Road
6JakeYackleCarson CityNVFSA, Shimano, Primal Wear, Orange Seal, Panaracer, KHS, Clif Bar, Kali Protectives
7BrannanFixGrand JunctionCOAlpha Bicycle Co.-Groove Subaru
8GarrettGercharBoulderCOTHG Ent.
9TaylorSheldenBreckenridgeCOTokyo Joes - Scott
10AlecPasqualinaBoulderCOSET Coaching/ Arlberg Sports/ Pivot Cycles
11AlexeyVermeulenPinckneyMIBianchi, Shimano, Carhartt, Q+M, Enve, ESI grips
12BrysonPerryDraperUTRouleur Devo
13AlexGrantSalt Lake CityUTCannondale, ENVE Composites, Hyperthreads, and Gear Rush
14GosseVan Der MeerKranenburgKali Protectives, Fox, Evoc, Bombtrack, Hunt, Ritchey, Ride100%, Northwave
15FernandoRiverosAustinTXCZracing
16SamuelElsonBreezy PointMNMuddy Bikes Mn
17KyleTrudeauTucsonAZCZracing
18GeorwillPerez RomanPrescott, AzAZTrekPuertoRicoRacing
19AndersJohnsonHuntsvilleUTRouleur Devo p/b DNA
20LiamEarlGrand JunctionCOClif Bar, Niner Bikes, DT Swiss
21HenryNadellCarbondaleCOCZracing
22BrianMatterPrescottAZLinear Sport Racing, Trek, Shimano, Clif Bar
23BenSonntagDurangoCOClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
24RussellFinsterwaldColorado SpringsCOClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
25CarlDeckerBendORGiant Factory Off-Road
26RyanStandishAlice SpringsNTSummit Bike Club, Cannondale, Hyper Threads
27EliKranefussMill ValleyCABear Pro Team, Trek, Castelli, Fox, Oakley, Maxxis
28PeteKarinenCalumetMIBroken Spoke Racing
29FelixBurkeMont-tremblantQCRocky Mountain Factory Team
30GrantEllwoodBoulderCOPivot Maxxis PB Stan’s NoTubes
31MikeSampsonWoody CreekNHHub of Aspen, The Feed, Stephen Davoust
32AndrewDillmanFairdaleKYSDG - Muscle Monster
33KahloChitraroffGrand JunctionCOImperium
34ScottFunstonGrand JunctionCOHold Fast Project
35OliverZurbrueggLauterbrunnenBEBiXS Pro Team
36QuinnMobergGaribaldi HighlandsBCRocky Mountain Factory Team
37JustinMartinColorado SpringsCOSpecialized bikes, Amphuman, Biketogs, Sevenpoints CBD, orangesealed
38DavidKrimstockCarbondaleCOShimano MTB/Pearl Izumi/Pivot Cycles/Maxxis/First Endurance
39LucasRowtonDurangoCOPremium Progression / Montrose Bike Shop
40SamVickeryDurangoCOMyth Cycles
41CobeFreeburnDurangoCOSpecialized, DNA Cycling
42KeiranEagenDurangoCOScott, Voler Apparel, 2nd Avenue Sports, Abode Health Care
43IsaacNagel-briceBoulderCOTokyo Joes MTB Team
44CooperWiensDurangoCOTeam Topeak-Ergon
45JacobMoralesNaranjitoPRAZ Devos
46NicBeechanIdyllwildCATrek, Shimano, 100%, ODI, Fox, Kenda
47TaylorLideenPhoenixAZPivot Cycles, Infinit, Shimano, Stans, TOGS
48CalSkilskyDurangoCOCZracing
49CypressGorryPisgah ForestNCRouleur Devo p/b DNA Cycling
50EthanMoyerSteamboat SpringsCOSteamboat Velo
51BrianFirleBoulderCOAthletes in Action, Roots Racing, Shimano
52ElliottBaringDahlonegaGAPivot Cycles/Maxxis Tires/Starlight Apparel
53JustinLindineOgdenUTApex / Hyperthreads
54ColinOsbornCarbondaleCO
55SpencerGlasgowAlpineUT
56ZachCaltonSalt Lake CityUTSummit National Team
57SamSweetserPark CityUTCole Sport
58CalebReeseGoldenCOPedal Pushers Racing
59NashDoryDurangoCOCZracing
60JordanAndersenDraperAZRouleur Devo
61KevinQuattlebaumHigh RollsNMHigh Altitude, Specialized, ESI grips, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Oakley
62ClaytonOttoSalt Lake CityUTPivot Cycles,TRP, Rotor
63AdamSabanSioux FallsSDRoots Racing p/b Athletes in Action
64TerolPursellGoldenCOAmy D Grassroots
65AdamZimmermanHighlands RanchCOAvout Racing
66ChrisBaddickEagleCOGORE® Wear, Scott Bicycles
67MattBehrensPark CityUTSummit Bike Club
68ErnieWatenpaughOphirCOJack Daniels, BMC, Telluride Venture Accelerator
69TrumanGlasgowTrumanvilleUT
70LeviKurlanderDurangoCOVoler Apparel, Trek Bikes
71MichaelSmartSalt Lake CityUTFamily Bike Shop p/b Niner Bikes
72SpencerPowlisonBoulderCOVeloNews
73MaxMillerSandyUT
74JamesKirkhamAucklandAKNiner Bikes NZ
75DylanJohnsonBrevardNCFBS Racing
76JeffMinottoSteamboat SpringsCOSteamboat Velo p/b Moots
77NathanielVacuraCastle RockCOGroove Subaru
78VincentDavisArvadaCORacer X cycling, Big Ring cycles, WeRaceHere.org
79DillonOslegerTruckeeCAPatagonia, Smith, Clif, Santa Cruz, E*Thirteen, WTB
80RyanPeterkaSpearfishSDNone

Pro Women Results: 2019 Grand Junction Backcountry Race

PlaceNameTimeCityState/ProvinceSponsors
1Katerina Nash3:46:00TruckeeCAClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2Alexis Skarda3:51:17Grand JunctionCOSprintertainment, Towwhee, Kenda MTB
3Sofia Gomez Villafane3:55:11Heber CityUTStan's-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
4Evelyn Dong3:55:50Heber CityUTSpry Cycles, Stans NoTubes
5Rose Grant3:58:09Columbia FallsMTStan's-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
6Kaysee Armstrong4:00:38Newbury ParkCALIV Cycling
7Crystal Anthony4:03:48Newbury ParkCALIV Cycling
8Hannah Finchamp4:09:48KennewickWAClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
9Amy Beisel4:11:13Colorado SpringsCOKenda tire/LEM helmets/ASSOS
10Kaitlin Keough4:13:25Colorado SpringsCOCannondale
11Amy Chandos4:14:48FlagstaffAZCZracing
12Jennifer Smith4:21:42GunnisonCOKenda Cannondale Stans Notubes Magura
13Lydia Tanner4:24:16BoulderCOn/a
14Erin Osborne4:24:29FlagstaffAZFlagstaff Bicycle Revolution/HawthorneMD
15Andrea Dvorak4:26:59CharlottesvilleVACutaway
16Kelly Catale4:29:37PepperellMAConnect / Seven Cycles
17Nicole Tittensor4:30:54AxtellUTJans/Scott
18Sarah Kaufmann4:31:05Salt Lake CityUTDNA Pro Cycling Team
19Lauren Komanski4:31:53Salt Lake CityUTPauls Cycling and Fitness
20Leia Schneeberger4:34:57De PereWIBroken Spoke Bikes, Hammer Nutrition, Princeton Club
21Sparky Moir Sears4:39:53FruitaCOPivot, MRP, Ergon, ENVE, BikeFlights
22Rebecca Gross4:47:53GoldenCOKHS Bicycles Voler Kenda
23Ellen Campbell4:49:15DurangoCOBear Pro Team p/b Trek
24Sienna Leger Redel4:53:46Park CityUTCannondale, Mavic, POC, Vittoria, Hyper Threads, Togs
25Laura Leaton5:06:16DenverCOALP Cycles Racing
26Andi Zolton5:18:36EdmondsWARoam Bike Fest

Pro Men Results: 2019 Grand Junction Backcountry Race

PlaceNameTimeCityState/ProvinceSponsors
1Russell Finsterwald3:10:03Colorado SpringsCOClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
2Geoff Kabush3:12:40SquamishBCYeti, Maxxis, Shimano, Fox, Stans NoTubes, GU
3Stephan Davoust3:14:10Newburry ParkCAGiant Factory Off-Road
4Ben Sonntag3:15:18DurangoCOClif Pro Team, Sierra Nevada, Shimano, Maxxis, Stans NoTubes, Orbea, Fox
5Fernando Riveros3:15:30AustinTXCZracing
6Ryan Standish3:16:32Alice SpringsNTSummit Bike Club, Cannondale, Hyper Threads
7Alex Grant3:17:01Salt Lake CityUTCannondale, ENVE Composites, Hyperthreads, and Gear Rush
8Nic Beechan3:17:11IdyllwildCATrek, Shimano, 100%, ODI, Fox, Kenda
9Zach Calton3:20:13Salt Lake CityUTSummit National Team
10Samuel Elson3:20:21Breezy PointMNMuddy Bikes Mn
11Henry Nadell3:20:36CarbondaleCOCZracing
12Bryan Lewis3:21:22CharlottesvilleVACutaway, USA
13Kyle Trudeau3:21:25TucsonAZCZracing
14Garrett Gerchar3:22:25BoulderCOTHG Ent.
15Oliver Zurbruegg3:23:13LauterbrunnenBEBiXS Pro Team
16Georwill Perez Roman3:23:55Prescott, AzAZTrekPuertoRicoRacing
17Pete Karinen3:24:40CalumetMIBroken Spoke Racing
18Tristan Uhl3:24:53NewburyCAGiant Factory Off-Road
19Chris Baddick3:25:10EagleCOGORE® Wear, Scott Bicycles
20Jake Yackle3:25:14Carson CityNVFSA, Shimano, Primal Wear, Orange Seal, Panaracer, KHS, Clif Bar, Kali Protectives
21Mike Sampson3:25:31Woody CreekNHHub of Aspen, The Feed, Stephen Davoust
22Matt Behrens3:25:44Park CityUTSummit Bike Club
23Keiran Eagen3:26:09DurangoCOScott, Voler Apparel, 2nd Avenue Sports, Abode Health Care
24Grant Ellwood3:26:43BoulderCOPivot Maxxis PB Stan’s NoTubes
25Bryson Perry3:26:53DraperUTRouleur Devo
26Justin Lindine3:27:31OgdenUTApex / Hyperthreads
27Nash Dory3:27:35DurangoCOCZracing
28Cypress Gorry3:28:31Pisgah ForestNCRouleur Devo p/b DNA Cycling
29Andrew Dillman3:28:53FairdaleKYSDG - Muscle Monster
30Brannan Fix3:29:07Grand JunctionCOAlpha Bicycle Co.-Groove Subaru
31Brian Matter3:30:23PrescottAZLinear Sport Racing, Trek, Shimano, Clif Bar
32Felix Burke3:30:33Mont-tremblantQCRocky Mountain Factory Team
33Quinn Moberg3:31:01Garibaldi HighlandsBCRocky Mountain Factory Team
34Jacob Morales3:32:10NaranjitoPRAZ Devos
35David Krimstock3:32:21CarbondaleCOShimano MTB/Pearl Izumi/Pivot Cycles/Maxxis/First Endurance
36Cooper Wiens3:33:21DurangoCOTeam Topeak-Ergon
37Caleb Reese3:33:25GoldenCOPedal Pushers Racing
38Gosse Van Der Meer3:33:30KranenburgKali Protectives, Fox, Evoc, Bombtrack, Hunt, Ritchey, Ride100%, Northwave
39Anders Johnson3:33:40HuntsvilleUTRouleur Devo p/b DNA
40Alexey Vermeulen3:34:46PinckneyMIBianchi, Shimano, Carhartt, Q+M, Enve, ESI grips
41Sam Sweetser3:35:17Park CityUTCole Sport
42Cal Skilsky3:36:32DurangoCOCZracing
43Alec Pasqualina3:37:14BoulderCOSET Coaching/ Arlberg Sports/ Pivot Cycles
44Clayton Otto3:38:52Salt Lake CityUTPivot Cycles,TRP, Rotor
45Taylor Shelden3:39:31BreckenridgeCOTokyo Joes - Scott
46Elliott Baring3:39:47DahlonegaGAPivot Cycles/Maxxis Tires/Starlight Apparel
47Cobe Freeburn3:42:05DurangoCOSpecialized, DNA Cycling
48Isaac Nagel-brice3:42:13BoulderCOTokyo Joes MTB Team
49Sam Vickery3:43:34DurangoCOMyth Cycles
50Spencer Powlison3:43:35BoulderCOVeloNews
51Truman Glasgow3:45:16TrumanvilleUT
52Brian Firle3:48:33BoulderCOAthletes in Action, Roots Racing, Shimano
53Ryan Peterka3:48:44SpearfishSDNone
54Max Miller3:49:12SandyUT
55Jordan Andersen3:49:30DraperAZRouleur Devo
56Michael Smart3:50:13Salt Lake CityUTFamily Bike Shop p/b Niner Bikes
57Nathaniel Vacura3:51:12Castle RockCOGroove Subaru
58Vincent Davis3:51:19ArvadaCORacer X cycling, Big Ring cycles, WeRaceHere.org
59Levi Kurlander3:52:17DurangoCOVoler Apparel, Trek Bikes
60Scott Funston3:53:54Grand JunctionCOHold Fast Project
61Dillon Osleger3:54:04TruckeeCAPatagonia, Smith, Clif, Santa Cruz, E*Thirteen, WTB
62Spencer Glasgow3:55:27AlpineUT
63Adam Saban3:58:50Sioux FallsSDRoots Racing p/b Athletes in Action
64Lucas Rowton4:00:57DurangoCOPremium Progression / Montrose Bike Shop
65Adam Zimmerman4:00:57Highlands RanchCOAvout Racing
66Jeff Minotto4:03:00Steamboat SpringsCOSteamboat Velo p/b Moots
67Kevin Quattlebaum4:05:04High RollsNMHigh Altitude, Specialized, ESI grips, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis, Oakley
68Terol Pursell4:10:14GoldenCOAmy D Grassroots
69Justin Martin4:18:17Colorado SpringsCOSpecialized bikes, Amphuman, Biketogs, Sevenpoints CBD, orangesealed
70James Kirkham4:21:04AucklandAKNiner Bikes NZ