The 15th annual Peak2Peak MTB race delivered on its promises this weekend. One of Michigan’s two classic fall MTB XC races (the other being the Iceman Challenge in November), Peak2Peak features a flat, flowy course for its first 10 miles, punctuated with a steep, 350 ascent and a jump-line descent to the finish at the end of each lap. MiSCA riders who raced Cannonsburg this year know how important an end-of-lap ascent can be in overall race positioning, and Peak2Peak has a similar finishing feel (though considerably taller than Cannonsburg).
Depending on when you rode your race, it was either sunny in the high-30s with a beautiful dry course, or pouring rain, also in the high-30s with peanut butter mud to slow down riders. Coyotes showed up in both conditions and finished well!
To start the day, Will Hughes finished first in the Beginner 11-Under category. While that’s impressive enough in its own right, we would be remiss if we didn’t also point out that Will finished 9th overall… in a field of nearly 100 riders, nearly all of whom were adults. Congrats, Will! That’s an awesome day.
In the Sport Women’s race, Anabel Miller (1st, Women 15-29) and Madine Whitmer (2nd, Women 15-29) continued their form from MiSCA season, taking the top two spots in the Women’s 15-29 age group, and finishing 2nd and 3rd overall for Sport women. The weather for the sport race was pristine, with deep blue skies, a few passing clouds, and temps in the upper-30s. The weather for the podium however featured wind, torrential rains, and a harbinger of a tough pro race coming up later in the morning.
The Sport Men’s race featured Jacob Boon (3rd) and Eric Hoffman (6th) both competing in the Men’s 15-24 age group. Jacob’s finish was marked by major sendage on the finishing downhill (a half-mile jump line down Crystal Mountain).
When the sport race concluded, and as the skies opened up with icy rain, the pro race was delayed 10 minutes to allow for some clearing of the weather. Luke Zuelke toed the line in this race as a Pro/Elite male racer and survived in a field that saw numerous DNFs due to the suddenly deteriorating conditions.
Coaches Results!
- Rob Martin, 14th, Pro/Elite Men
- Jeremy Tesch, 1st, Sport Men 45-47
- Brian Miller, 3rd, Sport Men 45-47
- Alan Hoffman 5th, Sport Men 50-51
- Pete Boon, 21st, Sport Men 52-55
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