June 16/12 8:47 am - Banff National Park Bike Fest: Stage 1 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 06/16/12
 

Banff National Park Bike Fest Lake Louise 1A Road Race

Just past the 5km mark, as Mulder got in front again for a massive pull and a CP train powered North along the tracks below, another grizzly bear appeared on the road ahead. The pack was slowed until the lumbering beast made it off the road, then it was race on, again.
With many small attacks proving futile, it wasn't until the 23-km mark when Nicholas Jendzjowsky (Pedalhead Road Works), got off the front and put a 32-second gap ahead of the peloton. Just as this was going on, another black bear appeared off to the side of the road while two large elk were foraging in the grasslands beyond. Another rider bridged to join Jendzjowsky in what was to prove to be an unsuccessful break.

Once past the turn-around, the leaders were caught on an up-hill climb and with 30km to go, the group was all together.

At the 62km mark things started to heat up again. Two more black bears were spotted by the tracks near the road, which kept the caravan drivers on alert to stop the riders if need be.

Once past this point, it was the local boy's in yellow, the Rundell Mountain Cycling Club, who had several numbers up front and was able to take control of this race to the end. And in the end, it was their rider, Sean Crooks, who took the sprint finish for the victory followed by Aaron Schooler (Team HR Block) and Shawn Bunnin (Top Gear - ROAD) rounding out the top three.

"We got serious and established a well organized team this year," commented a stoked Crooks, "We planned our lead-out during our pre-race meeting and today it worked to perfection. We rode a great race today."

Crook's victory was enough to put him in the leaders jersey heading into tomorrow's Stage 3 Time Trial.

In the Open Women's race, it was Pepper Harlton (Pedalhead Road Works) who won the sprint and took the stage victory. In doing so Harlton also padded her lead in the overall standings. Shoshauna Laxson (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes) came second while independent rider Kirsti Lay finished third.

This was the first year that the Cat 3 Men were able to race the Lake Louise Road Race, and the 100+ riders put on a great show on this scenic stretch of highway. The pack stayed mainly together and in the sprint for victory it was again taken by the Canmore based Rundell Mountain Cycling Club's Anthony Killick while teammate Robin Clegg remains in the overall leader's jersey.

Holding a race in a National Park like Banff presents its own challenges, wildlife encounters being one of them. Stuart Back, Director, In Resort Services for Banff Lake Louise Tourism commented that, "Today's seven bear sightings, including three grizzlies and four blacks, was quite unique. We often get wildlife sightings, but usually not that many concentrated in one area at the same time. This is just another aspect which makes hosting a bike race in a National Park special."

Results from the Lake Louise Road Race, June 15th