First year endurance event draws top American pros

Nat Ross (Subaru/Gary Fisher) held off Giant's Josh Tostado

Nat Ross (Subaru/Gary Fisher) held off Giant's Josh Tostado (Image credit: Clay Higgins)

The inaugural Dirt Sweat & Gears event in Tennessee drew top American endurance racers. About 1,000 spectators were treated to a battle in the pro race, as racers piled on lap after lap. Racers were drawn by the US$10,000 in cash awarded to the pros and the US$15,000 worth of prizes awarded to amateurs. In the spirit of many NORBA cross country races of the 1990s, a schwag toss rounded out the awards ceremony.

Endurance guru Monique Sawicki (Ergon / Ellsworth) controlled the women's race from start to finish. Main challenger Rebecca Rusch (Red Bull / Specialized) suffered a flat that cost her a considerable amount of time.

John "Fuzzy" Mylne took the singlespeed win.

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