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.
Favorite Tinker Juarez (Cannondale) suffered double flats early in the race and was passed by Nat Ross (Subaru / Gary Fisher) and Josh Tostado, who eventually took first and second after over 11 hours of racing, but Juarez battled back to hold on for third.
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.
