For Laguna Beach's Brian Lopes, who recently wrapped up his record sixth UCI World Cup Championship, heading back to California for the second race of the Jeep King of the Mountain series proved to be a rewarding homecoming. Not only did the 25-time World Cup titlist earn the victory at The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, but in the process he moved into a tie for first place in the overall season standings and moved closer to bringing home the elusive crown for the series.
Joining Lopes on top of the podium was none other than the red-hot Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands, who is vying for her own UCI World Cup Championship with two wins already in the 2007 season. She kept her form in San Luis Obispo, and the payoff was her second-ever Jeep KOM victory and a jump to the top of the overall standings heading into the final race of the season.
Racers are battling for a share of the record US$100,000 cash purse and the season-ending reward of a new 2008 Jeep Liberty. The series wraps up at the grand finale on September 1 in Beaver Creek, Colorado, when the points will be worth double value.
