Kabush, Pendrel win stage 1 and keep mixed team GC lead

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Racers awoke to a cool, damp North Vancouver morning as they prepared for their journey to the BC Bike Race Stage 1 start line in the port city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The grey weather didn't dampen racers' spirits, as this day earmarked the first full-length stage in the 2010 event.

An interesting element of the BC Bike Race is its four ferry crossings to get from stage to stage, and Monday morning's voyage with BC Ferries across the Georgia Strait marked their first of the week. Racers walked off the ferry in Nanaimo and right into the start line area, where their bikes were organized and waiting to roll beneath the giant inflatable start/finish line arch with the official crack of the starter pistol.

Nanaimo RCMP members led the 8km neutral start out of the Langdale ferry terminal. A few quick open road climbing kilometres beyond and riders entered the Abyss trails area. The Abyss has been described by riders as a mini Canadian version of Moab. Once through the Abyss, riders went up for a few kilometres, hit some singletrack at the top and did a big loop in that area. After transitioning, racers enjoyed a trail called T-Bar - an old school trail.

The course directors put together a course that flowed really well. For the final 25km, riders did a big circumnavigation around the base of Mt Dumont and had a lengthy climb followed by some beautiful flowy singletrack.

In the two-person men's team's category, Kris Sneddon and Barry Wicks (Team Kona) finished first in the stage in a time of 3:14:16. They also lead the overall.

Mixed team Geoff Kabush & Catharine Pendrel won stage 1 in 3:35:04 and continue to lead the overall.

Women's team Brandi Helstermen & Cathy Zeglinski joined the other top teams in winning the stage and being at the head of the general classification.

Solo winners for the day include Melanie McQuaid 3:58:35 and Chris Sheppard in 3:11:10. Both also top their categories in the the GC.

The BC Bike race welcome back Norm Thibault and Wendy Simms, who took some time off after becoming proud parents. Wendy was born and raised in Nanaimo, as was Melanie McQuaid, so these trails could provide those two some serious home field advantage.

McQuaid, who doesn't normally ride these types of singletrack trails as part of her X-terra training regimen, is owning the solo women category and remains top female finisher overall.

"It was an amazing course! So much fun!" said McQuaid after finishing stage 1.

Stage 2

An early trip down the road to Cumberland where 70km of singletrack await Epic riders. Cumberland is a historical mining town and if you look closely out on the trails, you can see the remnants of mining years gone by.

Stage 1 Results

General classification after stage 1