Hometown rider Kerr wins BC Bike stage 6

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The area surrounding the Brennan Park Recreation Centre in Squamish transformed overnight into a mountain bike festival in preparation for stage 6 of the BC Bike Race. Just prior to race start, the entire BCBR crew gathered together beneath the iconic Bear-on-Bike start/finish line arch that towered in the parking lot. One annual team photo later, the crew was on their way and replaced by approximately 40 guests invited to ride the challenge course.

The guest list read like the who's who of the mountain biking industry. Notables included former Olympian and 2009 BCBR winner, Seamus McGrath, plus Andrew Shandro and Dik Cox. Watching some of those guests on trail, running a clinic on how to ride BC singletrack, is nothing short of inspiring. One of the day's guests, Specialized's Matt Ryan, cleared the Challenge course in an amazing 1:53:26 to be the first person of the day to cross the finish line.

The biggest attraction was the BC Bike Race Shimano Kids Race. For one Twoonie, kids got to participate in the race, earn a BCBR finishers medal, and had a chance to win a new Rocky Mountain Kids Edge 20 mountain bike. The event was a success, with numerous waves of children, grouped by age, charging around the track. BCBR MC Drew Bragg commentated the races, Dave Norona, riding his electric moto, led the race pack off the start line, and pro mountain bikers Chris Sheppard, Catharine Pendrel, and Seamus McGrath rode with each group of kids, cheering them on and coaching on the fly. The race generated a great turnout and all proceeds from entry fees went to support the local mountain biking organization.

It seems that the hometown advantage has played out on the Squamish race course. Colin Kerr (Rocky Mountain Bikes), local favourite and last year's solo men's winner, blasted through the finish line in a blistering 2:28:55, four and a half minutes ahead Jason Sager and Chris Sheppard.

Sheppard, however, still dons the yellow jersey for the final day of racing in Whistler. Sheppard has owned the GC since day one and maintains an almost eight-minute lead over Sager with one day left to go.

Les Tee won the women's race for the stage but Melanie McQuaid continues to dominate the overall.

Kona's Kris Sneddon & Barry Wicks took another stage win in the men's duo category, finishing in 2:35:51. They also continued to be GC leaders. Sneddon admitted that they had a tough day on course and are starting to feel the effects of five straight days of epic racing. It's easier to make little mistakes and misjudgements when racers are feeling not only physically tired but also mentally so. Team Kona's goal for the final stage 7 is to play it safe and smart.

Women's race leaders Alana Heise & Kate Aardal (Terralandscape-Hardcore Racing) won the stage among the women's team in 3:27:18.

Geoff Kabush (Team Rocky Mountain - Maxxis) and partner Catharine Pendrel (Team Luna) once again dominated the team of two mixed category. The pair finished in 2:42:25 which puts them in a solid 13 minute lead over the next team of Jeff Neilson and Mical Dyck. As Kabush rolled through the line, BCBR Media Manager, Dave Howells, snagged a quick interview with the yellow jersey wearing racer who said, "These are some of the best trails in the world, and he wanted to come out and enjoy the experience. (Kabush) wanted to ride the trails that the Squamish Cycling groups have done such amazing work on. "

Race note: Mixed team Geoff Kabush and Catharine Pendrel are currently in 15th place of all teams in the race.

Stage 7

Day Seven will take place in Whistler as the race wraps up.

Stage 6 full results

General classification after stage 6