Swanepoel opens Breck Epic with stage victory

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The thermometer read a chilly 35 degrees (Fahrenheit) as racers rolled up to the start line of the first day of the three- or six-day Breck Epic mountain bike stage race. Soon enough the clock ticked over to 8:30 am, and the day was started. After a road climb to a wicked descent, the race began in earnest.

With a front line consisting of names such as Ross Schnell, Josh Tostado, Ben Melt Swanepoel, Jake Wells, and Colby Pearce, who is doubling up the Leadville 100 and the Breck Epic, the race is stacked.

Breckenridge local Nick Truitt pulled off the front before the first singletrack descent. After about 30 minutes, the top three riders made their move to pass Truitt, where they held off the rest of the field for the duration of the race. For three hard hours of racing over loose babyhead climbs and descents, Swanepoel of Squirt Lube came through the finish line first, but not before missing the very last turn and stopping in the parking lot before finding the course again amidst many cheers.

Ben Sonntag of NoTubes Elite rolled through second, just minutes after Swanepoel. Locals Josh Tostado (Bach Builders) and Nick Truitt (Yeti Pactimo Pro XC) and Rotem Ishay (Team Jamis) rounded out the top five solo open men.

New for this year is the "Singlespeed Stage Race World Championships". Both the men's and women's overall winner will be crowned the Singlespeed Stage Race World Champion, complete with world champ stripes.

First to cross the line in the men's singlespeed category was Macky Franklin of Oskar Blues/Reeb with Brady Kappius (ClifBar) close on his wheel. Dax Massey (HoneyStinger/Trek) was in third. After the race, Franklin in his first race on a singlespeed, commented that he swallowed his pride and hopped off to run through sections he would ride on his geared bike. Kappius went out strong, but Franklin pulled him in on a dirt road midway through the race.

The first men's duo of Blake Harlan and Bryan Alders came in literally on Franklin's wheel, blowing the team category out of the water. Near the end of the race the team took a turn down a dirt jump trail rather than the official singletrack, losing about two minutes. Harlan and Alders are riding to raise donations for the Colorado High School Mountain Bike League as well as the Summit Junior Mountain Bike League. For a $10 suggested donation, entries into a drawing for a 2013 Breck Epic solo entry will be up for grabs.

In the women's solo open category, Squirt Lube's Yolandi Du Toit lead most of the race, with the Breck 100 winner, Amanda Carey (Kenda) about five minutes and a half minutes back in second, and Yeti Beti's Karen Jarchow 12 minutes later in third.

In the three-day men's open Matt Simmons has a convincing 27-minute lead over Aaron Gulley. Cam Winn crossed third.

The men's 40+ open division is no less impressive with local Mark Thompson coming in 26 minutes ahead of Bill Hade in 2nd, and Adam Pemberton in third.

In the women's three-day open Summit county local Holly Wade is leading by 40 minutes over Debbie Preller and Kristi Olson.

Full Results (for stage 1 and general classification after stage 1)