Throdahl and Wilson claim Bailey Hundo titles

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The Bailey Hundo made its NUE Race Series debut on Saturday with 400 racers divided between the full Hundo and the Hundito, a shorter 50-mile race option. Both races began with mass start in downtown Bailey at 6:00 am under sunny skies and frigid temperatures.

Men

In what would become the closest finish of the day, 23-year-old Nate Wilson (Honey Stinger/Bontrager Off-Road) claimed victory in 6:50:18. "After the typical start of race chaos, it pretty much sorted out with me, Greg Krause, and Jake Wells at the front," Wilson said.

"Jake was out-descending us for sure, but it was close enough and there was enough climbing that we kept rolling back on the climbs. After about 50 miles though, I made a mistake on one techy section and went over the bars and lost those guys. Eventually, we popped out on the road at about mile 60. I was solo from there for a while until I caught those guys on the long climb up Stony Pass. I caught up to them midway up the climb and was able to put a gap on them.

"After that, I nearly lost it, though, because I thought it was all downhill from the top of the climb so I didn't eat anything more because I was pretty cracked on eating. It was still another hour with a lot of hard rollers so I had a two-minute gap for a while, but started to come apart the last few miles. It was down to just twenty seconds in the end but I held on for the win. It was a super tough race that suited me because, overall, the singletrack was tame enough that I was able to stay close then nail it back on the road sections. I haven't done any other 100 milers, but it was a cool/brutal experience, and I definitely enjoyed it."

Twenty-two seconds later, Greg Krause (Groove Subaru) rolled through the finish arch at 6:50:40.

Five minutes later, after leading the race as far as Aid 4, Jake Wells (Twenty2/Stans NoTubes) hung on for third finishing 6:55:33, one of just three to go sub seven hours on the day.

Thirteen minutes behind Wells, Carter Shaver (Cycleton) took fourth in 7:08:34. Five minutes later, David Krimstock (Basalt Bike & Ski) claimed fifth in 7:13:11.

Women

Molly Throdahl (Avout Racing) of Denver won in the women's division in 8:22:47. "The 2014 Bailey Hundo was my third ultra mountain bike race so, before the race, I had to replay my strategy for long distance in my head, 'do not go out too hard, do not go out too hard'."

"It was a thrilling experience to win my first ultra-endurance race and I know I will be pursuing long course events in the future. I am drawn to the magnitude of challenge ultra endurance racing provides both physically and mentally."

NUE Race Series point leader, Brenda Simril (Motor Mile Racing)  finished just over a minute back at 8:23:56. "I did not expect to be able to compete for a win because of the altitude and the huge field of many super strong Colorado locals," Simril said. "I was honestly just looking for an epic adventure and a good tune up for Lumberjack next weekend. To come so close to winning this race is a big confidence boost for me that will help for the upcoming races, especially the other ones that are at similar altitude. With about five miles to go, a few people told me that Molly was just up ahead so I completely buried myself to try to bridge up but couldn't quite get there."

Thirty minutes behind Simril, Tina Martinez took third in 8:53:16 as one of just three women to go sub nine hours on the day. Kristin Riley-Lazo (Old School Racing/RacerX) from Denver and teammate Carla Hammer from Evergreen finished third and fourth respectively at 9:09:33 and 9:10:16. Four minutes later, Jennifer Barbour (Naked Women's Racing) drew the attention of the crowd finishing fifth at 9:14:46.

Singlespeed

NUE Race Series contender, AJ Linnell (Fitzgeralds Bicycles) crushed the field winning the singlespeed division in 7:09:52 and placing fourth overall on the day. Jason Hilgers (The Adrenalin Project) captured second in 7:31:53.

Carlos Vulgamott (Gates Carbon Drive) finished third at 7:38:11. Dan Durland (ProCycling) finished fourth in 7:55:51, one of just four to go sub  eight hours on the day.

Results