National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series: Lumberjack 100 2012: Preview

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Gerry Pflug (Salsa/spk/pro Bikes) is victorious in the singlespeed category at the Lumberjack 100(Image credit: Jack Kunnen)

The Founders Lumberjack 100 celebrates its eighth year, seven with the Kenda NUE Series. The race will again utilize a 33-mile loop through Michigan's beautiful Manistee National Forest and the Big-M Ski Area.

Michigan style singletrack - composed mostly of hard pack trail, occasional sandy sections, and fast rolling terrain - offers twists and turns that demand constant power and total concentration as the trails quickly turn to nothing more than green blurs of forest. Easy fireroad coasting, it is not. Ninety percent of the 33-mile, three-lap race is comprised of this singletrack that will eventually push racers over 9,000 feet of total elevation gain.

According to Rick Plite, Founders Lumberjack Race Director, "This year’s race sold out in about 11 minutes! With a strong following, Lumberjack has been growing and selling out since its inception. It has put Big M XC Ski Area on the map pretty much forcing the Manistee National Forest to expand and pave their parking lot, install new outhouses, add signage to the trails along with a new kiosk. A second overflow lot was opened last year again increasing the limit."

Following a second place finish to US Olympic hopeful, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale) earlier this year at Cohutta, Syllamo's Revenge took its toll on the Tanguy following a hard crash that forced him to drop out of the race. But he did not drop out for long. Despite lingering pain following his first DNF in the series, Tanguy sewed up the wounds, dusted himself off, and took on the Mohican MTB100 on June 2, just two weeks later earning his first NUE Series win of the year.

Michael Simonson (RBS Trek MTB Team), also from Michigan, rolled in just nine seconds behind the three-time NUE Champ last year to finish third on the podium. Simonson has become well known among the packs of contenders for his repeated attacks on the entire field. His close second place finish two weeks ago at Mohican could spell trouble for Tanguy, who should be checking his rearview mirror more often for the SiMonster. However, Tanguy may benefit from the help of teammate Brandon Draugelis (Team CF), who placed second at Syllamo's and sixth at Mohican.

Enter the strongman from the highlands of Breckenridge, Colorado: Josh Tostado (Bach Builders) enters the fray in his first NUE Series appearance this year since placing third overall in the NUE Series last season. With a win at Lumberjack, Tostado could put his stamp on the podium before heading back to try to take the series lead on his home turf in the high mountains of Colorado where only one man has ever bested him. And who was that man? None other than three-time NUE Champion Jeff Schalk.

Dark horses include many of the usual suspects including Rob Spreng (Dirty Harry's), who has third place finishes at both Syllamo's and Mohican and he may be riding with Chris Peariso (Adventure212 / Specialized), who coincidently scored fourth place finishes at the same two races. Ernesto Marenchin (Pivot Cycles) and Zack Morrey (BlueRidgeCyclery/NoTubes) are both in the hunt with top 10 finishes this year along with Jordan Wakely (Einstein Racing) who most recently finished fifth at Mohican.

Concerning her crash and subsequent withdrawal from the Lumberjack, Sornson said, "I was racing and asked to pass someone on left. They said ok, but as I passed they went left. I caught something on side of trail, the bike stopped but I didn't, and hit the ground hard. Thank goodness for helmets! I also landed on left side and broke a rib or so. Not the best timing, but at a good break in my season for rest and recovery. It's forced, but that's good because I have a hard time resting. As bummed as I am, I can't complain too much. My season has been great and now I can look forward to a great late season as well."

"Then, I called my doctor on Monday, and he put me on a strong antibiotic and ordered a Lyme disease blood test. I'll get the results back next Monday but my doctor thinks I only have a bacterial infection from the tick bite and not Lyme disease. Hopefully, that is the case. I am feeling better after taking the antibiotic for a few days now, but I'm not sure doing a 100-mile race so soon after fighting this infection will be the best thing for my complete recovery. I've decided to try doing a much shorter race forty five minutes from home next weekend instead of the LJ100."

2010 NUE Masters Champion Robert Herriman nailed down back to back wins at the Lumberjack in 2010 and 2011 where he set the bar at 7:25:30. However, Herriman is absent from the roster so far this year along with Roger Masse, who finished second at the Lumberjack last year, and thirid overall in the NUE Series behind Herriman and 2011 NUE Masters Champion Doug Andrews, who went undefeated last year to take his first NUE Masters title.