Bishop and Haywood in control

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Jeremiah Bishop and Sue Haywood held onto their leads at the Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race after the first full stage of racing, the Suspension Experts White Squirrel Loop stage, on Friday.

Bishop barely held off Sam Koerber for the elite men's win. Both riders finished within one minute of each other.  Further back, Evan Plews was third, at 11:01, and Christian Tanguy was fourth at 12:06.  Harlan Price was fifth, over 20 minutes back.

In the elite women's race, Sue Haywood held a strong lead of 13:50 over second place Carey Lowery.  Cheryl Sornson was third at 24:06 ahead of Brenda Simril in fourth. About one hour behind, Janel Demeter finished fifth.

The elite 40+ men's category is packing some heat with Bill Lanzilotta, Morgan Olsson and Bob Koerber battling it out.

Racers faced courses that had seen a good bit of rain the past few days. Stage 1 started out in light, misty rain and in temperatures that have been chilly for this time of year. Weather reports are calling for snowfall in the higher elevations tonight. However, racers have been enjoying the singletrack of Pigah.

Race note:  Local favorite in the Elite 40+ men's category, Bob Koerber, father of Sam Koerber, raced nearly the entire stage 1 with no front brake.  He is hoping for better mechanical luck tomorrow.

Results