Wells wins Fontana Pro XCT

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The two-man affair between Todd Wells (Specialized Factory) and Jeremiah Bishop (Sho-Air/Cannondale) continued at the Fontana City national, stop number three of USA Cycling's Pro XCT series. This time Wells came out on top.

Noticeably absent in California were Trek riders Sam Schultz and Russell Finsterwald, who elected not to attend round number three of the Pro XCT series. With their absence, this left the door open for some breakthrough rides for riders looking to get on the podium.

Bishop and Wells quickly went to the font of a four-lap, 5.5-mile course that had the pros raving about the new cross country course for this year race.

By lap two, Bishop turned up the heat and only Wells was able to respond. They dropped Cameron Jette (Scott-3 Rox racing), who was putting in a spectacular ride in third.

Meanwhile Jette was riding in no man's land, and just ahead of a furious chase group consisting of Ryan Woodall, Alex Grant (Sho-Air/Cannondale), Mitchell Hoke (Kenda/Felt) and Ben Sonntag (American Interbanc Cannondale).

Heading out onto the last lap, Bishop again showed his early season form by dropping Wells with almost a minute-long lead coming through the feed/tech zone.

It looked as though Bishop would now make it two straight Pro XCT victories as he looked to have Wells covered with that last lap surge. However, with less than a half lap left, Bishop suffered a broken chain and as he was on the side of the course fixing his chain, he was swallowed up by a still charging Wells.

Now out front Wells, was on cruise control and rode to his first major win of the year with a minute and a half on Bishop, who managed to repair his chain quickly and stay ahead Jette.

Sonntag came out the victor of the elite chase group behind Jette, to take a solid fourth place finish, while Hoke took a fifht place after riding strong all weekend.

With his second place, Bishop still holds onto his number one plate, seventy five points ahead of Todd Wells as both head into the upcoming Sea Otter Classic.

Full Results