From the start of Stage Three, Ryan Trebon made it clear that he wanted to move up in the overall classification. Trebon attacked early and separated himself from the front chase group that included Bishop, Horgan-Kobelski, Ben Sonntag, Colin Cares and Manuel Prado. Unfortunately for Trebon, the smooth fire road that allowed him to power away provided the terrain on which his chasers could easily work together to reel him in.
Catching Trebon on the course's steepest section and just before entering the single track, Horgan-Kobelski set a fierce pace and was followed by Bishop and a string of chasers. Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, Horgan-Kobelski would seem best suited to compete in the day's ultra high altitudes, and unleashed a furry of attacks at the front of the race. Bishop seemed content to respond to Horgna-Kobelski's accelerations, biding his time until putting in a major effort of his own.
Bishop's acceleration separated him from Horgan-Kobelski only briefly as the two climbed the Peak Trail approaching the final single track descent. The riders continued to match each other's pace as they ripped down the course's last descent. Looking ahead at the final turns before the finish chute, Bishop and Horgan-Kobelski sprinted hard, each powering for the lead around the first corner. The two riders came into the corner hard, but while Horgan-Kobelski momentarily stumbled, it was Bishop who powered through and was first to cross the finish line.
A third stage victory and retention of the leader's jersey mark Bishop going into Sunday's final stage where 54 miles of racing will determine the outcome of the inaugural American Mountain Classic.
Full results and links to event coverage will be updated below as available:
(Some discrepancies in coverage. The AMC considers each day's event a proper "Stage," some coverage refers to the first Stage as a "prologue" and begin numbering subsequently.)
MTBRaceNews.com Stage Three (titled "Two") results are posted here.
MTBRaceNews.com Stage Three (titled "Two") Greg Gibson report and photos are here.
Labels: American Mountain Classic, Race Headlines
