In just under a week the 2nd Edition of the TransSylvania Epic Mountain Bike Stage race will begin in State College, PA. The race is a 7-day stage race (May 29 - June 4) and features some of the best singletrack the east coast has to offer (at least that is what I have been told). Jerimiah Bishop won the event last year besting a relatively strong field. However, with lots of media attention and word of mouth from racers, this race has gained momentum heading into 2011 and now has attracted some of the best riders in the country; oh yeah and Bishop is back as well to defend. Will anyone de-thrown him of his title? Below is a list of riders competing in the Pro/Open category. My goal is a Top 5 finish.
Pro Men open # Rider Name (Team)
1 Sloane Anderson (ProAir HFA)
2 Christopher Beck (TeamCF)
3 Kip Biese (Big Wheel Racing/Old Town Bike Shop)
4 Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale)
5 Joseph Castle (Twin Six)
6 Ben Cruz (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
7 Michael Cushionbury
8 Jonathan Davis (Trek Bike Store Boulder)
9 Drew Edsall (Super Cool Bike Shop / Firstplaceracing.)
10 Mike Festa (Philadelphia Cyclismo)
11 Alex Grant (Cannondale)
12 Justin Lindine (BikeReg.com / Joe's Garage / Scott)
13 Matt Miller
14 Jason Moeschler (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
15 Josh Patterson (Dirt Rag)
16 Nathan Ruch (Evolution Racing)
17 Jason Sager (Team Jamis)
18 Ross Schnell (Trek/SRAM/Easton/Giro/Pearl)
19 Kris Sneddon (kona)
20 Adam Snyder (Team Jamis)
21 James Spurk
22 Rich Straub (BikeFlights/NoTubes/FTC/PerfomanceLabs)
23 Mark Weir (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
24 Barry Wicks (Kona)
25 Michael Wissell (B2C2/ Boloco)
Visit the official TS Epic website for more details and course descriptions. The race will feature a few unique stages; including a Prologue in Stage 1 and several "Mini XC's in Stage 5. You can also "Like" the TS Epic Facebook page to follow along and get updates during the race.
Weather looks fairly descent for the race in State College as of now with temps in the 70's and cloudy/sunny skies. If the rain comes, it could make things very interesting. I'm ok with either, as I tend to do about the same no matter the condition.
Pro Men open # Rider Name (Team)
1 Sloane Anderson (ProAir HFA)
2 Christopher Beck (TeamCF)
3 Kip Biese (Big Wheel Racing/Old Town Bike Shop)
4 Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale)
5 Joseph Castle (Twin Six)
6 Ben Cruz (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
7 Michael Cushionbury
8 Jonathan Davis (Trek Bike Store Boulder)
9 Drew Edsall (Super Cool Bike Shop / Firstplaceracing.)
10 Mike Festa (Philadelphia Cyclismo)
11 Alex Grant (Cannondale)
12 Justin Lindine (BikeReg.com / Joe's Garage / Scott)
13 Matt Miller
14 Jason Moeschler (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
15 Josh Patterson (Dirt Rag)
16 Nathan Ruch (Evolution Racing)
17 Jason Sager (Team Jamis)
18 Ross Schnell (Trek/SRAM/Easton/Giro/Pearl)
19 Kris Sneddon (kona)
20 Adam Snyder (Team Jamis)
21 James Spurk
22 Rich Straub (BikeFlights/NoTubes/FTC/PerfomanceLabs)
23 Mark Weir (WTB/Cannondale/Shimano/Fox Racing Shox)
24 Barry Wicks (Kona)
25 Michael Wissell (B2C2/ Boloco)
Visit the official TS Epic website for more details and course descriptions. The race will feature a few unique stages; including a Prologue in Stage 1 and several "Mini XC's in Stage 5. You can also "Like" the TS Epic Facebook page to follow along and get updates during the race.
Weather looks fairly descent for the race in State College as of now with temps in the 70's and cloudy/sunny skies. If the rain comes, it could make things very interesting. I'm ok with either, as I tend to do about the same no matter the condition.
