benefits of snow biking is that crashing on snow is a lot softer then solid ground! In the men’s race Tyler Gauthier (Culvers Racing) of Ishpeming, Michigan was able to overcome a less then stellar start to claim the world championship title and official course record. After getting stuck in a snow rut at the beginning of the race, the professional mountain bike racer was forced to chase down two men in front of him. Once he bridged up to the leaders he quickly realized that making his own tracks on the ungroomed trail was easier then riding in someone else’s. After dropping his competitors Tyler time trialed the rest of the course alone. Gauthier crossed the finish line in 1st place with a time of 1:13:34. Evan Simula of Marquette Michigan finished in 2nd place with a time of 1:18:40. Tyler Jenema, also from Marquette, rounded out the podium with a time of 1:19:20. In the women’s race Danielle Musto (Salsa Cycles/Twin Six) of Grand Rapids, Michigan was able to take the lead in the first mile of the race. Though the rough trail conditions in the early parts of the race forced Musto off of her bike repeatedly, she was able to make up time in the second half. Musto crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 1:39:56.
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Behind Musto was perhaps the most competitive battle of the day. Cooper Dendel and Nicole Alexander, both from Marquette, found themselves racing side by side for second place. Cooper Dendel was able to pull ahead to finish in 2nd place with a time of 1:55:46, while Nicole Alexander finished in 3rd place less then four minutes behind. Overall the snow bike world championships were a great success and plans are already in the works for next year. At the awards ceremony promoters mentioned that the entire course would be groomed next year and racers are hoping that the snow bike race will offer a 50k option as well. Both Gauthier and Musto plan on coming back and racing next year. Northern Motion