American Mountain Classic Prologue Report

Writing and Photos by: Greg Gibson

Stage one of the 4-day Sho-Air/ Specialized American Mountain Classic began today with a 20 minute mass start Prologue. The purpose of today's race was to establish starting positions and race leaders. Times from today's race did not count toward the racer's overall times and the prologue was not mandatory but the winners of the stage received cash prizes.

The course located 9,000 feet above sea level at the base of Brianhead Resort gave racers a taste of what it will be like racing at altitude for the next three days. The course started on a wide pavement road that went downhill, turning into gravel and decending before diving into technical singletrack to climb back to the start.

A stacked Pro men's field of about 30 lined up for the mass start race. Off the line I felt like I had entered a national short track race not a stage race. I think most of us will be looking forward to tomorrow's 5 hour stage to slow the pace.

In the men, it was a battle between Trek/VW Pro Jeremiah Bishop and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher), both of whom are here instead of racing the Olympics. Jeremiah out sprinted JHK for the Prologue win and $500 cash. Rounding the top 5 where German Ben Sontag (3D Racing), "The Future" Tim Allen , and seasoned endurance racer Brian Smith (Trek/VW). My predictions for tomorow's stage are on JHK, other rider's to watch would be "Tree Farm" Ryan Trebon (Kona), Jeremiah Bishop,and Brian Smith. Keep an eye on the dark horse Manuel Prado (Sho-Air) and the experience of Tinker Juarez (Monaviecannondale) to shine through.



The women's Prologue completed a set of duos with Lea Davidson riding for Trek/VW and Heather Irmiger-Kobelski for Subaru/Gary Fisher, Jennifer Smith (Trek/VW) was third, followed by Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth) and Sue Butler (Monaviecannondale). My prediction for tomorrow is for Pua to take control of the race and clean up in the long haul.

The master-elite men also received cash and a leader's jersey from the prologue today. Local Legend Art O'Connor (Monaviecannondale) from Salt Lake City took the jersey and the $250 cash.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's results when the real racing begins.