Kabush and Nash will headline ‘Lucky Year 13’ of BC Bike Race
Previewing the pro women's and men's favourites for BCBR 2019
BC Bike Race is getting in the final days before the it’s 13th “Lucky Year” of racing on west coast singletrack. When it does roll out in North Vancouver on July 5, there will be some familiar faces at the front of the race.
Both Geoff Kabush (Yeti-Maxxis) and Katerina Nash (Clif Pro Team) will be back to defend their 2018 BCBR titles. The two veteran mountain bike stage racers will need to draw on their years of experience to hold off a strong field of competitors.
With 600 riders on the start line, BCBR is about more than the elite leaderboards, though. By the end of seven days of the “Ultimate Singletrack Experience,” every competitor will have their own story from the week. Going into it, several riders already stand out.
Canadian ski cross Olympic gold medallist Kelsey Serwa will be riding in her first BC Bike Race. The three time Olympian won’t be the only international level winter athlete crossing over to the dirt, either. Laeita Roux, a world champion in ski mountaineering (Skimo) will be racing in the team category with Cornelia Hug. The two have already raced South Africa’s Cape Epic and Croatia’s Four Islands Race together.
Then there’s Graham Fitch. The 60-year-old Whistler resident is the only rider to have completed every single BC Bike Race, and will be on the start line to extend his streak for another year.
Looking for Luck in 13: Pro Men and Women
While Katerina Nash has written her name all over the women’s race, BC Bike Race’s men’s field has traditionally been dominated by Canucks. Familiar with the relentlessly technical trails and fueled by maple syrup, they’ve proven hard to beat on home turf.
“I love riding singletrack, but trying to race it, with these guys, whoosh that’s another thing” said legendary endurance mountain biker Karl Platt, five time winner of both the Cape Epic and Trans Alp stage races. Last year, he won Stage 3 in Powell River, but could only hold on for sixth overall.
BCBR 2019 Pro Women
At the front, Nash and Kabush are expected to be the two putting pressure on the rest. With years of World Cup training fresh in her legs, five-time Olympian Katerina Nash won’t just be chasing the win, she’ll be pushing to see how far up she can finish in the men’s field.
Kaysee Armstrong (Liv Racing), second in 2018, is back for another try at unseating Queen Nash. She’ll be joined by Liv Racing teammate Serena Bishop Gordon, who has finished 3rd at the high-altitude Breck Epic in the past. Cyclocross pro Courtney McFadden (Pivot-Maxxis) and Fernie, B.C.’s Jenna Greaser (Rocky Mountain) will also be pushing for spots on the women’s podium.
BCBR 2019 Pro Men
Among the Canadian’s on the start line this year will be returning champion Geoff Kabush. Known for his technical skill in World Cup racing days, the veteran XC racer already has stage race wins under his belt this year. He’ll be pushed by a Canadian national champion, a Canada Cup winner and a trio of strong Americans.
Third place last year, Kerry Werner (Kona Endurance Team) is highest ranked returning challenger. Payson McElveen (Team Orange Seal – Trek) and Benjamin Sontag (Clif Pro Team) will be new to BCBR. Both bring a wealth of experience to the event, though. McElveen is the two time US XC Marathon national champion. Sontag is coming in hot after a 3rd place at the Epic Rides Carson City Off-Road, and is a past winner of La Ruta de los Conquistadores.
Michael van den Ham (Easton Overland) is the Canadian cyclocross national champion, but has been putting in big miles on the big tires. Van den Ham has been on the full BC XCM circuit, including a second place at the final NIMBY 50.
Felix Burke (Rocky Mountain) will be bringing serious speed to his first BC Bike race. The young racer finished 2018 as the Canada Cup XCO series winner.
With just days left to go before the prologue in North Vancouver, watch the video below to prepare for another year of excitement:
BC Bike Race 2019 gets underway July 5 in North Vancouver. A 3.5 km prologue will rank riders prior to seven days of racing on BC’s finest trails.
RELATED: BC Bike Race sets limited 2020 early registration dates
If you want to get in on the action next year, act fast. Early Bird registration for BC Bike Race 2020 sold out in just nine minutes. Race Week registration opens July 5, 2019. That is limited to just 250 spots. Podium registration for remaining BCBR 2020 spots opens July 15, 2019.
