2018 Singletrack 6 Stage 2: Fresh trails meet classic descents

Mount 7 trails shake up race standings during second day of racing in Golden, B.C.

Terry McKall July 30, 2018

Photos by John Gibson and Jean McAllister

Tomi Misser a the Start of Stage 2, 2018 Singletrack 6

2018 Singletrack 6 stayed in Golden, B.C. for this year’s second stage, with racers crossing the valley to visit the legendary Mount 7 trails.

Pivot Cycles-OTE’s Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette leads Nicolas Cambus down Mount 7

Made famous by the Mount 7 Psychosis Downhill, an infamously long and challenging track that attracted international racers during it’s run in the early 2000’s, the steep network of trails were set to test the descending skills of Singletrack 6 racers.

After setting a fast pace on the climb, Cory Wallace leads Justin Lindine back down the mountain

To get to the bottom section of the classic downhill track, which would host the days timed descent section, racers climbed a brand new memorial climbing trail called Schacher. While Schacher ascends all the way to the top of Mount 7 over 15 km, Sunday’s stage stuck to the lower slopes before continuing down into the more forgiving, flowy Mountain Shadow trails.

All smiles in Goldin: Jena Greaser wins Stage 2 in the Open Women’s category.

“Part way” up Mount 7 still presented racers with a solid 11 km of climbing on Schacher before moving across the mountain to the Mount 7 Psychosis track. Kona Endurance Team racer Cory Wallace led Stage 1’s winner Justin Lindine up the climb, but the lengthy descent that followed brought several of the more skilled downhiller’s back to the front of the race.

Evan Guthrie chased back into third by the day’s end

With his downhill and enduro racing pedigree, Tomi Misser found his way back to the front of the race. The Orbea rider crossed first, winning the 40+ Men’s race. Behind him, Alex McGuinnis led a strong contingent of Santa Cruz riders to claim his first stage win of the 2018 Singletrack 6 in Open Men. Justin Lindine preserved his overall lead by finishing second. Evan Guthrie stormed back into third, claiming his second straight timed descent win along the way.

Pendrel Racing’s Elyse Nieuwold leads Juliana Bicycles Mical Dyck on Stage 2

Jena Greaser was out in front again in the Open Women’s race, but her lead on the second stage of racing was much smaller than on the opening day of racing. Elyse Nieuwold and Mical Dyck closed in on the race leader on Sunday, but it was still Greaser winning the stage and adding a timed descent victory along the way. Dyck crossed second, showing signs of a crash somewhere on course. Nieuwold finished third, but still sits just over a minute ahead of Dyck in the overall standings.

Jena Greaser happy with a second straight stage win at 2018 Singletrack 6

After winning the opening stage, Justin Lindine settled for second on Mount 7, but still leads the overall

Mical Dyck crossed the line in second place, with blood on her knee

rider: Evan Guthrie wins the Timed Descent on Stage 2.

rider: Carter Nieuwesteeg

rider: Brittany Webster

rider: Chris Johnston

rider: Chris Baddick

rider: Alex Stieda

rider: TJ and Alex Stieda

rider: Albie Malan

rider: Christian Gauvin

rider: Meghan Molnar and Samantha Salter

rider: Zach Janzen

rider: Paul Cooney

rider: Adam Sproule

Timed Descent crew ride up to the top of the starts.

Monday’s racing heads back across the valley and way up to Kicking Horse resort’s alpine trail network. Riders start off with an early morning gondola ride but there’s still 1,300m of climbing between racers and the finish line. Those that prefer trails pointing down the mountain will be happy with the days net loss of elevation and gnarly bike park trails.