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TransRockies Classic climbs back onto race calendar: Alpine ascents at Panorama

Stage 1 of rebooted stage race starts with grueling 2,200 m of elevation gain

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama

Five years after last traversing the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the TransRockies Classic is back.

There was no easing out of retirement for the storied mountain bike stage race, either. Racers set off from the base of Panorama Mountain Resort and started climbing. They continued the grueling ascent until they topped out way in the alpine, far above the resorts lifts.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
Kate Boe and Mark Williams crest the days first climb. Photo: John Gibson

Once there, many took the time to catch their breath in the thinner oxygen, snack and try recover from the intense effort, which was only the start of a 76.9 km opening stage.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
Barry Wicks and Zoe Roy, racing in the Open Mixed Team, enjoy a snack with the views. Photo: John Gibson

Oh, and maybe a couple moments to take in the views. Blue skies and stunning 360-degree views were the reward for TranksRockies Classic racers’ early efforts. Views stretched across the valleys, taking in ranges and ridge lines of the Kootenay Rockies.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama

Once satisfied, riders began the second reward for scaling to Panorama Mountain Resort’s peaks. A thrilling descent all the way back down to, and through the town of Invermere was next on the menu.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama

More rolling singletrack and connectors followed before the first stage of 2019 TransRockies Classic concluded at K2 Ranch. Along the way, racers gained a cumulative 2,200 m of elevation. While the number is substantial, it was slightly outweighed by 2,400 m of descending.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
It’s not all alpine views. Sweet B.C. switchbacks greeted racers back into the trees. Photo: John Gibson
2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
Women’s Solo Leader Megan Molnar. Photo: John Gibson

Megan Molnar led the Solo Women’s field, finishing in 3 hours 23 minutes.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
Nick Gould leads Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette. Photo: John Gibson

On the Solo Men’s side, Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette (Pivot Cycles-OTE) must have taken inspiration from his teammates’ podium performances at Canadian XCO national championships in Ontario over the weekend. Bélanger-Barrette flew through the course in just 2 hours 32 minutes.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1 Panorama
Travis Hauck looking relaxed following his teammate, Gould. Photo: John Gibson.

Hot on the Pivot Cycles-OTE rider’s heels were there leading Open Men’s team. B.C. locals Travis Hauck, who is riding as part of his training for Mont-Sainte-Anne Masters world championships this August, and teammate Nick Gould finished together with Bélanger-Barrette.

Christian Gauvin of Bromont, Que. and Canadian Olympian Lyne Bessette. Photo: John Gibson.

The 2019 TransRockies Classic continues for another six days of racing. From Invermere, the race heads south and east towards Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, before returning west to finish in Fernie, B.C.

TransRockies Classic Stage 1
Travis Hauck leads Nick Gould to victory on Stage 1. Photo: Jean McAllister

Stage 2 of the 2019 TransRockies Classic carries racers another 74.5 km from K2 Ranch to Nipika Mountain Resort. Along the way, another 1,750 m of cumulative ascent.

2019 TransRockies Classic Stage 1
Everybody was feeling the heat on Day 1. Photo: Jean McAllister