Racing at 7,000 ft above sea level is a little interesting. Even if you prepare for the altitude, it’s hard to gauge your effort, making it easy to go too hard too early. It was quite hot out today and I got burned through my sunscreen. The dry conditions were very dusty, on the first descent I could barley even see the rocks there was so much dust.
Lots of rocks riddled the fast descents and the course also featured long gradual climbs. A Specialized 29er with Renegade tires, at a little higher pressure than usual to counter flights, was the set-up of choice. The race start was very fast and I found myself working back up thru the field in the second part of the first lap. Got tacked onto the back of the chase group and was fighting for 2nd and 3rd but faded back on the last lap and finished 4th.
Results (brief)
U23 Men
1. Russel Finsterwald (USA) 1:17:15
2. Diyer Rincon (Col) 0:55
3. Kerry Werner (USA) 1:06
4. Evan McNeely (Can) 1:32