This year’s 18th running of the Race Across The Sky has become an important focus for the Cannondale Factory Racing Team, so much so that we’re sending a large contingent of racers and support staff to leave a lasting impression on the 2,000 racers and even larger numbers of friends and fans that line the legendary 103 mile high altitude course that climbs 14,000 feet. This year, Jeremiah Bishop (who finished 5th last year in his first attempt) will be supported by Leadville veterans Tinker Juarez, and Alex Grant along with none other than cyclocross legend Tim Johnson, who’s making his first attempt at the event. The strategy is simple, work as a team with well executed attacks to put the contenders on the ropes early.
But we’re not just limited to the Elite team. Also in attendance is Jon Hornbeck, a 21 year-old SoCal prodigy who retired from racing motocross, took up road racing and went from a Cat 5 to a Cat 1 in just over a year. Now, with all of seven days of mountain biking in his bank he’s gunning for a top finish on the decidedly roadie-esque Leadville course. We’re also making our mountain bike product manager Johs. Huseby fly the flag as well. As an established mountain, road and cyclocross racer Johs. will be proving he knows as much about riding bikes as he does about making them, a trait that bodes well for Cannondale consumers who rely on thoroughly proven mountain bikes. And in a noteworthy side note, both Tim and Johs, upon completion of Leadville will drive directly to Breckenridge to start the six-day Breck Epic mountain bike stage race the following morning.
Equipment choices are as diverse as our riders but the simple fact is that our 29’ers are ruling the day. Bishop, Juarez, Grant and Hornbeck chose sub 20-pound Flash Carbon 29’er hardtails for light weight and speedy big wheels on the 99-percent fireroad and pavement course. Though non-technical, sections can be bumpy so the Flash’s flattened SAVE carbon cross-sections and specific carbon layup on the rear stays and seatpost act like a micro-suspension system to deflect vertically and absorb trail chatter while remaining extremely rigid laterally for unmatched power transfer when it’s time to climb. This comfort to speed ratio will pay off nicely towards the end of the event as fatigue begins to set in. Both Huseby and Johnson will be campaigning the new carbon Scalpel 29’er. Its been completely redesigned compared to the 26’er with a real swingarm pivot (replacing the flexing Zero-Pivot) and 100mm of rear travel and at about 21-pounds it’s light and comfortable enough for not only the steeps of Leadville but the rigors of an seven day racing adventure where the body saving graces of full suspension are key.
If you’re in the Colorado high country be sure to stop by the Cannondale race support rig at either event, while our racers will have full mechanical support there will also be a collection of demo bikes around for test rides, including the all-new Scalpel 29’er featuring Lefty forks. Lefty is lighter, stiffer, stronger, and smoother than the competition which makes it ideal for big wheels when paired with our System Integrated front end, eliminating any weight penalty and the dreaded “sluggish” front end syndrome.
Check back for daily reports from the entire trip.
