For two and a half laps at the Orecrusher on Saturday (May 12), it looked like Sechelt's Kris Sneddon was going to get his revenge on Squamish's Neal Kindree.
Last Saturday (May 5), Kindree won first place on Sneddon's turf at the Sunshine Coaster and Sneddon was hoping to return the favour on Kindree's home turf in the trails of Brackendale.
But then Kindree turned it on.
I caught Kris basically half way through the last lap, Kindree said. I was sucking his wheel [drafting] up the road and passed him on the main climb.
Kindree beat out Sneddon by just over eight seconds despite his rival leading the pack for most of the race, including an incredible start that saw him easily keep up with the pace car.
I thought you guys were going to come with me, Sneddon joked to Kindree after the race. I was hoping to get my revenge but maybe next time.
The winning time of 1:50:54.2 is the fastest for the race since 2009 and marks the second consecutive win at the Orecrusher for Kindree. Whistler's Greg Day placed third with a time of 1:55:23.9 and young phenom Quinn Moberg placed fourth with a time of 1:59:42.8. The Team 麻豆社国产member said it was a good day.
I felt really good and it's a big confidence booster for me to finish so close to guys like Kris and Neal, he said. I was feeling pretty sluggish at the start of the year but I'm starting to feel better now, the race was a lot of fun for me today.
The Elite Women's division was won by Coquitlam resident Sandra Walter, who blazed through the course in 2:12:08.8. Walter was making her debut at the Orecrusher and said she enjoyed the ride.
I felt pretty good and it's a really fun course, she said. There's not really much climbing and there was lots of roots.
Walter said she enjoyed the mass start that began at the Republic Bike store in Brackendale and added that she was aware that she had the women's division lead in the bag from early on.
I had a good start and could tell I was first right from the start, she said. My goal was just to keep pace with the guys and I did for most of the race.
Squamish's Rua Read placed second amongst all women with a time of 2:17:40.7.
Check the print edition of The Chief for more coverage and full results from the race.
