Rocky Mountain wins at Fontana US Cup #1 and Absa Cape Epic Challenge

This past weekend marked the racing debut of the all new Maxxis-Rocky Mountain UCI trade team. After a successful training camp in Boulder City, Nevada testing their new bikes with Fox Racing, the team headed to Fontana, California to try out their new bikes and suspension before the start of the World Cup in South Africa on April 11-12. Going into Fontana, Maxxis-Rocky Mountain star rider Geoff Kabush was the heavy favorite for the win, having won all three years of the event. The expectations were high and competition was fierce, as all the big names of North American cross country racing were in attendance. From the gun, it was Kabush, Max Plaxton and Sid Taberlay of the Sho Air team, and Jeremiah Bishop of Monavie-Cannondale forming the initial lead group. Up against the strong Sho-Air team, Kabush rode steadily in his classic fashion waiting for the others to fatigue and on the final lap he launched his attack. By the time he came across the line for the win, Kabush had put 43 seconds on Plaxton and almost two minutes on Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski of Team Subaru-Gary Fisher. Kabush commented on the race, I was dealing with a bit of team tactics from the Sho Air guys but I felt pretty in control; I just wanted to ride a smart, smooth race, which is my trademark...I knew it would come down to the last lap. The DH riders didnt disappoint either, with Sabrina Jonnier overcoming an eye infection to place 3rd in the Pro Women DH and Cameron Cole coming a very close 3rd to hometown boys Eric Carter and Kevin Aiello. Maxxis-Rocky Mountain team rider Luke Strobel sat out the race, still resting his fractured collarbone before the World Cup gets underway. Rocky Mountain Bicycles is also proud to announce that Alison Sydor and her partner Nico Pfitzenmaier won six of the seven stages of the Absa Cape Epic Challenge on their way to capturing the overall victory. This is Alison second win in as many years, last year winning the women overall title with Rocky Mountain Pia Sundstedt. Sydor and Pfitzenmaier fought through scorching temperatures, flat tires, and tough competition to beat their closest rival, the team of Esther Süss and Marcel Bartholet of Switzerland by over 38 minutes. Alison rode her Rocky Mountain Vertex RSL, while Nico chose to ride an Element Team. Alison plans to contest the 2009 TransAlp Challenge and TransGermany stage races with partner Pia Sundstedt. Stay tuned for the start of the UCI World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa April 11-12. More Info: Visit Bikes.com Source: Rocky Mountain Bikes