Truckee Tahoe Gravel Race draws record turnout
Courtesy @truckeetahoegravel and @photowil
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Some of the top cyclists from across the globe put tire to dirt on Saturday for the annual Truckee Tahoe Gravel Race.
More than 700 competitors pedaled out from Riverview Sports Park, taking on three distances ranging from 19 miles up to 75.5 miles through the Tahoe National Forest.
The fourth edition of the annual race was originally scheduled for June 11 but was pushed back to Saturday due to last winter’s historic snowfall. Still, the event saw its biggest turnout in history with a total of 701 cyclists in the field, including several world-class athletes.
South African cyclist Matthew Beers, 29, took home the win in the 75.5-mile race, completing the route that took racers up and over the summit of Sardine Peak in
3 hours, 20 minutes, 17 seconds.
“Stoked to get the win,” said Beers. “It was a great time seeing this part of the USA and meting some rad people along the way.”
Pro cyclist Peter Stetina, who has organized past races in the Truckee-Tahoe area, came in second place with a time of 3:25.07.
“I couldn’t shake the big South African despite my best attempts,” said Stetina. “We climbed fast, and when it came time to descend I could only watch one of the world’s best (mountain bikers) float away.”
Northern California cyclist Ian Lopez de San Roman finished third with a time of 3:31:24. Cycling legend and a resident of the area, Levi Leipheimer equaled Lopez de San Roman’s time at 3:31:24.
“I’m pretty excited to see the evolution and tremendous success of (the Truckee Tahoe Gravel Race),” said Leipheimer in an Instagram post. “This sold out event has drawn quite the who’s who of the US gravel racing scene.”
Canada’s Haley Smith won the women’s division with a time of 3:57:48. The 2020 Olympian finished roughly 20 minutes ahead of the field of women.
Truckee’s Julie Young claimed second place with a time of 4:17:32, and was followed by France’s Jennifer Tave, who pedaled across the finish line with a time of 4:25:34.
The race, produced by Bike Monkey, was one of the most technical and challenging gravel races its hosted, according to organizers.
For full results, visit http://www.truckeegravel.com
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