Marathon World Champion Alban Lakata stays focused on a berm saturated descent. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
The six-day Breck Epic cross country stage race kicked off Sunday with the Pennsylvania Loop, a 35.8-mille high altitude effort with a leg and lung busting 5080 feet of climbing.
The day's top performance was turned in by Austrian endurance ace Alban Lakata (Topeak-Ergon), who stopped the clock in 2:35:06 to take top honors in the 3-day open men's competition. Lakata is doing the first half of the Colorado race as preparation for next Saturday's Leadville 100. Fellow Topeak-Ergon riders Kristian Hynek and Jeremiah Bishop rounded out the top three for the day. They too are doing the three-day race, then heading up to Leadville.
In the men's 6-day competition Frans Claes (Loving Hut MTB Team), Ben Swanepoel (Squirt) and Carl Decker (Giant) accounted for the top three.
Evelyn Dong (Sho-Air/Cannondale) was first women across the line in 3:15:17. Serena Gordon (Liv Co-Factory) and Kelly Boniface (Moots) completed the top three in the women's 6-day category. Topeak-Ergon's Sally Bigham turned in the day's fastest time in the women's 3-day category (3:21:20). Bigham will also be headed to Leadville next weekend.
For full results visit breckepic.com. For more from Breckenridge, check out this expansive photo galley courtesy of ace snappers Eddie Clark and Liam Doran.
Racers line up for Stage 1: Pennsylvania Gulch of the 2015 Breck Epic. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Kristian Hynek of Team Topeak Ergon sails through the Aspen Alley trail. Hynek went on to finishing second for the day in the 3 Day Open Men's race only to be bested by his teammate Alban Lakata who took the win for the day. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Six Day Open Female, Kelly Boniface looking strong in the 6 Day Open Women's race finishing third on stage one. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
From the professional to the weekend warrior, the Breck Epic provides the stage for everyone to test their skills and endurance. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Top two singlespeed women Sara Sheets and Andrea Wilson together on the first descent. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Jeremiah Bishop and Alban Lakata on hot pursuit for their Topeak-Ergon teammate Kristian Hynek. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Continue to page 2 for lots more photos from stage 2 of the 2016 Breck Epic »
Carl Decker provides an expression of comedic reprieve as he makes he way to a 3rd place finish in the 6 Day Open Men's race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Ben Swanepoel had a steady ride to second place in the 6 Day Open Men's race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Sally Bigham puts the hammer down to make up a substantial amount of time after mechanical issues. She went on to win the 3 Day Open Women's race and came across the line 4th woman overall. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Breckenridge local Marlee Dixon keeps it steady and finishes 4th in the 6 Day Open Women's race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Evelyn Dong makes her presence known with the first stage win in the 6 day Open Women's race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
Andrea Wilson of Team 92fifty has a solid ride and descends her way to second place in the 6 Day Open Singlespeed Women's Race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
The racers were graced with immaculate weather to start out their week of racing. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark
The women's field has brought top talent from Utah, Oregon and the home soil of Colorado. Serena Gordon recovered from a flat early in the stage to finish second in the 6 day Open Women's race. Photo courtesy Breck Epic/Eddie Clark