Intermontane Challenge Heads into its Sophomore Year
The five-day "cloverleaf" stage race is centered in Kamloops, British Columbia and will run July 26-31, 2010.
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In its second year, organizers of the Intermontane Challenge Mountain Bike Race are again beckoning riders to British Columbia.
The five-day “cloverleaf” stage race is centered in Kamloops, BC and will run July 26-31, 2010. Teams of two riders and solo racers will be competing, making two separate races within the race, said Chuck Brennan, owner of the Intermontane Challenge. The race loop on the first four days will start and end in Kamloops. The fifth and final day of the race will consist of a time trial in the heart of Kamloops.
Chris Sheppard and Sue Butler won the men’s and women’s solo fields in the 2009 race, each taking home $10,000 (Canadian). And while the first-ever Intermontane Challenge offered up one of richest purses in mountain biking, the race itself experienced first-year challenges like inadequate course marking and motorcycle support as well as general safety concerns.
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“The Intermontane team has changed three of the stages and the time trial will also have some small changes, which include running it on Saturday, July 31 to encourage more spectator support,” Brennan said.
Race organizers are also working with the local community to foster strong partnerships and develop a long-term, sustainable mountain bike program, Brennan said. Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar is supporting the event, noting that the race further diversifies Kamloops as a sports destination town. Tourism Kamloops is also putting their marketing might behind the endeavour, confident that the Intermontane will bring more adventure-oriented visitors to the area.
Early bird registration deals are in place for the Intermontane Challenge Mountain Bike Race.