Sweet Start

Famous (or infamous?) announcer Dave Towle has always called fourth place the "Chocolate Medal." So far this season, the Evol Elite Racing crew has gotten our fair share of fourths, but fortunately it hasn't gone to our hips yet.

Photo: Terri Irsik Smith

Spencer finished fourth two weekends ago in Littleton at No Gravel Cross, and this past weekend, Jess and Ken did him one better with two chocolate medal finishes.

The women's race was a battle for third, with first and second place well ahead, even during the early stages of the race. Jess played it cool and rode comfortably in a group of several women who were all vying for final spot on the podium. She went to the front on the last lap, and although she couldn't clinch third, she did earn a solid fourth place, her best result yet this season.

The men's race was a tactical test with a couple heavy-hitters going back and forth with attacks on the major hill right after the finish. Spencer did his best to follow the moves, but eventually spent all his matches once the race came back together with one lap to go. Fortunately, Ken was waiting in the wings to attack the chase group for third. Josh and Grant got tangled up with other racers on the high speed track, but they finished in one piece.

The tent village was in full effect at Valmont!