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Kate Courtney (She Sends Racing) and Brennan Wertz received on dwelling roads of northern California at Huffmaster Classic, the second cease of the five-event Grasshopper Adventure Series.
In her first look on the 90-mile Huffmaster, the two-time US mountain bike champion and U23 silver medallist at MTB Worlds set a brand new course report for elite ladies in 4:17:25. She beat Anna Yamauchi by slightly below 4 minutes. Anna Gibson was one other 12 minutes again for third.
In January Courtney debuted a group setup as She Sends Racing, her non-profit to “get extra ladies on bikes”, and new tools with Allied CycleWorks, scoring the victory on the Grasshopper opener at Low Gap. She then travelled to South Africa for coaching and to compete within the Tankwa Trek mountain bike stage race, which she received.
Wertz, the reigning US Gravel nationwide champion, launched his 2025 season in Maxwell, California with the victory, including a second consecutive win at Huffmaster. He put in a niche to his closest rivals on the ultimate miles of the downhill gravel to complete solo in 4:04:20. The combat for the ultimate two podium spots went to Lance Haidet, who was fifth final 12 months, as he out-sprinted Tim McBirney on the line for second, ending 49 seconds again.
Huffmaster’s mixed-surface, punchy course supplied 4,866 ft of elevation acquire. While the climbing was not as vital as different Hopper occasions, the vast majority of the filth sections have been packed into the ultimate half of the big loop east of the Snow Mountain Wilderness space in Colusa County, recognized for its technical descents.
The males’s and ladies’s professional fields began collectively, with group ways taking part in out for the primary 40 miles after which the primary gravel climb blowing the sphere aside. With quick, dry circumstances this 12 months, Wertz made his transfer on the Huffmaster Road gravel part with below 10 miles to race.
“It’s at all times a large pleasure to race this stunning course and it actually by no means disappoints. The race is at all times quick, enjoyable, and tremendous dynamic. Yesterday was no exception,” Wertz posted on Instagram.
Wertz has included Huffmaster as a part of his early-season take a look at since 2021, now including a 3rd win and by no means ending decrease than fourth place. Last 12 months in muddy circumstances, Wertz received forward of Peter Stetina and Sean Bennett, with Lance Haidet in fifth and Lachlan Morton in eighth. Prior to race day, Wertz informed Grasshopper founder Miguel Crawford that he would simply search for a chance to place his rivals in bother, and he did simply that.
“Last 12 months the most important technique was to keep away from the mud. In the grand scheme of issues, it is a comparatively simple course.[It’s] tremendous quick, flowing, cheesy filth this time of 12 months, is so optimum for the slicks. A quick setup and tremendous grippy in the event you get the stress proper,” he informed Crawford and proved his level with a solo victory on Saturday, returning with Rene Herse tyres that made a distinction once more.
“There’s alternatives for somebody like me to make it actually exhausting for lots of different individuals within the race. I’m at all times searching for moments to make it more durable for everybody else.”
The two programs at Huffmaster noticed registrations close to the 500-rider mark this 12 months. Proceeds from the Huffmaster Grasshopper assist Adventure Therapy Foundation, which serves households dwelling with most cancers.