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Baja Epic - NE

Mexico, November 5-8, 2008

Schedule     Preview   

Schedule

  • Stage 1 - November 5: Rosarito - Santa Veronica, 65 miles
  • Stage 2 - November 6: Tecate - Ojas Negros, 81 miles
  • Stage 3 - November 7: Valle de la Trinidad - Mike's Sky Ranch, 53 miles
  • Stage 4 - November 8: Valle de Guadalupe - Rosarito Beach, 45 miles

Inaugural Baja Epic begins in Mexico

By Sue George

Tinker Juarez (Mona Vie / Cannondale)
Photo ©: Harlan Price
(Click for larger image)

The Baja Epic, a multi-day mountain bike stage race on the rugged Baja Peninsula in Mexico, joins the crowded endurance MTB calendar for 2008. The race, held in a warm locale and slotted into an open spot on the endurance calendar, will cover 244 miles in four days, with over 24,000 feet of climbing.

It will visit varied terrain including beaches, deserts, forests and mountains. The Baja Epic is being promoted by Too Much Fun productions, a company started by Mexican Armando Carrasco and American Rob Quinn in the 1980s.

Racers will start and finish in Rosarito Beach. Among the favorites signed up a day before the race were endurance veteran Tinker Juarez, Evan Plews and Ryan LaBar. Juarez has plenty of experience racing south of the US border, and Plews finished third overall in the 2008 National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series after regularly making podium appearances. Rocky Mountain's Andreas Hestler was previously announced as a competitor although his name was not on the start list received one day before the event.

No women were pre-registered.

Organizers are predicting mostly clear weather with possible sprinkles on the first day and perhaps more rain on the final day.

Riders looking for a one-day experience are invited to join in with stage four. They will start just behind the GC competitors and complete the full 45 mile stage route.