andrew l'esperance - MTB Race News

Alexis Skarda & Cole Paton Wrap Up 2023 Moab Rocks Titles

Written by: Shannon Boffeli

Another cold start lead to a second day of heated racing at the sold-out 2023 Moab Rocks. With a start temperature of 30 degrees it was slightly warmer the yesterday while most riders still opted for tights and thick gloves for the frigid temps.

Stage 3, held at the Gemini Bridges trailhead, starts with some big climbs and a long section of jeep road before turning to singletrack. The lead groups powered up the climbs with Alexis Skarda (Santa Cruz HTsqd) leading the way but Juliana teammates Kaysee Armstrong and Evelyn Dong were just seconds behind.

Racers take the start on stage 3. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

The group stayed close throughout the race descending the snow-covered rocks on the Bull Run and Great Escape trails. Skarda slowly stretched her lead out while Evelyn Dong opened up a gap by cleaning a steep uphill slab of sandstone while Armstrong had to get off.

No one could catch Alexis Skarda on the final climb as the race leader danced her way up the final 1.5 miles of the Gemini Bridges road climb and crossed the finish line to win the day and take the GC title.

Racers shred the snow and slick rock combo at Moab Rocks 2023. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

The men’s race featured close racing as well. With Cole Paton (Orange Seals Academy) and Andrew l’Esperance (Maxxis Factory) separated by just 1/10th of a second.

After cresting the early climbs together the first attacks came from Bradyn Lange (Scott Sports), who started the day in third place and l’Esperance who opened up a gap to Paton. The race was on as the leaders set a grueling pace up the singletrack and rocks of the Getaway ascent.

The lead group on Bull Run with Bradyn Lange leading l’Esperance and Grotts. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

After climbing they had their hands full navigating the turns and drops of Bull Run after a light layer of snow blanketed the trail overnight.

After holding a slight gap for most of the race the leaders were caught by Cole Paton on the slopes of the final 1.5 mile climb up Gemini Bridges road with Howard Grotts (Specialized Off-Road) also joining the party.

Cole Paton on the move in Bull Run trail. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

The group bombed down the final stretches of Gemini Bridges road trading attacks to decide the winner of the 2023 Moab Rocks stage race.

Andrew l’Esperance held a slight margin just before the finish before Cole Paton jumped in front at the tortuous finishing chute to claim the title for Moab Rocks champion by just 6/10ths of a second.

L’Esperance finished second with Howard Grotts taking third.

Despite the cold temperatures racers were thrilled with the challenging trails and epic views on hand in the snow covered red rocks around Moab.

A light blanket of snow covers the race course. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

Alexis Skarda and Cole Paton now take a lead in the Singletrack Series with them to the next round May 5-6 in Skarda’s hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Stage 3 Results

Pro Women

Alexis Skarda (Santa Cruz HTsqd) 2.20.17
Evelyn Dong (Juliana) 2.21.15
Kaysee Armstrong (Juliana) 2.22.00
Deanna Mayles (Velocio) 2.27.50
Sarah Sturm (Specialized/SRAM) 2.30.24

Pro Men

Cole Paton (Orange Seals Academy) 1.58.54
Andrew l’Esperance (Maxxis Factory) 1.58.55
Howard Grotts (Specialized Off-Road) 1.59.02
Bradyn Lange (Scott Sport) 1.59.12
Stephan Davoust (Giant Bikes) 2.00.29

Click Here for full results from all categories

Click Here for full GC results from all categories

: The lead group on Bull Run with Bradyn Lange leading l’Esperance and Grotts. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: A light blanket of snow covers the race course. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Racers take the start on stage 3. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Cole Paton on the move in Bull Run trail. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Dan Nelson leads a group in the Mag 7 singletrack. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Racers hitting the drops in Mag 7. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Racer weaves through the slick rock with the La Sal mountains in the background. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Unbelievable amounts of snow for late March. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Racers shred the snow and slick rock combo at Moab Rocks 2023. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Racers are tested with all types of obstacles on course. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Just waiting for the finishers. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Endless scenery on hand at Moab Rocks. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

: Podium for the 60+ women’s category. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

Alexis Skarda and Cole Paton Take Opening Stage of Shortened Moab Rocks

Written by: Shannon Boffeli

After race officials neutralized stage one due to extreme conditions atop Moab’s famed Porcupine Rim trail racers started day two with everything in the tank. And despite the 28-degree temperature at the start nothing could cool this stacked field of North America’s best mountain bike racers.

Brave riders take on the elements on Porcupine Rim after the stage was neutralized. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

Today’s stage was also slightly modified from years past due to the unending moisture that has blanketed the west this winter. The course changes meant riders would the final 4 miles on the unrelenting EKG trail named because its profile looks like a reading from a heart monitor; nothing but sharp ups and downs. A challenging end to a demanding stage.

Alexis Skarda (Santa Cruz HTsqd) had a smooth race moving to the front early and staying clear for much of the stage. After the race, she reported, “there were so many men on the course I got in with a few and never saw any women most of the day.” Also stating she had to slow her pace on EKG to prevent any missed turns that plagued riders on the exceptionally turny trail.

They call it Moab Rocks for a reason. Photo courtesy of Transrockies/Tony Campono

Juliana teammates Evelyn Dong and Kaysee Armstrong finished second and third respectively signaling a strong start to the season for the team.

Cole Paton (Orange Seal Academy) took top honors in a thrilling sprint finish against Andrew l’Esperance (Maxxis Factory Racing) taking the win by just 1/10th of a second.

The lead finishing duo was followed just 50 seconds later by Bradyn Lange (Scott Sports). Lange finished third in last years Moab Rocks.

The 2023 Moab Rocks is also round one in the debut season of the Singletrack Series. A 4-race series featuring some of the most-demanding, trail-focused mountain bike events in North America. Round two happens on May 5-6 at the Grand Junction Rides & Vibes in Grand Junction, Colorado.