“I must admit it was a very pleasurable experience," said Stoltz, who raced here at the XTERRA Mountain Championships in Beaver Creek for the first time today.  "I didn’t expect to come up here and have fun but it was a lot of fun.  The course is beautiful, and I was amazed at all the spectators even out in the middle of the forest. I saw a black bear up there while I was racing.  I heard some branches break and I could see it getting away and Josiah saw it too.  So, it was very memorable.  I was really surprised at my win. I thought Josiah was going to take it, because beating him on this course is really tough so I think I had a very special day.  I have to thank Specialized who put a lot of time and effort into my bike."

 

Stoltz came out of the mile-swim in the 66-degree waters of Nottingham Lake on the heels of leader Craig Evans and Branden Rakita, with Ben Hoffman directly behind him and David Henestrosa and Middaugh a minute back.

 

By the three-mile mark, and after the first of nearly four-thousand feet of climbing from the lake which sits at 7,400-feet, Stoltz led by a minute with Hoffman and Middaugh chasing together.  At mile 10, Middaugh moved into second but hadn’t closed the gap and by the bike-to-run transition Stoltz, who had the fastest bike split of the day in 1:09:46, had more than a two-minute lead.

 

“When you put together a good race and get beat it’s not because something went wrong, it’s just that you’re not fit enough,” said Middaugh, who has now finished runner-up to the “Caveman” in three of the last four races.  “Conrad had an awesome race and kudos to him for having that fitness and power that I’m going to be looking for in the next few months.”

 

Ben Hoffman had an incredible race in his first major XTERRA, and by the looks of his post-race grin it seems certain not to be his last.

 

“It was awesome today, I’m fired up, had fun out there,” said Hoffman, who had quite the support crew with the Specialized team in full force.  “I think most people hear XTERRA has a little more laid back vibe and fun atmosphere and being here definitely confirmed that for me.  Seeing it firsthand; the volunteers are psyched, it’s a well-run race, well-marked course, and super challenging but fair, an honest course.  There’s no hiding here, it’s what you got on the day.”

 

David Henestrosa from Spain, who is now living and teaching in Clearfield, Utah with his wife and two girls, won XTERRA Italy back in 2004 and last finished in the top 5 of a major XTERRA in the U.S. that same year at the Mountain Championships in Keystone, Colorado.  Today, he finished fourth.

 

“I feel OK in the altitude. I grew up just outside of Barcelona at a little over 4,000-feet and now in Utah its similar and its very comfortable.  I had a wonderful race, and am having so much fun racing XTERRA, it’s great to be here,” said Henestrosa.

 

Rounding out the top five podium was Cody Waite, posting his best finish of the season at one of the most grueling races in the Series.

 

Also of note, Ryan Ignatz – the overall amateur XTERRA National Champion last year – is back in the pro ranks where he belongs as proof of his sixth place finish. Brian Smith is back as well, and posted the fastest run to finish in seventh, with Branden Rakita (his dad David won the 60-64 division today) in eighth, newcomer Travis Macy in ninth, and Will Kelsay 10th.

 

PRO MEN   

 

Pl Name Age Hometown Time Points 

1 Conrad Stoltz 38 Stellenbosch, South Africa 2:07:05 100 

2 Josiah Middaugh 33 Vail, Colorado 2:08:24 90 

3 Ben Hoffman 29 Boulder, Colorado 2:10:40 82 

4 David Henestrosa 35 Clearfield, Utah 2:10:50 75 

5 Cody Waite 33 Lakewood, Colorado 2:13:57 69 

6 Ryan Ignatz 33 Boulder, Colorado 2:14:07 63 

7 Brian Smith 37 Gunnison, Colorado 2:14:12 58 

8 Branden Rakita 31 Colorado Springs, Colorado 2:16:50 53 

9 Travis Macy 29 Evergreen, Colorado 2:19:09 49 

10 Will Kelsay 30 Boulder, Colorado 2:20:55 45 

Also: Lewis Elliot (41), Craig Evans (37), Adam Wirth (34), Damian Gonzalez (31), Gered Dunne (28) 

DNF: Bradley Weiss, John Klish