All-Star Elite Field Set For XTERRA Pan Am Champs

Press Release / 09.09.2017

Forty-four elites are scheduled to compete at the XTERRA Pan America / USA Championship race in Ogden, Utah next Saturday, September 16.

As the culmination of a series of off-road triathlons spanning South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and the U.S., the contenders are coming from near and far, and with $80,000 in prize money at stake and cameramen capturing all the action for a nationally broadcast one-hour TV show, the stage is set for XTERRA’s best to show what they can do.

The challenge starts with a one-mile swim in Pineview Reservoir (4,900-feet elevation), follows with an 18-mile mountain bike leg that climbs more than 3,000-feet to the top of Sardine Peak (7,300-feet elevation) and culminates with a 7-mile trail run featuring another 700-feet of climbing on trails around Snowbasin Resort in the Wasatch Range.  The course, they say, is best-suited for mountain goats.

In the last few weeks we’ve caught up with some of the race favorites including reigning champs Josiah Middaugh and Suzie Snyder from the U.S., and top contenders Bradley Weiss from South Africa (who just won the XTERRA European Championship) and Kara LaPoint from Colorado, but the talent goes well beyond those four.

In the men’s race Mexico is well represented with Mauricio Mendez, the current XTERRA World Champion. He was second to Middaugh at XTERRA Beaver Creek this year and 3rd at this race in 2014 as an 18-year-old.

XTERRA Argentina Champion Gonzalo Tellechea, who is currently ranked 5th in the Pan Am Pro Series, is on the start list along with his countrymen Andres Darricau and Mario de Elias.  Representing Brazil is Felipe Moletta, the reigning and three-time XTERRA Brazil Champion.

Jean-Philippe Thibodeau, who finished in the top four at four races this year and is ranked fourth in the Pan Am Pro Series, will carry the torch for Canada while rookie elite Cedric Wane (ranked 6th) represents Tahiti.

The Kiwi’s are in full force with Kieran McPherson, the XTERRA Thailand Champion who is ranked 3rd in the Series, Kyle Smith, who was 3rd at XTERRA New Zealand and the ITU Cross Tri World Champs in Canada a few weeks ago, and Alex Roberts.

The Aussies are led by Ben Allen, who finished 3rd at XTERRA Worlds twice in the last three years.

Markus Benesch and Dominik Wychera from Austria and Julien Buffe from France add a European twist to the mix.  For Buffe, ranked 8th on the tour, this will be the fifth race on the Pan Am Pro Series for he and his girlfriend Morgane Riou.

“Even if it was a tiring schedule with many travels between Europe and America, we don’t regret anything as we have discovered lovely places and beautiful races,” he said. “I’m very happy with my season which is my second as a pro on the XTERRA World Tour. I’ve reached the Top 10 at each race I’ve done on the Pan Am Tour and it is an unexpected result for me before the start of the season.  My best race was the last one at XTERRA Dominican Republic with my first podium on the Tour (5th) and the first victory for Morgane.  My goal in Utah is to enjoy the race and try to stay in the Top 10 of the Tour.”

And then there are the Americans, who will also be racing for the USA Championship title.

Branden Rakita leads the charge as the Pan Am Pro Series points leader, having finished in the top seven at nine events this season.  Sam Long could be the dark horse, he finished 3rd at XTERRA Beaver Creek behind only Middaugh and Mendez this summer.

Chris Ganter says he’s looking forward to another shot at this course, where he did his first XTERRA as a pro back in 2010.

“Every year I say ‘this course doesn’t suit me, etc, etc.’ but then I decide to come back with a new strategy. This year I’ve trained nordic skiing at high altitude, and it seems to have helped with my cycling performances above 5,000-feet, so we’ll see! Luckily, I’m coming into form at the right time after injuring my ribs five-weeks back.  It still hurts when I swim, so my strategy will be to get through the swim and really give’r on the bike and run!  JP Thibodeau and I are road-tripping down to Ogden from Boise in the RV, which should be a rad adventure in-and-of itself!”

Alex Modestou, after a busy legislative season with his “real job” as an education data and policy analyst, is hoping to find the form he had in 2014 when he finished fourth at this race.  Others in the mix include Walter Schafer, Michael Nunez, Ian King, and the senior statesman of the bunch, 42yo Brian Smith.

“I am grateful that I can continue this amazing and challenging sport into my 40s at the highest level, and definitely pleased with how the season has unfolded,” said Smith, who finished fourth at both XTERRA Oak Mountain and Beaver Creek and 7th in Mexico.  “The championship event at Snowbasin always brings out my best efforts.  I love the long, sustained climbing on the bike and challenging run that follows.  Both courses really suit my strengths and the lower altitude allows me to dig a little deeper into the pain cave.  I want to be top 5 with the hopes of a top 3 if everything is perfect.”