The second edition of the Blue Mountains Gravel Fondo in Ontario, Canada turned out to be a great event again. The event start location moved to the Osler Bluffs Ski Hill, a beautiful location located just 5 kilometers south of the town of Collingwood, a popular tourist location on the shores of Georgian Bay 120kms north of Toronto. The weather was ideal with blue skies and light windows, and a start temperature of 12 Celsius at 9am time. The course featured a 40km loop with 450meters of elevation gain.
The initial selection of 15-20 riders was made within the first 5kms and included last year’s female winner Devon Clark of Collingwood Ontario as the only woman in the group. Clark stayed with the group until a group of six riders formed a new selection on the 200meter climb 30kms into the race. The climb was followed by a technical muddy 3km section that required 1 to 2 dismounts to circumvent some deep muddy puddles.
The lead group was further reduced to 4 riders on the second lap after navigating these two key sections on the course. It was in the muddy technical section on the final lap that the later winner Ashlin Barry (CAN) made a decisive move and carried on solo finishing in a time of 3:28:22 averaging 34.6kph before his compatriot Ben Perry finishing 31 seconds back. Brennan Wertz (USA) finished 3rd 40 seconds behind Ashlin.
Devon Clark Continued on riding mostly solo after the lead group shattered 30km into the race and finish in a time of 3:46:39. Cyclocross rider Maghalie Rochette took second place. Anna Kicks (USA) finished in third place.
The top male age grouper Brayan Chavez (COL) won the 19-34 classification and finished 7th overall.
Other age group winners were as follows: Women: 19-34 – Lucy Hempstead (Ottawa, Can); 35-39 – Hilary Iwanowsky (Ottawa, Can); 40-44 – Naomi Wolfson (Toronto, Can); 45-49 – Courtney Meyet (Jonesville, Michigan, USA); 50-54 – Amy Phillips (Chattanooga, Tenn, USA); 55-59 – Denise Esposito (Mohegan Lake, NY, USA); Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, PA, USA); 70+ Anna Tykoliz (Port Colborne, ON, Can)
Men: 19-34 – Brayan Chavez (Tenjo. Col); 35-39 – Scott Plaxton (Toronto, Can); 40-44 – Jeff Shiller (St. Thomas, ON, Can); 45-49 – Chriss Pollett (Aylmer, ON, Can); 50-54 – Dorel Pop (King City, ON, Can); 55-59 – Bruce Bird (Scarborough, On, Can); 60-64 – Emilio Cervantes (Lake Forest, Ca, USA); 65-69 – Davis St-Lawrence (Garrison, NY, USA); 70-74 James Laird (Kingston, ON, Can); 75+ – Mark McCarthy (Rochester, NY, USA).
