NC bikers dominate Fat Bike Championships
North Carolina bikers dominated the inaugural US Open Fat Bike Championships Saturday in Wrightsville Beach.
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Racers from four states competed in three divisions, covering distances of 24 miles, 16 miles and 8 miles, to accommodate expert, sport and beginner skill levels, officials said.
Participants were launched in three waves on a one-mile beach course. The stretch zigzagged the low-tide beachfront, challenging racers with a variety of obstacles and sand conditions.
“Globally, we’re seeing the sport of fat bike take off as another form of exercise to get people excited to get outdoors,” said event chairman Shawn Spencer. “It has opened up a new sport and terrain that people weren’t able to previously ride.”
Proceeds from the US Open Fat Bike Beach Championship will benefit the Wrightsville Beach Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public parks and community amenities.
2015 US Open Fat Bike Beach Championships Winners:
Expert Division – 24-miles
- Ben Brown #31, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:33:53
- Taylor Milleson #23, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:43:36
- Ed Kulbis #18, of Jacksonville, NC, time of 1:55:23
- Michael Vandenheuvel #9, of Cary, NC, time of 2:10:50
Sport Division – 16-miles
- William Sessoms #4, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:12:56
- Jason Laxton #32, of Boone, NC, time of 1:13:26
- Patrick Mulligan #3, of Wrightsville Beach, NC, time of 1:21:03
- Michael Bassano #26, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:31:04
- Dave Ellegood #7, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:32:05
Beginner Division – 8-miles
- Jonathan Ward #22, of Wilmington, NC, time of 43:44
- Chad McCain #2, of Jacksonville, NC, time of 44:17
- Jonathan DuBell #33, of Wilmington, NC, time of 45:08
- Matt Pugh #8, of Wilmington, NC, time of 49:53
- Jon Duplessis #29, of Wilmington, NC, time of 52:55
Youth Champion
- Tanner Dale #15, of Myrtle Beach, SC, time of 1:31:43 (8-mile)
Unicycle Division Champion
- James Turner #21, of Wilmington, NC, time of 1:46:29 (16-mile)
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