The 2010 North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal was a hit -and no more so than for its past winners.
This year, the men's race was unique in that it featured every past winner of the Test of Metal since its first running in 1996.
Geoff Kabush, Max Plaxton, Carter Hovey, Michael Pruner, Chad Miles, Ruedi Schnyder, Andrew Kyle, Ricky Federeau and Neal Kindree all made it to the start of the chute.
Race Director Cliff Miller called the turnout of riders as well as volunteers and spectators "absolutely fantastic."
"All in all, a great year," he said.
After a few comments by Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre, District of 麻豆社国产Mayor Greg Gardner, the 15th annual Test of Metal started when more than 850 riders set off on the 67-kilometre course with 200 bagpipers playing.
"That was the highlight of the year for me. That was the highlight of 15 years for me actually," Miller said. "In 15 years, that was the best start we ever had."
Returning Test of Metal champ Kabush took home the glory again this year and set a new record with a time of 2:29:45 - 45 seconds faster than the previous best time established by Plaxton last year.
Kabush said he intentionally kept up a hard pace throughout the race because he was never really sure how close the nearest competitors were.
"You can never see more than a minute [back] so I was never too sure what my buffer was," he said over a cacophony of spectator cheers, ringing cowbells and vuvuzelas - the horns that have recently been making more than their share of ruckus at the soccer World Cup.
The elite racer said he had been looking forward to taking on the Test again after winning it in 1998.
"I've wanted to make it back here for a while," said the New Mexico-based rider.
"A lot of my favourite trails are here in B.C. so I've been looking forward to get back to this. It's fun being back in the woods, riding B.C. single-track."
Sechelt's Kris Sneddon finished second in the men's pro elite category, less than two minutes behind Kabush, while the 2010 Orecrusher winner Marty Lazarski nabbed a third place finish with a time of 2:39:00.
Former pro elite test of metal racer Neal Kindree cycled to victory in the men's 20-29 category creating a lead of more than 30 minutes between himself and his closest competitor with a time of 2:47:25.
"I'm really happy with it. It was what I was hoping for, under 2:50."
Kindree was the only racer not competing in the men's pro elite category to break into the top 10 over all race rankings.
"It's on par with any World Cup or World championship I've done."
Top 麻豆社国产male pro elite racer Brackendale resident Kelly Servinski earned the title of fastest 麻豆社国产racer by finishing at the 2:46:26 mark, a time that put him in eighth place in the over all standings.
Servinski said he's stoked about being the fastest local to cross the finish line.
"It's an honour, man. I could retire right now. Today was the best race I've ever had. I felt great."
With a time of 2:47:34, Garibaldi Highlands resident Dwayne Kress - last year's fastest local man - became the third fastest local man this year, but nonetheless said he's "extremely" happy because he hadn't been able to train as much this year.
"We just had a baby girl and she's taking more of my riding time, so there's more cuddling and less riding."
Catherine Pendrel defended her title as women's pro elite champ by finishing the course with a time of 2:51:53, one minute and 13 seconds slower than her 2009 finish.
"It was good. It felt like I was riding well," she said.
Pendrel rode so well she nabbed all 10 primes - the sponsor donated cash for the fastest male and female racers to reach certain pre-determined spots along the 67-kilometre course.
"I wasn't always riding as sharp as I wanted to but overall I have nothing to complain about," said the Kamloops-based racer.
Coquitlam's Sandra Walter took second place 15 minutes later while Catherine Vipond finished in third place with a time of 3:08:25.
Brackendale cyclist Brandi Heisterman finished first in the female 35-39 category with a time of 3:16:18, making her the fifth fastest women on the course and the fastest local woman to compete.
"I feel way more confidant by my results for the BC Bike Race."
Heisterman said she prepared for the Test by towing around her two toddlers Kianna and Hunter in a chariot over the winter months.
"It feels a lot lighter," she laughed.
She appreciated the energy boots she got from cycling through her hometown because it made peddling more bearable.
"I just had a smile on my face, all day. I was just so happy to be in pain."
Squamish's top female pro elite racer Carena Dean crossed the finish line in eighth place with a time of 3:34:04 while Garibaldi Highlands athlete Rua Read captured top spot in the female 40-44 category in 3:39:30.
Local Claire Harvey crossed the finish line in 5:02:02 finishing first in the female 50-54 category while Team 麻豆社国产sensation Lauren Rosser won first place in the female under 20 category.
