Nearly 600 riders competed in the 24th running of the Laddies Loppet mountain bike stage race over Labor day weekend at Maplelag Resort. Rainy conditions on Sunday morning required a few changes in the course and kept the rider totals reaching the 600 mark but the weekend was deemed a success by race organizers.
Saturday racing featured a timed trial followed by the exciting spectator friendly short track racing in the afternoon.
Sunday’s main event featured a cross country race on ski trails and hand built singletrack for five different classes with various age categories from Beginner to Pro/Elite classes.
Pro riders Sara Kylander-Johnson from Duluth and Brendan Moore from Prior Lake swept all three races in the Elite class to take home custom made leader jerseys from Minnesota based company and sponsor Podiumwear. Detroit Lakes 2012 graduate and current Nordic ski team member at Saint Scholastica, Jake Richards, secured a podium spot with a fourth place overall finish. Nearly $4,000 was paid out to place winners in the Elite class.
The Laddies Lopppet weekend also saw the participation of riders from the NW MN Mountain Bike Team, started by Maplelag Mountain Bike Team member Anne Ellefeson, competing in their first race. Detroit Lakes students Will Greene and Will Stowman are part of the newly formed team comprised of riders from Park Rapids, Bemidji, Perham and Wadena area. They recently competed in their first Minnesota Cycling League event last weekend at Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville.
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Plans are already underway for the 25th running of the Laddies Loppet, which will see a return to its roots as far as the racing format, and will include events for the first time mountain biker to the seasoned pro.
