Author: Iceman Cometh Chalenge

Once again, we have tons of horse power about to push each other to the limits of their bodies and bikes.    Race starts at 2:30 in Kalkaska. Don’t miss it.

Troy Wells

Troy, 32, is returning to defend is 2015 Pro Men’s win.  Hailing from Durango, Co., and races for Team Clif Bar Cycling. He finished 3^rd at the October 16^th US Open of Cyclocross. Apparently he is one of the riders on the Team Clif Bar with the most nicknames. “The Bear” and Trois Biscotti” are two of our favorites. We’re quite sure he enjoyed the 2015 Bell’s Sunset After Party since he pretty much closed it down.  We couldn’t stay awake that late.

@tdub255

Russell Finsterwald

Finsty, 25,  finished 4th in 2014 & 2015. He comes from Boulder, Colorado and races for SRAM | Troy Lee Designs Race Team.   He recently finished 3^rd at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Nationals STXC race.  He’s been racing Iceman since the time when he’d try to get a fake i.d. to get into the After Party and now he practically owns it.   @finsty  http://finsterwald.bike

 Todd Wells

Todd Wells, 40, of Durango, Co., races for SRAM/Troy Lee Designs, and is just killing it this year.  Although we know he has a history of winning including fourteen National Championship titles across four disciplines. This year he’s finished first in the following races: 1^st Sea Otter Classic XC, 1^st at Whiskey 50 Off Road Crit, 1^st Grand Junction Off Road 1^st, Leadville 100 and 1^st in the USA Cycling Marathon National Championships!  Be afraid other pro racers.  Be very afraid. Last year he finished 6^th overall.  @yotwells

Brian Matter

Brian, 37, finished 7th in 2015.  In 2016, he’s won the Midwest MTB Classic Day 2, New Glarus Road Race and the Sun Prarie Cup.   After his win in 2014, Brian holds the record for the most wins at 4!  Will 2016 make it a 5th?  We can’t wait to find out.  Brian is sponsored by Trek / Bontrager / Shimano / Pro Gold / JTree / Rock Shox.  He also rocks the Bell’s After Party.  Don’t miss it.  Find him at b-matter.com/ and on Twitter  

@TheWiscoDisco

Travis (TJ) Woodruff

TJ , 33, races for his own coaching company Momentum Endurance, and Pivot Cycles, his best finish is 7^th Always a solid rider, he’s not going to let any one take a break on Saturday.  His wife Chloe will be ripping it up with the Pro Ladies and was last year’s Champ.@tjwoodruff

 Ben Sonntag

Ben, 36, from Durango, Co finished 8^th in the 2015 Bell’s Iceman and 5th in the 2012.  He rides for 9niner bikes/ Team Clif Bar Cycling.  He finished 4^th in the US Cup/Bonlli Park XC #2. Welcome back Ben!@ZeGermanCyclist

Tristan Schouten

Schouten, 34, won the 2003 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  He finished 11^th last year. He hails Plymouth, WI and rides for Rolf Prima/Atitude Sports.@SchoutenTristan

 Brad White

Brad, 34,  resides in Holland, Michigan and races for UnitedHealthCare. He’s a former All-American collegiate swimmer and his renown sprinting skills have earned him the nickname “Captain America”. He won the Wilmington Grand Prix this year and has been spotted doing course recon.  @bwcycling

 Cole House

Cole, 28, placed 10^th last year. He hails from Oneida, WI. This year he came in 1^st in the Reforestation Ramble, 2^nd at Treadfest, and 4^th at Celtic Cross CX.  He’s raced every year since 2011, with his best result being 5^th in 2014.  @Cole_House

Stephen Ettinger

Stephen, 27, finished 5^th in 2013.  He is also a member of Team USA.  He comes from Cashmere, WA. He’s certainly looking for the top step this year.  He’s been spotted this week in the woods of Northern MI with the crew from Einstein Cycles. @settinger_

Spencer Paxson

Spencer (Bellingham, Wash./Kona Bicycles Factory Team) is new to Iceman but definitely not new to racing. He’s a 6x US National Team Member and 2x Olympic Long Team Member.  Welcome Spencer! @slaxsonMTB

 Howard Grotts

Howard, 23, was the only member of the 2016 USA Men’s Olympic Mountain Bike team. He is a newbie to Iceman. He races for Specialized and was 2014 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships U23. Welcome Howard!  @HowardGrotts

Isaac Neff

Isacc, 30, rides for Neff Cycle Service.  He was 18^th 2015 and 6^th in 2014. In 2016, he finished 1^st in the Midwest MTB Championships day 1. He says his bike and his body are dialed and ready for this year! @neff_Isaac

Rob Squires

Rob, 26, races for Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team.  He won the Fat Bike World’s this year.  It’s his first Iceman, but we think he’s gonna love it!  Welcome! @robthesquire

Payson McElveen

Payson, 23, of Durango, Co. races for  RideBiker p/b Sho-Air .  He finished 8^th at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Nationals, XC.  Welcome Payson!

Don’t forget our top local racers who know the course and plan on giving the pro’s a run for their money: 

Jorden Wakeley

Jorden is racing a new bike from Cannondale, for a new sponsor M22 and has a new hunger that he didn’t have last year.  He’s in this race to win it and we can’t wait to watch him try.  He finished 9^th last year, has podiumed at many Michigan races this year including winning Ore2Shore and is the 2015 Arrowhead Ultra winner. @JordenWakeley

Alex Vanias 

Alex, (Team OAM Now), placed 12^th last year and just won Peak2Peak.  He’s fast on skis and bike, don’t let his quiet personality fool you…he’s an animal.

Jeff Owens

Jeff will be racing for Keen Technical.  It’s his first time at the big dance but that doesn’t make him a wall flower.  Jeff is humble, but has a stamina and speed that is the envy of Traverse City.

Sean Kickbush 

Sean, (M22 racing) is part cyclist, triathlete, business owner, barista, and bartender but he is 100% a competitor. 

Cody Sovis,

Cody (Einstein Racing), won the Men’s Fat Bike division last year.  He’s no stranger to the Pro Race, but this year he’s rebuilt himself.  He’s faster. Stronger.  And quite possibly the funniest blogging cyclist we know.  Kolotc.wordpress.com

It’s gonna be good folks.  So, so good.