{"id":95,"date":"2017-10-31T22:14:10","date_gmt":"2017-11-01T04:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iceman.saffire.com\/blog\/?p=95"},"modified":"2017-10-31T22:14:10","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T04:14:10","slug":"welcome-out-2017-pro-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/2017\/10\/31\/welcome-out-2017-pro-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome out 2017 Pro Men!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Welcome<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s another great year of the men’s best mountain bikers, coming to race for the title of Champion of the 2017 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  Everyone’s a contender and it’s going to be amazing to watch.  Don’t miss it.  Check out the full sortable list of racers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howard Grotts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howard, 24, the winner of the 2016 Bell\u2019s Iceman Cometh Challenge, is back to keep his title. He was first in the Leadville 100 this year, won his third consecutive cross country mountain bike national championship, and won the Breck Epic. He’s going to be tough to beat.  He races for Specialized and for the 2017 Ice Trophy.  @HowardGrotts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian, 37, finished 2nd in 2016.  After his win in 2014, Brian holds the record for the most wins at 4!  Will 2017 make it a 5th?  We can\u2019t wait to find out.  Brian is sponsored by Trek \/ Bontrager \/ Shimano \/ Pro Gold \/ JTree \/ Rock Shox.  He also rocks the Bell\u2019s After Party.  Don\u2019t miss it.  Find him at b-matter.com\/ and on Twitter  @TheWiscoDisco<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl Decker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl, 42 racing for Giant took us all by surprise and worked hard for 3rd in 2016.  He won the 2017 Lost and Found gravel race, and we can\u2019t wait to see if he can win the Bell\u2019s Iceman Cometh Challenge. A Native Oregonian, according to Carl the worst place on earth is \u201cOn a TT bike\u201d.  @<\/strong>deckerator<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Todd Wells<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Todd Wells, 41, of Durango, Co., races for SRAM\/Troy Lee Designs, and has announced his retirement.  We\u2019re not sure if this is his last race, but we are sure glad we get to see him crush it on our course. When asked about retirement he said, \u201c…I’m looking forward to being more present and taking the time to enjoy the ride. And eating more cookies.” We\u2019ve got cookies at the finish for you Todd.   @yotwells<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Sonntag<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben, 37, from Durango, Co finished 5th in the 2016 Bell\u2019s Iceman.  He rides for 9niner bikes\/ Team Clif Bar Cycling.  Ben got 4th in the Grand Junction Off-Road and 4th at the Iron House Bicycle Classic. We heard he had a bad crash in August, so we\u2019re glad he\u2019s come to race! @ZeGermanCyclist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payson McElveen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payson, 24, of Durango, Co. races for Orange Seal Cycling.  He\u2019s had some big races this year including Marathon National Champion for 2017 and 3rd at the  Leadville 100.  He finished 6th last year but we think he\u2019s got more in him than that.  @<\/strong>PaysonMcElveen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen Ettinger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen, 28, finished 7th in 2016.  He is also a member of Team USA.  He comes from Bellingham, WA and finished second at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships this year right behind Howard Grotts. We\u2019ll see if that order changes on Saturday. @settinger_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russell Finsterwald<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finsty, 26, comes from Boulder, Colorado and races for SRAM | Troy Lee Designs Race Team.   Russell has had some close battles this year with fellow pro racers but it\u2019s his history with Iceman that could be the winning combination Saturday.  He\u2019s been racing Iceman since the time when he\u2019d try to get a fake i.d. to get into the After Party and now he needs to pass it to Christopher Blevins<\/a>.  @finsty  http:\/\/finsterwald.bike<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troy Wells<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troy, 33, was our 2015 Pro Men\u2019s winner.  Hailing from Durango, Co., and races for Team Clif Bar Cycling. He\u2019s know for eating a ridiculous amount of food, including a burrito the size of a large house cat.  Whatever works but we know Troy is fast, and we\u2019ll see if they Ice Trophy will be his on Saturday. @tdub255<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geoff Kabush<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kabush, 40,  was the winner in 2013, 2nd at 2014\u2019s \u201cMudman\u201d and 3rd in 2015. The three time Canadian Olympian currently rides for Scott Cycles and recently won the Trans-Cascadia and the Downieville Classic, so our Northern Michigan trails should be easy for him. Kabush (k-Boom) has been racing in Canada since he was 15 and is a 13 time Canadian National Champion.  @GeoffKabush<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travis (TJ) Woodruff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TJ , 34, races for his own coaching company Momentum Endurance, and Pivot Cycles, his best finish is 7th.  His aspirations are to \u201cHelp athletes reach their best.\u201d  We can’t wait to see his best on Saturday! @tjwoodruff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cole House<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cole, 29, is the 2107 National Fat Bike Champion.  He hails from Oneida, WI.   According to Peleton Magazine, \u201cHouse\u2019s mother had given him the Indian name Tekastoslunti, which roughly translates as \u201cfloating feather.\u201d\u201d  We\u2019ve witnesses that.  He took last year off but we\u2019re glad he\u2019s back!   @Cole_House<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac Neff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isacc, 31, rides for Neff Cycle Service.  His best finish was 6th in the infamous 2014 Mudman, so if the rainy\/snowy weather continues, he might be in his element. He\u2019s also the first  two-title winner taking the 2017 Singlespeed Cyclocross National Championship.  The man\u2019s got grit. @neff_Isaac<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam Morka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam, 31, is both a racer himself and coach to Emily Batty.  Emily isn’t racing this year but we’re excited to see Adam jam on our trails.  He’s finished just outside the top ten in the past. @adammorka<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott Quiring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After taking a few years off, Scott Quiring is back!  Scott is a 3 x Bell’s Iceman winner from the late 90’s. He has his own bicycle company, did some grueling races this summer (Leadville, Marji Gesick, and more) and is ready for the start line. @QuiringCyclesLlc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please welcome a Bell\u2019s Iceman newbie:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Christopher Blevins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christopher, 19, races for Axeon Hagens Berman.  He\u2019s our youngest pro but don\u2019t underestimate him. Welcome Christopher! @<\/strong>chrisblevs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget our top local racers who know the course and plan on giving the pro\u2019s a run for their money: <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Jorden Wakeley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jorden is racing for M22 and Suttons Bay Bikes<\/a>. He\u2019s expanded his types of racing this year, he\u2019s suffered and he\u2019s got the whole crowd cheering for him.  He\u2019s also the 2015 Arrowhead Ultra winner so you know the worse the weather, the stronger he is. @JordenWakeley<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Vanias<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex, (Team OAM Now), placed 11th last year.  He finished 8th at Peak 2 Peak, but we\u2019re pretty sure that was just a warm-up for Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Owens<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff will be racing for Keen Technical.  2016 was his first time racing Pro for Iceman.  He learned a lot from the experience and we\u2019re going to see that put into action Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sean Kickbush<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sean, (M22 racing) was a late registrant this year.  Maybe he was trying to throw off the competition but we know he\u2019s got an strong engine and is ready for Saturday. @skickbush<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cody Sovis<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cody (Norte), has the impressive rank of 1st for Pro\/Cat1 racers on Ice Society for October.  He has dedication, time in the saddle and this race is in his backyard. Trifecta.  Kolotc.wordpress.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t gets much better.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s another great year of the men’s best mountain bikers, coming to race for the title of Champion of the 2017 Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge.  Everyone’s a contender and it’s going to be amazing to watch.  Don’t miss it.  Check out the full sortable list of racers. Howard Grotts Howard, 24, the winner of the 2016 … Continue reading “Welcome out 2017 Pro Men!”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[69,103],"class_list":["post-95","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-regular-news","tag-iceman","tag-pro-men"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iceman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}