This is simply an amazing photo and sequence of images from the finish of the 2016 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Silverton this past Saturday. The entire race we were getting reports from the local radio station follow car that these five riders had been attacking each other since early on Coal Bank pass. It stayed together until the finish and the long gradual uphill finish, nearly 1.5 miles long and straight was shaping up to be full of drama. Ned Overend (5 time winner) along with Todd Wells, Ben Sonntag, Payson Mcelveen and Christopher Blevins, whi the weekend before had one a World Cup Mountain Bike race in Germany lined ti up and started the sprint from way out, maybe 400 meters. about 50 meters from the finish, Blevins began to come around Mcelveen and something went terribly wrong. Speculation there was a touch of wheels sending Blevins into this violent crash over the bars and head first into the pavement in front of a stunned crowd as well as myself who was calling the finish. It was a terrifying crash. Thankfully, Christopher walked away with a squished helmet, broken glasses and some cuts and bruises, nothing major. He will be back soon. Payson Mcelveen took the sprint over Sonntag and Wells and Overend got caught out behind the crash....amazing imgaes from the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic staff.
