FOCUS. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Some of the faces before the start. Thank you for both your dedication and vision for creating a world class event in our backyard. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Before the start. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Some of the faces before the start. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Our future generation of racers singing our national anthem. A very moving moment and thanks all veterans for their service and sacrifices. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
The inhumanity of it all. Entering the abyss. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Todd Wells (Specialized) prepares to get his feet wet in a stream crossing at approximately the 1 hour mark in the race. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Alban Lakata (Topeak) finds his line before a stream crossing. Both Topeak riders opted to cross using the wooden bridge. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Greg Krause (Groove Subaru) takes in a stream crossing at about the 1 hour mark in the race. Krause went on to place 6th overall. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
A few riders working together trying to pull in the group in front of them. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Cameron Cogburn (SmartStop) pulling while Christoph Sauser (Specialized) sits on his wheel. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Scott Tietzel (Cuore) takes a roadie pull. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Yes, mountain bike racers do get some asphalt time in the Leadville 100 MTB. Cameron Cogburn (SmartStop) pulling while Christoph Sauser (Specialized) sits on his wheel and takes in the draft before his next pull. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Riders making their way up a short climb along the pipeline. Why is it called the pipeline? Because there is a natural gas pipeline along the trail. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Allison Powers (Herbalife) always a favorite with fans and media, and never shows any pain or suffering. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
A rider making his way towards the last climb before heading back to Leadville. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
It was a mad house entering the Columbine. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
This is Earl, one of the favotite moto refs in the Rockies, and always the lead bike most of the Leadville 100 MTB. Thank your officiaals and moto refs for all the long hard days making your race safe. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Kristian Hynek (Topeak) spent some time off the front only later to pay for his efforts. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Todd Wells (Specialized) making his way up the single track. © Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Christoph Sauser (Specialized) with Alban Lakata (Topeak) close behind making their way up the single track on the return trip to Leadville. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Alban Lakata (Topeak) makes his way up the single track. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Max Jenkins (Herbalife) makes his way up the single track on the return trip to Leadville. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Kyosuke Takei (Japan) either signaling he's delerious or having fun...maybe both. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Sally Bingham (Topeak) leading a small group of riders up the single track. Sally went on to take the win in teh womens field by over 30 minutes. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Todd Wells (Specialized) and his wife showing a little expression that he had a hard day at the office. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Christoph Sauser (Specialized) moments after crossing the line for a close second place. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014
Todd Wells (Specialized) trying to capture a little relief after taking a hard fought win. ©Dejan Smaic | sportifimages.com 2014