At the start of the three-lap race, Chris Sheppard (Team Haro/Lee Dungarees) immediately took a hold of the lead as he rocketed up the course’s first climb. Sheppard was obviously practicing for next week’s World Championship race, in which the start is brutally fast paced. South American rider, Diego Garavito of the Columbian National Team, quickly followed suit as he bridged the gap between himself and the Haro rider. Riding in third, Bishop began reeling in the two riders, though he was doubtful he would be capable of matching their pace. By the top of the relentless climb the trio was riding together through a wet and rooty singletrack section of trail. This first technical section was difficult for the Columbian rider and the leaders dropped him. Sheppard sprinted for the lead position going into the main downhill in attempt to slow Bishop and his disc brake equipped Fuel 100 mountain bike. Sheppard’s tactic worked as he blocked the Trek rider from escaping him on the infamous “Lizard’s Lane” downhill. Bishop put on the pressure up the second ascent of Sugar Mountain’s tough fire road climb. He attacked again on the following section of singletrack, moving into a fifteen second lead. Bishop continued with hopes of getting to the bottom of the mountain and beginning the last lap as the race’s leader.