Scott-SRAM’s Kate Courtney led a Maxxis top-ten sweep of the women’s race, and Stan’s Pivot p/b Maxxis’ Keegan Swenson took a decisive victory in the men’s race, with Team CLIF’s Russell Finsterwald in second place and three other Maxxis-sponsored riders in the men’s top ten. The Whiskey Off-Road, the first of four events in the Epic Rides series, was held April 26-28.

Swenson successfully defended his 2018 championship, first topping the podium in Friday’s men’s crit and then winning the men’s backcountry by more than six minutes. “I like to ride my own race and not worry about what else is going,” he told velonews.com. “If I can get off the front or ride with just Russell [Finsterwald], that is pretty nice. Just be able to keep it smooth and not worry about anyone else.”

Finsterwald’s teammate Ben Sonntag took fourth place, CZracing’s Fernando Riveros took fifth, and Pivot-Infinit’s Taylor Lideen took ninth place.

Courtney opened a gap on her competitors during a climb before she reached the high-point of the 48-mile course. Her lead grew to a little over three minutes by the finish line. “Definitely the course was harder,” she said in comments to velonews.com. “I had no idea where anyone was. It was pretty hard to know the gap and how much longer, and so it really forced me to push the whole time, which was really great.” Courtney was followed by Stan’s/Pivot/Maxxis rider Chloe Woodruff in second place; Clif Pro Team’s Catharine Pendrel and Haley Batten in third and fourth; CZracing’s Erin Huck and Alexis Skarda in fifth and sixth; Stan’s Pivot p/b Maxxis’ Sofia Gomez Villafane in seventh; Clif Pro Team’s Katerina Nash in eighth; Stan’s No Tubes/Pivot Cycles/Maxxis’ Rose Grant in ninth; and Pivot/Stan’s Evelyn Dong rounding out the top ten.

The Epic Rides series picks up again May 17-19 in Grand Junction, Colorado. Maxxis congratulates Kate Courtney, Keegan Swenson, and all of these riders on their fine performances.

The Pro Women’s field, ready to rock n’ roll. ?@notubesmaster

Keegan Swenson rolling forward during callups. ?@notubesmaster

Kate Courtney in her element. ?@notubesmaster

The ladies mid-crit, sorting it all out. ?@notubesmaster

The pro men getting a little aero at the front of the pack.?@notubesmaster

Swenson all alone grinding up the grade. ?@notubesmaster

Geoff Kabush, nothing but smiles for miles. ?@notubesmaster

Courtney first across in Pro Women! ?@notubesmaster

And Swenson first across the line for the men! ?@notubesmaster

An all-Maxxis women’s podium! ?@notubesmaster

Maxxis took four out of five on the Men’s podium! ?@notubesmaster

The CLIF Pro Team enjoying the real reward. ?@notubesmaster