2002 CHEQUAMEGON

Sept. 14th, 2002 Cable, Wis. - Age has yet to slow Steve Tilford (Moots/Shimano), as the 42-year-old won his third Chequamegon 40 in a row. Tilford, Topeka, Kan. won his first Chequamegon at age 40 in 2000.

Tilford forged ahead halfway into the 40-mile mountain bike race with Jeff Hall (Salsa) and Doug Swanson (Trek/VW). The trio made their move coming out of the mud and rock-strewn Martel's Pothole.

Swanson was Tilford's first victim, coming off with fifteen miles to go. Then with ten miles to go, Tilford forged ahead up the Seeley Firetower Hill, and Hall couldn't respond.

"I didn't really punch it - he just came off," Tilford said. He eventually built his lead to over two miles on the second place Hall.

"I just ran out of energy," said Hall. "Once he got the gap on the climb, I couldn't get it back. I just didn't have it in the end."

Swanson, finishing third a minute behind Hall, admitted that Tilford was the strongest rider in the race. "Both Jeff (Hall) and I were yo-yoing off Tilford all day. He was the man today."

In the women's race, Mary Grigson (Subaru/Gary Fisher) powered her way to a seven-minute win over last year's winner, Catherine Walberg (Trek/VW). Grigson, five-time Australian champion, grabbed the early lead as the race exited the pavement and entered the dirt at Rosie's Field and never slowed.

"I raced harder than I do on the World Cup circuit", said Grigson, who rode a mountain bike with oversized tires. The hilly, point-to-point course and racing in a mixed field with men challenged the Canberra, Aus. native.

Walberg, riding stronger than the previous year, conceded the race early. "If it had to be someone, I'm glad it was her. Sometimes the best woman wins." Anne Grabowski (Nature Valley) finished third.

Former three-time Tour de France champion Greg Lemond started the race, but dropped out with ten miles to go due to mechanical problems.

Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 results
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