BC Bike Race Day 6, Campbell River.

Snowden shows BC Bike Race some love - The Green Room

Campbell River offered a distinctive difference to the previous 5 days terrain - lower over all vertical, set amongst towering firs, electric green moss and towering jurassic ferns. What could be a more epic transition from the Queen stage to the final day.

In cooking up a race route, planning and curating a course, this means punctuating hard days with not easy, but less difficult days, but ohhh, the quality of the singletrack and the beauty of this location. An affirmation of the Ultimate Singletrack Experience.

Snowden shows BC Bike Race some love 

Variety is the spice of life so, for Day 6, BC Bike Race switched it up. Gnar, tech and steep climbs were switched out for some easy speed and winding tunnels of green in Campbell River. That brought sweet relief for some racers or, for others, a different challenge of constant pedalling. 

On Saturday, that meant a full 45km on the gas, though with a more forgiving 736m of elevation gain and loss through the Snowden Demonstration and Elk Falls Provincial Park. 

Speed reading and a new stage winner in Campbell River 

Speed comes with its own challenges, especially when riding blind. Decisions came at the lead men a little too fast on Saturday, as several of the top riders missed a corner early on. That left Australian Matthew Bird off the front to start, then Peter Disera with a gap to the GC leaders. 

"I just happened to realize it 30-seconds into it, we had taken a wrong turn. I yelled, but I was still 30 feet back. I realised I had an opportunity to take advantage to get away from the top three and it still took me like, 10-15 minutes to get back up to the front. Once I did, I just pinned it hoping I could stay away.” 

That didn’t work out to well, as the dueling pair of race-leaders Sean Fincham and Matt Wilson caught up to Disera in the dying kilometres of the stage. 

“I yo-yo’d off them all through that last bench-cut singletrack. When we popped out on the road, they were playing cat-and-mouse for the GC time and I hooked back on, and then, I got them both in the sprint.”

It’s the two-time BC Bike Race champ’s first stage win of the 2025 BC Bike race, sneaking in with just one day of racing remaining. 

“I very consciously decided that this was probably my chance at a stage win this year, so I went quite deep today, right away, and then was just lucky enough that it came down to the sprint and I was able to do something,” Disera says, adding “It’s weirdly one of the harder stages. You’re pedalling the entire time and constantly accelerating back up to speed and navigating’s hard because it comes at you so fast. And that finish is just diabolical, that last kilometer and a half uphill in loose, soft gravel…” 

“Matt and I were more focused on each other and Pete got the good jump and got the sprint, No time gained or lost. One more frickin day man, I’m ready,” said Fincham of a somewhat chaotic day. With just a one minute lead over Wilson, how is Fincham approaching the final day? “Defence. Defence, then offence.” 

Matthew Bird spent much of his first BCBR floating around inside the top-10. With his clear navigating Saturday, the Australian racing for Easton Overland landed his first top five of the week. It takes more than good course reading to make it into the top five, though, and Bird had the legs to back his early effort up over 45km of racing. 

“Today probably suited me a bit better, just because the sight lines are a little better so you can really open it up a bit more. Yesterday was pretty tricky to ride blind, with a lot of exposure. But today was fast and flowy, it was a nice mixup.”

It’s the Australian’s first BC Bike Race appearance. Six days in, how is Bird finding the Ultimate Singletrack Experience”

“Tiring! Nah, it’s been a really good week. It’s always been a bit of a bucket list event for me. When I saw they were changing the format after next year, I figured I better get in while I still can,” says Bird. “Looking forward to finishing it off tomorrow then giving the hands a bit of a rest.”

The Extra-Ultimate Singletrack Experience 

While most of the field is starting to feel the cumulative effect of six-straight days of racing, Rob Britton and Cory Wallace are, unofficially, on day 11. As if BCBR wasn’t hard enough, both raced Oregon Trail gravel stage race, endured a hectic travel day, and lined up less than 24 hours later for the prologue on Maple Mountain. It’s an effort that would destroy most humans but the two Canadians are just cruising along. They’ve built momentum throughout the week and are sitting in the top 10 after Campbell River. 

“I think we’re just going the same speed as the other guys are getting a bit fatigued,” Wallace says, attempting to explain their physiological feat. “We came in the same speed they’re at now. We both have big engines, so we’re just having fun with it now.”

“There’s only so much damage you can do in two hours, then you get 22 hours to put the pieces back together,” Britton says, detailing how his ultra-endurance training is kicking in late into BCBR. “This is kinda what I guessed: I figured after about Thursday (Day 4) I’d get to a point where everyone else is getting a bit more fatigued and I’m recovering more. “For me, it’s just getting used to riding the mountain bike. The first few days my brain was fried and it takes a lot of brain power to drive the bike. It took a few days to get used to it. That and switching over from 30-minute climbs to 30-second climbs”

While most people would be in an ever-darkening world of hurt, neither rider seemed bothered by the cumulative fatigue of their double-effort. Even after Britton podiumed in Oregon and Wallace started the effort off with two days suffering through a stomach bug. 

“It’s fun, we’re both sort of in our own world,” Britton says. Today, both started off the front of the field in the fast, gravel road start to Stage 6, without going off course, and finished in the top 10 again. “We’re both so far out of concern for the actual bike racers that you just know they’re thinking ‘Ok, just let them go have their fun, we’ll catch them soon enough,’ I’ve been on the other end of that before, so it’s kinda hilarious.” 

Racing through tunnels of green in the often-under trafficked trails of Campbell River certainly makes it easier to enjoy yet-another day of racing. 

“This stage is very unique, it’s very old school,” Britton says. “That new descent today, that was rad. It’s rare to be able to do a descent and none of the berms are clapped at all. If I knew how to put a bike in the air it’d be a lot of fun.” 

Britton currently leads the two-person cumulative GC, ahead of Wallace. “I think I had about an hour-and-a-half over him in Oregon, and I think today solidified it if you count stages. He got me on the first three, so I guess I can ease up now,” jokes Britton. 

The race isn’t over yet, though. The final day in Cumberland may be shorter, but there’s still lots of opportunities to shake up the standings. 

“I think we’ll see a few riders blow up tomorrow. The last day’s always one of the toughest. You underestimate it until you get into the heat of it, until you get into that fireroad climb an hour into it, “says Wallace. He and Britton are battling for position with Ontario’s Seamus Carlyle. “ We have a good little battle going with Seamus for eighth right now, so that’ll be fun.”

Shakeups and Consolidations 

The women’s event did see a minor shake-up overnight, with Maghalie Rochette forced out of the race with a broken hand sustained during Day 5 racing in Cumberland. That moves Usha Khanal into the final podium spot. On Saturday, though, it was Starla Teddergreen taking third on the stage. 

Up front, though, Sandra Walter maintained her iron grip on the women’s overall standings. 

“Of course it was fun, again. I always like the trails in Campbell River,” Walter says. “It’s almost, I want to say easier but it’s still hard. It’s smoother, flowier, a little bit less climbing and you cover a lot of ground, which is fun. One more to go!”

With Rochette unfortunately out of contention, Walter and second place rider Katerina Nash are relatively solidified in their podium positions. That doesn’t mean they’re not feeling the effects of the race. 

“Today was a good day, but my pace is slowing. From the get-go, I was feeling pretty tired. But I found some friends and had a fun few good trains through the singletrack,” Nash shared. “For a not-so-climbing course, it was pretty heavy on the legs.”

“I’m just excited to ride more Cumberland tomorrow,” Nash admits. “And, if all goes smoothly, we’re going to depart for Hornby Island tomorrow. I already have that beach on my mind!” 

Long awaited returns and permanent residency, of a sort 

Beyond the open races, Jeff Johnston is leading the 40+ men’s solo race, sitting ahead of the Netherlands’ Arjan Leenstra and Calgary, Alberta’s Adam Phillips. The Bend, Oregon local was laughing his way down Dean Martin and Ridge Trail even at the end of 45km. 

“Today was fantastic! That six mile gravel road start was a bit abusive, but it was fun to be in a peloton. Our friend said it made the craziest sound when we went by and all those people, all those knobby tires, whipping by at like 35 miles an hour down through some of those dips,” Johnston relates. “It was front loaded with some really fun, chunky trails, like green slabs where I come from. And then, it just got progressively easier throughout the day, culminating in the lovely buff, brown carpet through the woods, jump over stuff and try not to overcook the corners.”

Johnston was still this stoked, despite a leader’s jersey covered in holes and blood showing on more than a few body parts. 

“I think that was on the Fox Timed DH, but it’s fine,” Johnston says with a shrug and a laugh. “I don’t mind donating a little bit of skin to Canada. Part of me can be here forever!”

While Johnston is leaving part of himself here, René Vallée from France, finally made his way back after first taking part in 2015. This year, Vallée is leading Al Saunders and Glenn Woodruff, both of North Vancouver in the 60+ men’s race. 

“I first heard about BC Bike Race from friends who have already done it. I did it 10 years ago. I said it was a race that I absolutely had to do again because for me it's the paradise of the single track.”

Winning the apres race 

BC Bike Race is more than just a race, of course. When it comes to winning, it’s hard to beat the group of six Belgians who are having the time of their lives, creating a camping zone out of their two RVs with a campfire, music and well, probably some beverages. There’s Wim Wijnen, Roel Everts, Ives Peulen, Johan Truijen,  and we’re going to say they’re led by Maarten Gofflo and Bram Mermans, racing together as Tandjen By Mthrfckr. What does that translate to? 

“Ehhh…. ‘Put the Gas on’” Bram explains to laughs from the rest. We’ll leave you to look up a more honest translation, if you want. But the six Belgians are here for the same reason as everyone else:

“The trails! It’s our first time in B.C.” says Bram.

What trails stand out so far? Well, they’re about as clear on that as they are on the meaning of that team name. 

“Yesterday,” is pitched out. “Yeah, yesterday and the second day.” “The third day was also good!”

That sounds like… all of them? 

“All the stages are really technical, not what we have in Belgium, but we like it a lot.” 

“We’re quickly adapting. It’s been above expectations. We didn’t know what to expect, of course, but it’s above expectations. We’re also quickly adapting to the camping life. We have two RV’s together, we have music, some beers.” 

That sounds like a version of winning, even if they don’t end the day in new jerseys. Belgium’s a long way from Vancouver Island, and the crew are making sure they get the best of B.C., beyond single track and BCBR base camp. 

“We did some whale watching in Victoria. We saw Orca’s, Humpbacks, Sea Lions. After we’re doing some rafting, then to Whistler, we have to go back home.” Says Ivis. “You can’t have everything.” 

2025 BC Bike Race Results: Day 6 - Campbell River 

Open Women
1st. Sandra Walter 2:31:49.3
2nd. Katerina Nash 2:39:10.5 (+7:21.2)
3rd.  Starla Teddergreen 2:57:56.8 (+26:07.5)
4th. Lauren Zimmer 2:57:57.7 (+26:08.4)
5th. Usha Khanal 2:59:41.9 (+27:52.6)

Open Men
1st.  Peter Disera 2:07:31.4
2nd. Sean Fincham 2:07:31.7 (+0.3)
3rd. Matthew Wilson 2:07:31.8 (+0.4)
4th. Andrew L’Esperance 2:09:03.2 (+1:31.8)
5th. Matthew Bird 2:10:36.9 (+3:05.5)

Day 5 - Overall Standings 

Open Men
1st. Sean Fincham 8:31:41.4
2nd. Matthew Wilson 8:32:45.0
3rd. Andrew L’Esperance 8:39:39.5
4th. Peter Disera 8:46:00.1
5th. Geoff Kabush 9:05:02.2

Open Women
1st. Sandra Walter 10:36:16.4
2nd. Katerina Nash 11:01:54.8
3rd. Maghalie Rochette 12:41:46.0
4th. Usha Khanal 12:49:46.4
5th. Lauren Zimmer 12:49:48.1

Fox Timed DH - Tres Hombres 

Men
1st. Sean Fincham 3:27.0
2nd. Trevor Thew 3:29.6
3rd. Matthew Wilson 3:30.2
4th. Tanner Wells 3:31.9
5th. Geoff Kabush 3:33.8

Women
1st. Maja Wloszczowska 3:46.5
2nd. Katerina Nash 3:47.6
3rd. Nathalie Schneitter 3:47.6
4th. Sandra Walter 4:05.7
5th. Jessica Hild 4:06.9