Boneyard Brawl is back: Eagle County cyclists claim victories in Vail mountain bike town series race

When the Boneyard Brawl was last featured in the Vail Recreation District Mountain Bike Town Series in 2020, Landen Stovall placed second in the men’s expert category as a 15-year-old. In the event’s return on Wednesday, Stovall — racing in the pro/open division — claimed a commanding win.

The 19-year-old covered three 8-mile laps, each with over 1,100 feet of climb, in 1 hour, 19 minutes and 32 seconds.

“It was way harder than I thought it would be,” Stovall said. “I live (within) walking distance and ride up that road all the time, but it’s quite harder at race pace.”

The Eagle Valley High School alumna and Bear National Team rider, who also won the series-opening Eagle Ranch Classic in May, is coming off a big training block as he prepares for the USA Cycling mountain bike national championships next week in Pennsylvania.

“My goal last night was to test my fitness,” he said. “Taking the win, I think I’m in a pretty good place.”

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Davos Dash winner Sam Brown (1:21:56) finished second and Sterling Schrader and Jack Lootens both finished in 1:27:47, with Schrader seizing the photo finish bronze.

Ingrid Stensvaag (1:49:05) took the win on the women’s side after Haley Dumke suffered an untimely flat tire. Just three days before the race, the Vail Health employees went 1-2 — with Dumke taking the win — at the Silver Rush 50-mile mountain bike race in Leadville. Stensvaag followed up her Silver Rush silver with a couple 12-hour shifts at the hospital.

“It was the most tired I’ve ever been doing a race,” the 35-year-old said of her effort in Eagle on Wednesday. “It showed me that I can show up even if it’s not my best and still do the best for that day. If I show up, I don’t quit even if it isn’t as fast as I’d like.”

Stensvaag said she enjoyed the course’s climbs and jagged, rocky sections on Redneck Ridge, especially once she learned the lines on the first lap. In general, the long-distance specialist finds the Town Series events perfect places to work on her anaerobic weaknesses and alleviate race anxiety.

“My goal for VRD races is to basically go as hard as possible the whole time,” she said. “Community, friends — and in a world of expensive racing, it’s an affordable way to push myself midweek and gain race experience.”

About 150 cyclists showed up for the Boneyard Brawl, which made its first appearance in the Vail Recreation District Mountain Bike Town Series in 2010 and was featured the following three years. It’s also been included in 2016 and 2020.

James Ellis was the men’s single speed winner, coming through in 1:39:49 as Mark Nesline (1:43:27) and Ciro Zarate (1:46:02) rounded out the podium.

“My goal for the race was to keep an eye on Mark and Ciro — I usually only see them at the start,” Ellis said. “I felt good and was able to stay strong on the climbs. Thanks to Ciro’s rear wheel leaking air, I was able to pass him on the last climb and cruise down Boneyard for the win.”

A 15-year veteran of the series, Ellis said one of his favorite parts of the Wednesday night rides is seeing the recreation district crew.

“They always seem to be smiling and (are) great to see out on course,” he said. Another huge motivation for the EMT at Vail Health is his wife, Chelsea, and their 9-month-old son, Sylvan.
“(He) is the center of our world,” Ellis said. “My beautiful wife and kiddo are an amazing energy source.”

Looking ahead, Stovall is shooting for a top-5 finish in his first attempt at nationals as a U23 rider.

“I’ve put a lot of effort into this race and am really stoked to see where my season ends,” he said of the event, which runs from July 17-21 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort.

Stensvaag is targeting a sub-9-hour time at the Leadville 100 in August.

“(I’m) going for redemption after a frustrating day starting in the back of the race last year,” she stated before adding that the iconic century race won’t be her last major ride of the season.

“The week after I will leave to bike-pack the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango.”