Sam 3rd on Stage 3 of the Trans-Sylvania Epic

After an early mechanical mishap, Sam chased the leaders for the next 42 miles on a wet and muddy day, passing all but two of the field to finish third on the day in Stage 3 of the Trans-Sylvania Epic and dropping one place in GC from second to third overall.

Here's a video recap of the stage:

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/250771-2013-Trans-Sylvania-Epic-Stage-Race/video/712230-Trans-Sylvania-Epic-Stage-3-Highlights

And, here's the stage writeup:

At the NoTubes Trans-Sylvania Epic, the three strongest men in the field showed their superiority on a day marked with mud and rain. Sam Koerber (ProGold), second in GC, was dropped from the leaders on the very first descent of the day, a short rocky singletrack that threw his chain over his cassette and left him standing trail-side as most of the field passed. Brian Matter (RACC/Trek/ProGold) who was in third overall at the start of the stage, and Justine Lindine (Redline/NBX), the current race leader, were unaware of what took the fast descending Koerber from the picture but worried little about the cause. 

Matter, knowing that the time he lost to a flat yesterday could be redeemed, joined forces with Lindine who was looking to pad his lead. Also in the lead group were Phil Grove (Hammer Nutrition), Aaron Snyder (TSEpic.com/NoTubes), Mike Wissel (B2C2/Boloco), and Wes Richards (Clemmons Bicycle).  But Lindine and Matter were not interested in having help and shed the others by the time the race entered Tower Trail, ten miles into the course.

On the first SRAM/Bear Creek Enduro segment of the day, Lindine cooperated to allow Matter to compete in the Enduro segments with hopes of keeping the enduro jersey to the end. The two continued around the course trading the lead through Coburn and up the long gradual climb of Seigerville-Millheim Pike. Entering the final enduro segment of the day, Lindine decided that the time was right and jumped away. “I’m not going to say that I’m not taking advantage of Brian’s interest in the enduro jersey. He slowed and I went,” said Lindine, who crossed the finish line 30 seconds ahead of Matter.

Koerber impressed the competition with an all day chase over the 42 mile course that ended with a third place finish, while Wissell had his best ever finish in a Trans-Sylvania Epic in fourth. Aaron Snyder continued his steady effort in the event with his fifth place finish.

1			2:34:25	Justin Lindine	Redline / NBX
2			2:35:11	Brian Matter	RACC / TREK / PROGOLD
3			2:42:43	Sam Koerber	Progold
4			2:44:18	MICHAEL WISSELL	B2C2/ Boloco
5			2:46:54	Aaron Snyder	TSEpic Team