2026 BCBR: Stage 2 Campbell River – Presented by DU/ER

2025 BCBR champ is back on top of a podium on Day 2 of the 2026 race

Simms, whose efforts were rewarded with her first podium of 2026 BCBR, was happy with her role on the front. 

“I know there’s some punchy stuff that can catch you off guard, so I wanted to be on the front. This stage kind of reminds me of Ontario riding, which is home for me. I just wanted to sit on the front and be able to see what’s coming, see the lines.”

That left Simms on the front for the drag race back to the finish line. 

“We popped onto the road, then we had some full on sprint tactics come into play at the finish. Sandra snuck around and took the win. Ruth and I were batting it out for second and I’m not sure who took it. It was close, and we don’t have cell service out here, so who knows. It was fun! 

With two very solid results in two days of racing, is Simms starting to think about moving up the overall standings?  

“I think this kind of racing is just all about who can have the most good days and make the least mistakes. So I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’ll keep trying to be as consistent as possible.” 

Wise words in a week where excellent singletrack and exciting competition can easily convince riders to get a little carried away. With many miles left, and some riders already looking like they’re feeling the effort already, that’s advice that riders throughout the field would do well to heed. 

Schurter versus Disera: The Rematch

In the men’s race, the excitement around having the greatest cross country racer of all time, Nino Schurter, on the start line was only amped up when Day 1 ended in a thrilling sprint finish. That win went to Canadian Olympian, Peter Disera. On Day 2, Nino was looking for a different result, even if he couldn’t avoid another sprint. 

Peter Diesera escaped early on, riding with a 10 to 15 second gap when Carter Nieuwesteeg briefly touched the ground. That lasted for half an hour or so before the 10-time-world champion bridged up.  

“I figured I probably shouldn’t bury myself on Day 2,” Disera said of deciding not to fight too hard to stay away. “We rode together for the next hour. Nino was content to follow wheels and get a little bit of the local knowledge. He took over going into the ravine and tried to put the gears to me, but I was able to hold on.” 

When Schurter made a quick pass going into the final section of single track, it looked like he might be making his move. The Swiss rider did say he was trying to avoid another sprint finish. 

“I tried on the last trail to push a  bit, but it’s so difficult to go really fast because there’s so many turns. Especially when you don’t know the trails. Luckily during warm up I went back to see the last kilometre. Peter started to sprint really early and I thought, this is ideal for me, I’ll just wait until you get tired and go. 

“I kicked early hoping he would counter,” Disera admitted. “But he knew where the finish was and got it. He wasn’t going to lose that again.”

Asked how long he’ll be content to let the Canadians lead, Schurter said the gloves are already off. 

“I’m already full gas racing, it’s really cool to race the local guys. You can feel that they know the trails and I am sometimes guessing where it’s going to go.”

Californians take on Canadian singletrack

Nino and the Canadian duo aren’t the only ones in the race, of course. Close behind, a pair of Californians were duking it out with another group of Canucks. Justin Peck finished fourth on Day 1. After going slightly off course on Day 1, Tobin Ortenblad matched Peck’s result in Campbell River.

“Today I stayed on track. There was one point where, if I was leading, I might have gone off course, I’m not going to lie. But I was a bit more leary of junctions today. But it was fun. A bigger group made for a tactical dynamic today. Our group was racing for fourth, just ripping it all day. Just going fast and trying not to hit trees. It’s pretty technical here and it’s quite fun on a cross country bike.”

Peck was with Ortenblad in the group for fourth, as well as Van Isle locals, Max McCulloch and Geof Kabush. The young Californian is enjoying his first BCBR experience.

“Today was great. Super fun, twisty, turny singletrack. The dirt is definitely dry, but it’s still super grippy here. We’ll see what the rain does tonight but tomorrow’s probably going to be a mudder.”

Peck is alluding to the 10-15mm of rain forecasted to start overnight in Cumberland, where Monday’s racing returns for Day 3. How are the Californian’s wet weather skills?

“Ha ha, not great. I’ve raced in the mud, occasionally, but I don’t get a ton of training time in the mud. So tomorrow will be a day of trying to follow the Canadians around and trying to find good lines over slippery rocks and roots.”

Ortenblad, a veteran cyclocross racer, is more comfortable than most Californian’s in slippery conditions.

“I’m excited for the rain. I do love some mud. But at the same time, I’m not super familiar with this terrain and how it rides in the wet. Big, wet rock slabs sound a bit scary, to be honest. So I’m a little nervous about it. But if it’s real wet, I guess just drop some air pressure and try not to hit the brakes!”

Cumberland Queen stage lands early

For Day 3, BC Bike Race returns to Cumberland for a final day at the week’s first base camp. At 38.3km, it isn’t the longest day by distance but with 1,261 metres of elevation gain coming almost entirely on singletrack, including a few more fresh new trails, it will test riders legs and skills even if the rain holds off.

One of the week’s most challenging days will also be one of the most fun, hitting classics like Potluck, the iconic woodwork of Thirsty Beaver, Field of Dreams, Blue Collar and the Fox Timed downhill on Rhizome and Woodcutter before returning to town via an updated 50:01. The kind of day singletrack dreams are made of. The kind of fun a little rain can’t wash away.