2012 YAK ATTACK - Iowa's Jeff Kerkove in 3rd place after 2nd Stage

Sun March 04 2012
Posted Mar 4, 2012
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YAK ATTACK - The highest mountain bike race on earth, and one of the toughest mountain bike stage races on the world calendar. The race is held in Nepal.

Jeff Kerkove aka "Mr. 24" is amongst the 2012 line-up. Only 33 riders are signed up.

The race kicked off March 3rd and after two Stages, Jeff is in 3rd place overall with 9 stages to go.
Stage 1: 2nd place. 45km, 100% rideable, 1657 feet ascent - finished in: 2:10:18
Stage 2: 3rd place. 50km, 100% rideable, 1359 feet ascent - finished in: 2:17:17

About Yak Attack

Taking place in the mighty Himalaya, comprising of 10 stages, covering
400km and with a total altitude gain of over 12000m this race throws
every obstacle under the sun at the adventurous riders daring to take it
on.

There's the altitude - the course peaks at 5416m, where oxygen
levels are only 50% of those at sea level. There's the weather - upto
30c over the first 4 days and then rapidly decreasing to a frostbite
inducing -15c (before wind chill) as the race crosses the Thorong La
pass. Then there's the terrain, bike wreckingly rough descents, soft
sand climbs, streams, suspension bridges, mud, landslides and invariably
snow.

Receiving accolades from previous competitors such as "This is
the most awesome riding I've ever done", to "This isn't racing, its
torture", Yak Attack is not just a race, its a life experience. It will
take you on a roller coaster, both literally and emotionally and will
ultimately leave you battered and bruised but with unforgettable
memories of a beautiful country inhabited by beautiful people.

About Jeff

Jeff roots are in Iowa. He grew up in Cedar Falls working at Eurpoa Cycle & Ski and attended the University of Northen Iowa. He got the nickname of "Mr. 24" after so many hours in the saddle starting paying off when he started to win 12 and 24 hour races.

Jeff now resides in Colorado, works for Ergon, and races for the Topeak Ergon Racing Team.
Bio: http://www.topeak-ergon-racing.com/de/en/kerkove.html
Follow him on his blog: http://www.jeffkerkove.net/
Check out past BIKEIOWA Posts about Jeff here.

Thanks to John Adamson of Twisted Spokes Racing for turning us onto this story and sharing the photo.

Stay tuned, and we'll post more updates as they become available