Trek-Volkswagen rider Jeff Schalk and Monique “Pua” Sawicki (Mata-Ellsworth) rode to victory at Tennessee’s Cohutta 100 on Sunday, the first race of the 2008 National Ultra Endurance mountain-bike series.

Schalk outlasted Dan Vallencourt to win by 2:24, and Sawicki dominated the women’s field, crossing the line with a 56-minute advantage on Cheryl Sorenson. Her winning time of 7:44:00 set a new course record for women by nearly 50 minutes.

Approximately 200 riders tackled the full 100-mile distance, which spun around Copperhill, Tennessee.

The National Ultra Endurance Series features seven 100-mile cross-country races throughout the country, and runs through September 6.

2008 National Ultra Endurance Series
April 19, Cohutta 100, Copperhill, TN
May 31, Mohican 100, Mansfield, OH
June 14, Lumberjack 100, Manistee National Forest, MI
July 19, Breckenridge, 100, Breckenridge, CO
July 26, Wilderness 101, Coburn, PA
August 16, Fools Gold 100, Dahlonega, GA
August 31, Shenandoah 100, Stokesville, Virginia
September 6, Tahoe-Sierra 100, Lake Tahoe, CA