The 2013 Top Banana Competition is heating up, and Big M bumped BISSELL’s Alex Vanias even closer to the lead. 

The narrow of margin for Ryan Cross just got a little tighter after Alex Vanias stormed away to take the win at Sunday’s Big M Resurrection. The Lion of Leroy is closing in on the Top Banana lead with a slew of races on deck. Vanias was the big winner Sunday, not only taking the win but moving into a tie for second place in the Competition standings, 14 points behind Cross.

Dan Korienek took a few points as well, though he’s off the pace and may need to try for a top ten finish. That’s certainly a possibility if he rides as well as he did in 2012, with four or five big races left to take points in.

Second place at Big M, Tom Burke moved up 16 places to 30th overall. If he can nab a few more in September, he may still be able to threaten the top ten as well. His cyclocross starts could well be the difference come December, and the Einstein racer is looking like a points-hauler to help defend teammate Cross’ lead.

Sue Stephens got her fruit-fueled campaign off on the right foot, taking the full five points on offer for the C race. She’s on the same pattern as last year, starting late but picking up boat loads of points throughout the fall, though it will be impossible to catch the current leader, Lauri Brockmiller. Stephens can still move a long way up the overall, especially if she can take the full points at Battle at the Burg.

Melissa Colflesh jumped up into the top 30 with her points from fourth place. There’s a slew of A races on the horizon, and if she can ride at that level through the fall, she could easily be the biggest mover and shaker of the season.

The next Top Banana race is the X100 on August 24. The gravel race will count for results. Be sure to check back next week for the Fall Forecast, covering August through September.

Women’s Top Banana Competition