Whitehorse doctor Ross Phillips took on all challengers at last weekend's Tour de Fairbanks and came away with the win.

For the past two years, the Tour de Fairbanks, a multi stage bike race held each June in and around Fairbanks, has drawn some of the top riders from Alaska and the Yukon. And for the two previous years, Whitehorse's Paul Christensen had dominated the event.

This five-stage event, held over four days, has a bit of everything a 5-km hill climb, a 50-km circuit race, a 45-minute criterium, a 23-km time trial and a 120-km road race.

Only a rider strong in all disciplines will emerge with the coveted 'yellow jersey', in recognition of having the lowest aggregate time.

This year, hampered by cramps during the circuit race, Christensen was forced to withdraw, but the yellow jersey did not leave Whitehorse. For the third year in a row a Whitehorse rider, this time Phillips, won the overall title.

Preparing for the upcoming Trans Rockies Challenge, a 700-km, 6-day mountain bike race in Alberta, Phillips used the Fairbanks event as a warm-up event. With solid results in all the stages, he held off his challengers and won the event by twenty seconds over a strong Fairbanks rider.

Phillips' placings included third in the hill climb, first in the circuit race, third in the criterium, fifth in the time trial and fourth in the road race.

Though out of contention for the overall because of his withdrawal from the circuit race, Christensen did manage a fourth place finish in the hill climb and first place in the time trial. Mike McCann, riding in only a few of the stages, was fourth in the circuit race and second in the time trial.

Yukon participants said the organizers and riders in Fairbanks put on a great event and displayed tremendous hospitality. Rumor has it, however, that they are starting to get a bit weary of the crown leaving Fairbanks and promise that next year's event will be even tougher.