The pro field is almost complete for year's NoTubes Trans-Sylvania Epic and looks to be one of the strongest assembled in North America for a mountain bike stage race. Leading the charge is  Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale), the two-time defending champion at TSEpic.

Heading up the field of challengers is Jason Sager (Jamis) who is an experienced mountain bike stage racer. Sager has completed Cape Epic and Trans Andes this season and is clearly ready for the TSEpic. His 2012 preparation combined with confidence that he was the strongest over the last few days of the 2011 TSE should leave Sager with a chance of overall victory.

TeamCF brings another likely contender for the overall victory in Christian Tanguay. Christian was a contender for the first edition of TSE in 2010 and then focused his talents on the NUE series in 2011. He made the most of this effort taking home the NUE title to stake his claim as the best endurance racer in North America. At the recent Cohutta 100 Tanguay finished a mere 4 minutes behind Bishop.

Lining up with Bishop, Sager and Tanguay are a host of men who have the ability to win TSE and fight for the overall podium. Barry Wicks (Kona) is demonstrating some of his best form in several years and is ready to avenge last year's frustrations. The breakthrough performance of 2011 came from New England's Justin Lindine who rode a strong, steady race and finished just off the podium. Lindine returns with confidence gained from last year and prep that includes a ride at Cape Epic. Two time finisher and stage threat Drew Edsall is back for third run with new found support from a factory ride on the Kenda/Felt Team.  Sam Koerber is an unknown entity at TSE after having ridden at the front of NUE #1 in Cohutta for the first four hours before fading late. Jonathan Davis is making the trip back to PA from Colorado after taking a top 10 finish in Cohutta. 

Two local riders are aiming to make their mark at TSE. Aaron Snyder (Scott Bikes) has the BC Bike Race under his belt and moved to State College not long ago allowing him to train specifically on the trail of the TSEpic. Finally, NoTubes has East Coast rider Stephen Kincaid lining up in their colors.