First stop of the six round Kenda East Cup part of the US CUP presented by Specialized at the Ocoee Whitewater Park in Ducktown, Tennessee.
Racers saw their share of whitewater, as portions of the racecourse were actually rivers. While the weather put a bit of a damper on spectators and the festival side of the event, it was business as usual for the promoters and racers from this region.
Jeff Schalk on what was once a section of dry pavement
The course was shortened by cutting out a three-mile section of the course due to persistent rainfall. The change made for a bit shorter than average race times as Pro men's winner Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er Crew) finished in about 90 minutes. It doesn't seem like the top guys slow down at all even when the conditions change.
The wet conditions made the normally technical trail even more difficult to navigate making the bridges like ice and wet pavement sections incredibly slippery. The Pro men's race began with a rolling start paced by a very safe, slow lead moto. This was very comforting as we navigated through the narrow bridges and pavement sections before hitting the dirt. On the first lap, a lead group broke away consisting of Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op), Sam Koerber, and Thomas Turner (Outspokin/Specialized), chasing close behind was Kenda rider Robert Marion.
Going into the second lap Schalk had a lead over Koerber and Turner until a flat tire took him out on the descent. Schalk, his legs still recovering from winning the Cohutta 100 last weekend, would lose several minutes and be forced to fight for a top-5 finish. Sam also competed in last week’s event and was able to ride away from Thomas Turner at the end to finish 20 seconds ahead. Schalk finished 5 minutes later for third.
Pro men's podium
In The Pro women's race, Jamie Dinkins ( Motor Mile Racing / SCV) rode away from the rest of the field on the first lap and never looked back. She put minutes into the others each lap, finishing 7 minutes ahead of the race for second. The battle for second between Anina Aaron (Kenda) and Paula Burks (Vantaggio) heated up on the last lap. The two rode closely together the entire race but it was Paula Burks who took control in the end to grab the 2nd spot.
The Junior Cat-1 category was swept by the Cycle Youth/Kenda Squad (formally KHS). The team lost their bike sponsor about two weeks ago. The Trio of Juniors Seth Kemp, Jesus Martinez, and Wes Lamberson all posted times that would have put them in the top ten of the pro class. Team manager Andy Johnston said he is "actively seeking a bike sponsor for the 2009 season."
1, Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er Crew)
2, Thomas Turner (Outspokin/Specialized)
3, Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op)
4, Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
5, Ryan Woodall (Dedicated Athlete)
6,
7, Nathan Wyatt (Carolina Fatz)
8,
9, Troy Adams (Eveready Endurance)
10, Justin Raynes (SEAVS)
11,
12, Greg Gibson (Union College)
13, Jeremy Chambers (Starbrite Carwash)
14, Jacob Virostko (Biowheels)
15, Seth Kemp (Kenda)
16, Lorne Johnson
17, Victor Alber (Squadra Rosa Fat Cat Bicycles)
18, Martin Cox (Endurance Factor)
19, Troy Adams (Eveready Endurance)
20, Sam Haskett
21, Alex Ryan (CCN/Cannondale)
Pro Women
1, Jamie Dinkins (Motor Mile Racing)
2, Paula Burks (Vantaggio)
3, Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
4, Kimberly Flynn (Vantaggio)
5, Kylie Krauss (Independent Fabrications)
6, Philicia Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
7, Loretta Simpson
8, Lindsey Bayer
9,
10,
11, Shelly Allen Ride-N-Roll)
12,
13, Emily Parker (Vantaggio)
