Sea Otter Classic - Cross Country- Full Results, Photos and Report to Follow

Photos courtesy of Brightroom

Burry Stander took the sprint finish for his second consecutive Sea Otter win

Georgia Gould took wins in the short track and XC this weekend

Pro Men

1, Burry Stander (Specialized) 1.23.13
2, Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) 1.23.13
3, Todd Wells (Specialized) 1.23.15
4, Christoph Sauser (Specialized) 1.24.19
5, Roel Paulissen (Cannondale) 1.25.27
6, Manuel Fumic (Cannondale) 1.25.52
7, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.26.05
8, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale) 1.26.05
9, Marco Fontana (Cannondale) 1.26.30
10, Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mountain) 1.26.35
11, Carl Decker (Giant)
12, Barry Wicks (Kona)
13, Adam Morka (Trek)
14, Conrad Stoltz (Specialized)
15, Jason Sager (Jamis)
16, Benjamin Sonntag (Cannondale)
17, Lachlain Norris (Drapac)
18, Travis Livermon (Champions systems)
19, Kris Sneddon (Kona)
20, Thomas Turner (Jamis)
21, Craig Richey (Aviawest)
22, Andy Schultz
23, Stephen Ettinger
24, Ryan Woodall
25, Rotem Ishay
26, Ken Onodera
27, Spencer Paxson
28, Tad Elliot
29, Peter Glassford
30, TJ Woodruff
31, Dana Weber
32, Max Know
33, Robert Marion
34, Stefan Widmer
35, Sean Babcock
36, Kerry Werner
37, Simon Jensen
38, Sam Schultz
39, Tinker Juarez
40, John Bennett
41, Russell Finsterwald
42, Mitchell Hoke
43, Pierre Facomprez
44, Burke Swindlehurst
45, Kalan Biesel
46, Eric Emsky
47, Jeffrey Herrera
48, Dror Pekatch
49, Vincent Lombardi
50, Brendan Stewart
51, Colin Cares
52, Yuki Saito
53, Ben Thompson
54, Bryan Alders
55, Aaron Bradford
56, Erik Tonkin
57, Aren Timmell
58, Scott Frederick
59, Adam Snyder
60, Tim Allen
61, Ross Schnell
62, Greg Carpenter
63, Ethan Gilmour
64, Nate Whitman
65, Alex Grant
66, Kevin Smallman
67, Drew Edsall
68, Spencer Powlison
69, Anthony Slowinski
70, Troy Wells
71, Lucas Livermon -1 lap
72, Omer Kem
73, Nicholas Stevens
74, Aaron Snyder
75, John Nobil
76, Blake Harlan
77, Bradford Perley
78, Dylan Stucki
79, Michael Mooradian
80, Aaron Elwell
81, Brady Kappius
82, Kenny Burt
83, Alex Boone
84, Nate Byrom
85, Justin Maka
86, Gabriel Keck
87, Nitish Nag
88, Brian Astell
89, Charles Jenkins
90, Mitchell Peterson
91, Ncik Weighall
92, Jeff Blair -2 laps
93, Mike Anderson
94, Randall Jacobs
95, Tony Smith
96, Jason Moeschler
97, Wiley Mosley
98, Matt Connors
99, Noah Tautfest
100, Ben Sullivan
101, John Burns
102, Ron Castia
103, Jeff Kerkove
104, Seamus Powell
105, Zachary Keller
106, Bob Delp
107, Osias Lozano
108, Garnet Vertican
109, Rob Sousa
110, Anastasio Flores
111, Andrew Rigel
112, Hal Helbock
113, Eric Batty
114, Evan Plews
115, Rouke Croesser -3 laps
116, Bryan Van Vleet
117, Matt Wittler
DNF Ryan Trebon
DNF Sid Taberlay
DNF Kat Statman
DNF Nick Truitt
DNF Drew Mackenzie
DNF Jim Hewett


Pro Women

1, Georgia Gould (Luna) 1.16.48
2, Lene Byberg (Specialized) 1.16.54
3, Katharine Pendrel (Luna) 1.17.33
4, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.17.34
5, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.17.57
6, Emily Batty (Trek)
7, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com)
8, Katerina Nash (Luna)
9, Chloe Forsman (Tokyo Joe's)
10, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
11, Amy Dombroski (Luna)
12, Alison Powers
13, Melanie McQuaid (Specialized)
14, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Felt)
15, Judy Freeman (Kenda/Felt)
16, Alice Pennington (S&M)
17, Sue Butler (River City Bicycles)
18, Kathy Sherwin (Mafia/Pabst/Felt)
19, Nina Baum (Cannondale)
20, Aleksandra Moora (Bedford/Spin/Verge)
21, Lizzy English
22, Sonya Looney
23, Rebecca Rusch
24, Krista Park
25, Linnea Koons
26, Joelie Guynup
27, Holly Liske
28, Wan Line Chang
29, Christina Betz
30, Lydia Tanner
31, Timari Pruis
32, Danae York
DNF Mical Dyck
DNF Kari Studley

Sea Otter Classic - Short Track - Full Results, Photos, and Report

Photos by: Todd Park
Americans Take Both Sea Otter Short Track Titles

Todd Wells saw nothing but clean air in front of him all throughout today's short track

April weather in Monterrey, California, is known for being predictably unpredictable. It ranges from temperatures in the 50s and thick mud to soaring highs well over 100 with gusting winds. This year however, it seems to be down right pleasant. As riders lined up for the short track today many commented that this is the best weather they have ever seen at Sea Otter.

The racing action was pretty good too.

The women started first with Pro XCT #1 short track winner Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) going to the front. Koerber was joined by Specialized rider Lene Byberg and Georgia Gould (Luna). Canadian Katharine Pendrel (Luna) chased the leaders.

Gould quickly made it clear she had her sights set on winning this race. After several early attacks by the Luna rider, she was finally able to get clear with four laps remaining. Byberg and Koerber were left to do the chasing but Gould's determination to win was just too much.

Georgia Gould took her first win of 2010 in commanding style

With each lap she powered farther off the front leaving all the other riders to sort out who would be second. With one to go, it looked as if Gould's teammate Pendrel would take the runner up spot but Norwegian Lene Byberg surged one final time and passed the Luna rider. Pendrel would take third in front of Koerber and 2009 Sea Otter short track champion Emily Batty (Trek).

Just as the dust settled the men took their turn at Sea Otter glory and just like last year the Specialized team stomped out the competition.

Todd Wells leads the chasers through the chicane

Early on, it was Specialized's big man Todd Wells doing most of the damage accompanied by Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain). A crash early on waded up a healthy portion of the field and assured the front-runners clear sailng.

Wells was soon joined at the front by his South African teammate Burry Stander. And just like 2009, the two simply checked out from the rest of the field. Kabush had his hands full trying to hold off former world champion Christoph Sauser (Specialized) while Subaru/Gary Fisher riders Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Sam Schultz did their best to latch on to the Swiss rider.

Sid Taberlay, flying to Aussie National Championship colors, leads Burry Stander early in the race

There was simply no catching Wells today. The big Specialized rider rode confidently slowly increasing his lead and proving that he is truly on great form heading in to 2010. Wells was able to cruise across the finish line claiming back-to-back Sea Otter STXC wins.

His teammate Stander also repeated his result from 2009 taking second. Kabush held off the charging Swiss rider for third. Sauser crossed the line in fourth while Sho-Air/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay squeaked into the fifth and final podium spot.

Geoff Kabush on course

Staging for the short track event under warm sunny skies in Monterrey

Lene Byberg on her way to a second place finish

Willow Koerber, Lene Byberg, and Georgia Gould opening things up early in the race

Pro Women

1, Georgia Gould (Luna)
2, Lene Byberg (Specialized)
3, Katharine Pendrel (Luna)
4, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
5, Emily Batty (Trek)
6, Katerina Nash (Luna)
7, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
8, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
9, Chloe Forsman (Tokyo Joe's)
10, Mical Dyck (Trek Canada)



Pro Men

1, Todd Wells (Specialized)
2, Burry Stander (Specialized)
3, Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain)
4, Christoph Sauser (Specialized)
5, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized)
6, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
7, Sam Schultz (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
8, Manuel Fumic
9, Carl Decker (Giant)
10, Marco Fontana
11, Ryan Trebon (Kona)
12, Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Specialized)
13, Ken Onodera (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
14, Roel Paulissen (Cannondale)
15, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale)

Pro XCT #1 -- Fontana, California -- Full Results, Pictures and Report from the XC

Each of the past 4 years the Fontana City National has marked the start to the National mountain bike racing season. The Fontana race is known for it's "urban singletrack" and normally exciting atmosphere as all the best racers amass to kick off the new season. Plenty of big names were on hand from Norwegian Lene Byberg (Specialized) providing some international flavor to former and current Canandian and US National Champions.




At the start of the day the wind was already whipping and by the time the race started the wind was blowing like a sandblaster. The women started first. Byberg entered the race as the favorite due to her second place in the World Championships. But she had been defeated just two weeks earlier by All-American girl Kelli Emmett (Giant). Subaru/Gary Fisher teammates Willow Koerber and Heather Irmiger were also expected to be in the mix as they hold a World Championship podium and National Champion jersey between the two of them. Although no one had heard much from Georgia Gould since last fall, the Luna rider is always strong in Fontana and has a habit of winning Pro XCT races.

The women started fast, all hoping to be the first person up the opening climb ahead of the bottleneck that always happens. Byberg, Gould, and the Gary Fisher teammates all surged toward the front of the bunch. While Okolestuff,com rider Pua Sawicki was mired in traffic and forced to the rear of the 20-plus field.

This year the women got their chance to ride the technical rock drop section that was deemed "too difficult" for them to attempt at last year's race. But rocks weren't about to slow this group down. Byberg occupied the lead with Irmiger, Koerber, and Gould right with her.

After the first of four laps the Norwegian broke free of her counterparts who could do nothing to bring her back even in the strong winds. While Byberg was working her way clear of the group Pua Sawicki had put in a huge effort to work her way through the entire field and into the top-5. Shortly, she was all the way up to third and putting the wood to Willow Koerber. Koerber's teammate had since dropped off the pace but Gould was holding on tight to her podium spot.
At the start of the final lap it was Byberg on her way to a win barring any catastrophe on course. Behind her Sawicki and Koerber were battling each other for the runner-up spot. Gould was still in fourth with Allison Mann (Rock n' Road Cyclery) and Kelli Emmett coming on strong.

Finally, Sawicki made her move, throwing down a nasty attack against the Gary Fisher rider. Koerber couldn't match the speed in Sawicki's legs as the Hawaiian rider moved securely into the second spot.

Behind them Gould was suffering through one of her worst final laps in a long time. The normally dominant rider was feeling some serious pressure with Allison Mann passing her first followed by Emmett.

The Giant rider wasn't done just yet. In her usual come-from-behind fashion she tracked down Mann and made the move into fourth.



In the end it was Lene Byberg winning by over a minute. Sawicki would come in with over a minute on Koerber who was followed by Emmett just three seconds in front of Allison Mann.

The men's race followed a very different script with equal amounts of excitement. Off the line Todd Wells (Specialized) seemed determined to make amends for his broken chain from Fontana last season. He was already in the lead when he reached to spot of his demise from 2009. The big Specialized rider was accompanied by four-time Fontana winner Geoff Kabush, US National Champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Sho-Air/Specialized teammates Sid Taberlay and Max Plaxton, and Sam Schultz also from Gary Fisher.

On the second lap, JHK had encountered a mechanical which dropped him from the group. His Gary Fisher teammate Sam Schultz had come unglued frojm the leaders but clung just 20 seconds off the back.

The leaders shuffled their positions throughout the race but no one could break free into the stiff head winds. The short climb on the back side of the course usually accounts for many of the breaks in the Fontana race and this year riders were driving straight into the worst of the wind. This meant a rider would need to get off the front in one of the singletrack sections and that is a tall order in a talented group of bike handlers like this one.



Cannondale rider Jeremiah Bishop was giving it his all to crack the top-5. He was clearly feeling strong and was putting time into fifth-placed Schultz. Just past the halfway point Bishop flatted his front tire. A slow wheel change sent him out of the top-10.

With just one lap left the lead group still remained. Each member of the group had to be acutely aware of Geoff Kabush being in the bunch. Kabush has never lost a race at Fontana and always seems to find a way to win in California. As the final miles ticked by the group stayed together with Wells finally leading them into the finishing straight.

Wells quickly wound it up with Kabush locked on his back wheel. Nothing was going to stop the Big Red S from crossing the line first. He had just enough lead to pump his fist as he took the win just 3 tenths of a second in front of Kabush. Plaxton crossed the line a few seconds later. Taberlay held on for fourth with Schultz rounding out the podium three minutes behind the lead group.



Race Notes:

20 year-old Robbie Squire (Jamis) finished 14th just behind Horgan-Kobelski, Kris Sneddon (Kona), and Jeremiah Bishop. He was the seventh US rider, a truly impressive result for the youngster.

Click Here for Men's Results

Click Here for Women's Results

Men and Women's Short Track and Super-D Full Results and Photos from Fontana Pro XCT

Men's short track podium

The big guns attacking the course with Geoff Kabush leading the way

The Pro men turn up the heat on the Fontana STXC course. The race was just 15 minutes plus one lap

The steep and dusty descent on the STXC course

Lene Byberg leads the women on the STXC course. Byberg chose to ride her 29er today. Here she leads Willow Koerber and Heather Irmiger up the climb

Kelli Emmett and Willow Koerber battling for a spot

The start of the women's race. A small but very fast group was on hand today

Short Track Results

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized)
2, Ryan Trebon (Kona)
3, Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Specialized)
4, Todd Wells (Specialized)
5, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
6, Geoff Kabush
7, Derek Zandstra
8, Jeremiah Bishop
9, Sam Schultz
10, Barry Wicks
11, Carl Decker
12, Kris Sneddon
13, Eric batty
14, Manuel Prado
15, Travis Livermon
16, Andy Schultz
17, Kalan Biesel
18, Colin Cares
19, Raphael gagne
20, Ken Onodera
21, Ben Sonntag
22, Andrew L'Esperance
23, Robert Marion
24, Peter Glassford
25, Stephen Ettinger
26, Jeff Herrera
27, Tim Allen
28, Ryan Woodall
29, Kerry Werner
30, Sondre Norland
31, TJ Woodruff
32, Scott Keller
33, Cody Canning
34, Russell Finsterwald
35, Alex Grant
36, Mitchell Hoke
37, Dror Pekatch
38, Braden Kappius
39, Evan Guthrie
40, Bryan Alders
41, Kevin Smallman
42, Zachary Hughes
43, Rob Squire
44, Nicholas Stevens
45, Ryan Dorsey
46, Trevor Downing
47, Greg Carpenter
48, Dylan Stucki
49, Lucas Livermon
50, Ethan Gilmour
51, Brent Steinberg
52, Brent Steinberg
53, Yuki Saito
54, Matthew Paziuk

Pro Women

1, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
2, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
3, Georgia Gould (Luna)
4, Lene Byberg (Specialized)
5, Mical Dyck (Trek Canada)
6, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
7, Emily Batty (Trek)
8, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com)
9, Allison Mann (Rock 'n Road Cyclery)
10, Judy Freeman (Kenda/Felt)
11, Amanda Carey
12, Krista Park
13, Amanda Sin
14, Sue Butler
15, Kari Studley
16, Philicia Marion

Super-D Results

Pro Men

1, Carl Decker (Giant)
2, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized)
3, Todd Wells (Specialized)
4, Tim Allen (Niner/Ergon)
5, Travis Livermon (Champion)
6, Eric Bierman
7, Trevor Downing
8, Robert Marion
9, Dylan Stucki
10, Greg Carpenter
11, Scott Keller
12, Lucas Livermon
13, Aaron Bradford

Pro Women

1, Kelli Emmett (Giant)
2, Allison Mann (Rock n' Road Cyclery)
3, Sue Butler
4, Krista Park (Cannondale/Incycle)
5, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Felt)
6, Philicia Marion (AMC/Kenda/Tomac)
DNF C. Michelle Rivera

Full Results Now Up with Live Updates from Mens XC in Fontana

Photos by Todd Park

Specialized rider Todd Wells has upset Fontana wonderman Geoff Kabush to take the opening leg of the Pro XCT. The two riders entered the finishing straight together with Wells outsprinting the Canadian to the line. Max Plaxton crossed the line in 3rd with his teammate Sid Taberlay just behind. Sam Schultz held on for 5th.

Todd Wells takes the win just in front of Canadians Geoff Kabush and Max Plaxton

Men's podium with Sid Taberlay, Goeff Kabush, Todd Wells, Max Plaxton, and Sam Schultz left to right

Pro Men

1, Todd Wells (Specialized) 1.46.15
2, Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) 1.46.15
3, Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.46.17
4, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.46.44
5, Sam Schultz (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.49.29
6, Derek Zandstra (3 Rox Racing) 1.50.46
7, Barry Wicks (Kona) 1.51.19
8, Raphael Gagne (Rocky Mountain) 1.51.44
9, Eric Batty (Trek Canada) 1.52.02
10, Carl Decker (Giant) 1.52.58
11, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory)
12, Kris Sneddon (Kona)
13, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
14, Robbie Squire (Jamis)
15, Peter Glassford
16, Ben Sonntag (Cannondale Factory)
17, Adam Morka (Trek Canada)
18, Andy Schultz (Kenda/Felt)
19, Colin Cares (Kenda/Felt)
20, Russell Finsterwald (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
21, Spencer Paxson
22, Vincent Lombardi
23, TJ Woodruff
24, Travis Livermon
25, Stephen Ettinger
26, Ryan Woodall
27, Jeff Herrera
28, Alex Grant
29, Sondre Norland
30, Ryan Trebon
31,Cody Canning
32, Zachary Hughes
33, Robert Marion
34, Ken Onodera
35, Kalan Beisel
36, Tyson Wagler
37, Miguel Valadez
38, Dror Pekatch
39, Bryan Alders
40, Burke Swindlehurst
41, Kevin Smallman
42, Drew Edsall
43, Evan Guthrie
44, Kerry Werner
45, Andrew L'Esperance
46, Paul Freiwald
47, Tim Allen
48, Jim Hewett
49, Danny McNaughton
50, Zachary Keller
51, Matthew Connors
52, Yuki Saito
53, Trevor Downing
54, Rob Sousa
55, Dylan Stucki
56, John Nobil
57, Ryan Clark
58, Lucas Livermon
59, Haydn Boucher
60, Nitish Nag
61, Justin Maka
62, Randall Jacobs
63, Alex Boone
64, Brent Steinberg
65, Eric Emsky
66, Scott Keller
67, Greg Carpenter
68, Ethan Gilmour
69, Jason Siegle
70, Menso De Jong
71, Michael Mooradian
72, Garnet Vertican
73, Ryan Dorsey
74, Nicholas Stevens
75, Matthew Paziuk
76, Eric Bierman
77, Patrick Dennis
78, Tom O'Brien
DNF Matt Miller
DNF Erik Tonkin
DNF Aaron Snyder
DNF Dezmin Wilder
DNF John Bennett
DNF Aaron Bradford
DNF Cameron Jette
DNF Tinker Juarez
DNF Mitchell Hoke
DNF Nicholas Weighall
DNF Braden Kappius

Wells leads out the bunch with all the big guns in tow. This would become the lead group, controlling the race from this point on

The usual craziness at the Fontana start being at the front makes all the difference

Jeremiah Bishop made his way into 6th place before a front flat forced him to make a unscheduled stop

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With just one lap to go the lead group remains intact Wells, Kabush, Taberlay, and Plaxton with Schultz just behind. The winner is sure to come from this group of leaders.

The group needs to try and shed Kabush if they want to win. Kabush has won every race ever held at Fontana and if he reaches the final stretch in sight of the lead there is little chance of stopping him

Barry Wicks (Kona) has now moved into the lead chaser after Bishop's flat. Bishop is now chasing with JHK, and Ryan Trebon (Kona)
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With two laps left Kabush is now leading the group containing Wells, Taberlay, and Plaxton. Schultz continues to dangle just 20 seconds off the back.

Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) leads the chase group behind the leaders. Bishop just punctured his front tire. That will cost him some precious time changing the flat on his Lefty fork..
_________________________________

After the second lap Todd Wells and is just in front of Geoff Kabush and the Sho-Air duo of Taberlay and Plaxton. Sam Schultz is giving it his all to stay in contact just 20 seconds behind the leaders

_________________________________

After one lap in Fontana the heavy hitters are in control. US National Champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher) leads a group including Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain), Todd Wells (Specialized), Sho-Air teammates Sid Taberlay and Max Plaxton, and Sam Schultz. The group is 42 seconds in front of the closest chasers.

Pro XCT #1 -- Fontana, California -- Full Results, Pro Women's XC

Norwegian Lene Byberg of Team Specialized made her move on the second of 4 laps to get clear of the bunch and take win at this year's Pro XCT opener in Fontana. Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) put in a consistent effort throughout the race. Sawicki picked racers off one by one throughout the race before making a decisive attack on the final lap to clear herself of Gary Fisher rider Willow Koerber.

Last year's winner Georgia Gould came home in 6th place.

Women's XC podium with Kelli Emmett, Pua Sawicki, Lene Byberg, Willow Koerber, and Allison Mann left to right (photo by Todd Park)

Full Results

1, Lene Byberg (Specialized) 1.38.58
2, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) 1.40.15
3, Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.41.37
4, Kelli Emmett (Giant) 1.41.46
5, Allison Mann (Rock n' Road Cyclery) 1.41.49
6, Georgia Gould (Luna) 1.42.32
7, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.44.54
8, Mical Dyck (Trek Cananda)
9, Emily Batty (Trek World Racing)
10, Amanda Sin (3 Rox Racing)
11, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Felt)
12, Aleksandra Mooradian
13, Krista Park (Cannondale/Incycle)
14, Sue Butler
15, Judy Freeman (Kenda/Felt)
16, Amy Dombroski (Luna)
17, Andrienne Pichette (CVM Subway/Genetik)
18, Kari Studley (Mafia Racing)
19, Anna Fortner (The Team/SocalCross)
20, Lydia Tanner (Tokyo Joes)
21, Deidre York (Velobum.com)
22, Philicia Marion (AMC/Kenda/Tomac)
DNS, Catherine Pendrel (Luna)

Pua Sawicki's Ellsworth Truth, ready to take Sawicki to a personal best finish in the Pro XCT (photo by Todd Park)

2010 Race Bikes

With the official launch of the 2010 mountain bike racing season happening today in Fontana, California, we bring you some of the race bikes the elite riders will be racing this weekend. Although some of the new bikes are still under wraps until the race starts we found these beauties hanging out in the Fontana tech zone Friday.

The Cannondale Scalpel ridden by C-Dale/Incycle racer Krista Park. This ultra-lightweight ride sports a set of Stan's No Tubes ZTR Podium wheelset and the C-Dale Si crank. Park's Magura stoppers are tricked out with sexy red hydraulic hose.

Kelli Emmett's carbon Giant XTC carried her to a season opening win in Bonelli two weeks ago. With Fox 15mm thru-axle and full XTR components Emmett is poised for another fast weekend.

The women of Gary Fisher will be saddling up on 29ers this season. Irmiger and Koerber rode the big-wheeled machines to two National Championships and a podium at World's in 2009. Check out the super-sloped stem with riser bar combo on Koerber's race rig.

The Gary Fisher men will once again be on 29ers as well. This SRAM XX bike belongs to young gun Sam Schultz. The Superfly 100 still hangs in the back of the truck, no doubt waiting for the Super-D on Sunday.

Here is another bike waiting for Sunday's Super-D. The Tomac Snyper is built to eat up the rocky descents in and around Fontana

Check back later today and Sunday for full results, photos, and report from the Fontana Pro XCT