US Cup West #4: Santa Ynez, California -- Preliminary Results

Pro Women

1, Tonya Bray (MTBChick.com/Cannondale) 1.39.09
2, Dorothy Wong (The Team/SoCal Cross) 1.49.58

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.48.41
2, Adam Morka (Trek Canada) 1.49.31
3, Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) 1.51.45
4, Craig Richey (Aviawest) 1.52.03
5, Ryan Woodall (Brick City Bicycles) 1.52.12
6, Vincent Lombardi (Sho-Air/Sonnance)
7, Dana Weber (Trek/World Bicycle Relief)
8, Eric Emsky (Blue Competition)
9, Menso DeJong (Santa Cruz)
10, Ethan Gilmour
11, Sean Donovan (KHS)
12, Nate Whitman (Cynergy)
13, Kevin Smallman (Incycle/Cannondale)
14, Alex Boone (Trek)
15, Pierre Facomprez (Look)
16, Aaron Bradford (Specialized)
17, Doug Andrews
18,Matthew Cochran (Win Wheels)
19, Paul Freiwald (Pivot Cycles)
20, Romolo Forcino (Bear Valley Bikes)
21, Randall Jacobs (Wheelworks Racing)
22, Ryan Clark (Cynergy)
23, Chris Heinrichh (The Path Bike Shop)
24, Zac Griffen (Mafia Racing)
25, Tsering Alleyne (Marin Bikes)

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

US Cup Triple Crown -- Bonelli Park, California -- Super-D and Overall Results

Super-D and Triple Crown Results

Men's Overall Podium

Women's Overall Podium

Pro Women

1,SAWICKI PUA
2,EMMETT KELLI
3,BYBERG LENE
4,MANN ALLISON
5,FORSMAN CHLOE
6,PARK KRISTA
7,SHERWOOD KAY

Pro Men

1,PLAXTON MAX
2,KABUSH GEOFF
3,WEBER DANA
4,HORGAN-KOBELS JEREMY
5,TABERLAY SID
6,MORKA ADAM
7,7WELLS TODD
8,SCHULTZ SAM
9,9PRADO MANUEL
10,SCHULTZ ANDY
11,SAGER JASON
12,SNEDDON KRIS
13,GLASSFORD PETER
14,TREBON RYAN
15,CARES COLIN
16,SNYDER ADAM
17,BRADFORD AARON
18,BIERMAN ERIC
19,FORCINO ROMOLO
20,WOODRUFF TJ
21,SIEGLE JASON
22,HERRERA JEFF
23,LOMBARDI VINCENT
24,BISHOP JEREMIAH
25,DOWNING TREVOR
26,FINSTERWALD RUSSELL
27,BYROM NATE
28,BEATON MATTHEW
29,PLEWS EVAN
30, LA BAR RYAN
31,ELLIOTT TAD
32,HOLCOMB NOAH
33,SCHNEIDER JOE
34,HERMON DEREK

Bonelli Triple Crown Overall Results

Pro Men

1, PLAXTON MAX
2,TABERLAY SID
3,KABUSH GEOFF

Pro Women

1, EMMETT KELLI
2, BYBERG LENE
3, SAWICKI PUA

US Cup Triple Crown -- Bonelli Park, California -- Short Track XC

Bonelli Park Short Track XC Pictures and Results

Geoff Kabush leads the men's paceline

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski starts to shake things up with an attack

With JHK back in the mix Taberlay keeps his eye on the competition

Taberlay leads the bunch across the line to claim back-to-back wins for Sho-Air/Specialized

Kelli Emmett gets the hole shot at the start of the women's race

Pua Sawicki stays in the mix during the women's STXC

Women's STXC podium with Chloe Forsman, Lene Byberg, Heather Irmiger, Kelli Emmett, and Pua Sawicki (left to right)

Short Track XC Results

Pro Women

1,IRMIGER HEATHER
2,BYBERG LENE
3,EMMETT KELLI
4,FORSMAN CHLOE
5,SAWICKI PUA
6,NEBEN AMBER
7,MANN ALLISON
8,PARK KRISTA
9,SHERWOOD KAY


Pro Men

1, TABERLAY SID
2,WELLS TODD
3,HORGAN-KOBELSKI JEREMY
4,BISHOP JEREMIAH
5,PLAXTON MAX
6,SCHULTZ SAM
7,KABUSH GEOFF
8,MORKA ADAM
9,WICKS BARRY
10,SAGER JASON
11,SNEDDON KRIS
12,FINSTERWALD RUSSELL
13,GLASSFORD PETER
14,ELLIOTT TAD
15,PRADO MANUEL
16,HERRERA JEFF
17,WOODRUFF TJ
18,CARES COLIN
19,ETTINGER STEPHEN
20,WEBER DANA
21,SCHULTZ ANDY
22,BIERMAN ERIC
23,TREBON RYAN
24,SNYDER ADAM
25,SIEGLE JASON
26,BEATON MATTHEW
27,DOWNING TREVOR
28,FORCINO ROMOLO
29,LOMBARDI VINCENT
30BYROM NATE
31,SCHNEIDER JOE
32,VERTICAN GARNET
33,KELLY JOSH
34,STOEHR CHAD
35,HERMON DEREK
36,PLEWS EVAN

US Cup Triple Crown -- Bonelli Park, California

Photos by: Danny Munson see more at dmunsonphoto.com

The 2010 racing season is officially upon us. With the opening race of the US Cup Triple Crown presented by H2Overdrive, the mountain biking public enjoyed the first Pro-level mountain bike event of the new year.

Sid Taberlay leads Geoff Kabush

Scott Tedro and the US Cup crew have been working hard this offseason to put together a rewarding and high-level series of events for the mountain biking public. They unveiled the first of the three races this weekend in Bonelli Park, California.
After a week of cold temperatures and rain the weather held off for the inaugural Triple Crown cross country on Saturday. The Pro fields were smaller than your average National Championship level event but stacked with top-ranked competition.

The men’s field included big guns like Geoff Kabush, National Champion Jeremy Horgan –Kobelski, youngster Sam Schultz, Todd Wells, Jeremiah Bishop and his Cannondale teammate Tinker Juarez, and of course the Sho-Air squad featuring Sid Taberlay, Max Plaxton, Manny Prado, and newcomer Tad Elliot.

With sizable cash on the line, these huge motors would be battling hard to reach the finish line first. As usual things got off to a fast start, with the group splitting and reforming several times throughout the opening laps.

At the halfway point Kabush, JHK, Wells, Schultz, Plaxton, and Taberlay all remained at the front with no room in between. Finally, with two laps to go, Plaxton broke clear of the bunch. Quickly getting a lead of 20 seconds on the chasers.

Taberlay was not about to chase down his teammate so it was up to Kabush to try and pull his countryman back.

Kabush and Taberlay changing wheels on the final lap (photo by Todd Park)

Disaster struck on the final lap when both Taberlay and Kabush flatted virtually ending the chase. Both riders lost spots but Taberlay had clearly been holding back. After the flat and a slightly hectic wheel change, the Aussie put down an outstanding final lap moving back into the second spot.

Max Plaxton charging toward the victory

Eventually Plaxton would take the win by less than a minute over his teammate who just squeaked in front of Subaru/ Gary Fisher man Sam Schultz. Kabush crossed the line a mere 3 seconds behind Schultz with Todd Wells another 11 seconds back.

The small but stacked women's field (photo by Todd Park)

In the women’s race just 11 riders took the start. But the small field included National Champion Heather Irmiger, Kelli Emmett, Pua Sawicki, World Class roadie Amber Neben, ’09 Bonelli winner Krista Park, and Lene Byberg.

The women would complete 5 laps of the 4-mile course. In the early laps, Pua Sawicki put the hammer down and took the early lead. Byberg and Emmett stayed close followed by Irmiger and Rock n Road Cyclery rider Allison Mann putting in a solid performance.

Lene Byberg challenges for the win

By the midway point Byberg had taken the top spot with Emmett still close behind. Irmiger continued to tap out a consistent cadence just behind. As the laps wound down it was clearly shaping up to be a close race between Byberg and Emmett. The two stayed wheel to wheel and entered the finish stretch locked together. Both riders kicked with all they had with Emmett gritting her teeth to cross the line first.

With the cross country complete riders will have to wait for the official winner of the Bonelli Park Triple Crown to be announced. Riders will have to contest a short track and Super-D event on Sunday before the winner is ultimately decided.

Stay tuned to MTBRaceNews.com for the latest results from Bonelli.

Race Notes:

Chloe Forsman back with Tokyo Joe's

Former U-23 National Champion Chloe Forsman made her national debut this weekend riding for the Tokyo Joes team

Juarez still in the mix

42 year old Tinker Juarez finished 11th in a stacked men’s field

Full Results from Bonelli Park, US Cup Triple Crown

Pro Women

1, Kelli Emmett (Giant) 1.33.21
2, Lene Byberg (Specialized) 1.33.22
3, Pua Sawicki (Okolstuff.com) 1.34.12
4, Allison Mann (Rock N Road Cyclery) 1.36.53
5, Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) 1.37.53
6, Amber Neben
7, Chloe Forsman (Tokyo Joe's)
8, Krista Park (Incycle/Cannondale)
9, Anna Fortner (Socal Cross Cycle)
10, Kay Sherwood (Tokyo Joes)
DNF Rebecca Tomaszewski (NinerErgon)


Pro Men

1, PLAXTON MAX (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.35.35
2,TABERLAY SID (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.36.26
3,SCHULTZ SAM (Gary Fisher/Subaru) 1.36.28
4,KABUSH GEOFF (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) 1.36.31
5,WELLS TODD (Specialized) 1.36.42
6,MORKA ADAM (Trek Canada) 1.36.59
7,BISHOP JEREMIAH (Cannondale Factory Racing) 1.37.06
8,HORGAN-KOBELS JEREMY (Gary Fisher/Subaru) 1.38.22
9,WICKS BARRY (Kona) 1.39.04
10,GLASSFORD PETER 1.39.05
11,JUAREZ DAVID (TINKER) (Cannondale) 1.39.25
12, TREBON RYAN (Kona) 1.39.51
13,PRADO MANUEL (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.40.43
14,WOODRUFF TJ (Trek Bicycles Boulder) 1.40.48
15,SNEDDON KRIS (Kona) 1.40.53
16,FINSTERWALD RUSSELL (Gary Fisher/Subaru) 1.41.36
17,SCHULTZ ANDY (Kenda/Felt) 1.41.59
18,SAGER JASON (Jamis) 1.42.43
19,HOKE MITCHELL (Tokyo Joes) 1.43.13
20,ETTINGER STEPHEN (Mafia/Felt/PBR) 1.43.54
21,CARES COLIN
22,LOMBARDI VINCENT
23,VALADEZ MIGUEL
24,WEBER DANA
25,ELLIOTT TAD
26,SNYDER ADAM
27,BRADFORD AARON
28,PLEWS EVAN
29,FORCINO ROMOLO
30,WHITMAN NATE
31,DONOVAN SEAN
32,ANDREWS DOUG
33,HERRERA JEFF
34,SIEGLE JASON
35,PRENZLOW BRENT
36,BEATON MATTHEW
37,BOONE ALEX
38,COCHRAN MATTHEW
39,FREIWALD PAUL
40,BIERMAN ERIC
41,OBRIEN TOM
42,JENKINS CHARLES
43,JACOBS RANDALL
44,DOWNING TREVOR
45,CONNORS MATTHEW
46,NAG NITISH
47,STOEHR CHAD
48,FREEMAN MATT
49,BYROM NATE
50,SCHNEIDER JOE
51,HEINRICH CHRIS
52,HERMON DEREK
53,KOERNER TOM

US Cup Triple Crown Update: Bonelli Park, California

At the halfway point this is where everything stands:

In the women's event Lene Byberg (Specialized) is out front with Kelli Emmett (Giant) just behind. Then comes Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com), Allison Mann (Rock n Road Cyclery), and Heather Irmiger (Gary Fisher) rounding out the top-5.

After three of six laps the men have formed a large group at the front of the race with Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Gary Fisher), and Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain) leading a pack containing Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air), Jeremiah Bishop (CFR), and Sam Schultz (Gary Fisher).

With one lap to go:

Byberg maintains the lead in the women's race.

In the men's race, Sho-Air rider Max Plaxton attacked with two laps to go. He has increased his lead heading into the final lap. Taberlay and Kabush both stopped in the pits for a wheel change.

Final Results:

Canadian Max Plaxton continues the Sho-Air domination of the US Cup taking first. His teammate Aussie Sid Taberlay comes in second after a mechanical with one lap to go. Gary Fisher rider Sam Schultz took third followed by Geoff Kabush and Specialized man Todd Wells.

The women's race ended in a sprint finish with Kelli Emmett crossing the line just in front of Lene Byberg to take the win. Pua Sawicki finished third in front of Allison Mann and National Champion Heather Irmiger.

More to come...

H2O Overdrive Triple Crown-Bonelli Park Pre View

On the eve of the inaugural H2O Overdrive Triple Crown opener at Bonelli Park, things are shaping up to be a fantastic event.

Start of the 2009 Bonelli US Cup cross country event this season will include a short track and Super-D

The US Cup staff has been putting in the final touches on what has been hundred of man hours of re designing the Bonelli Park course.

Sunny skies and mild temps are on tap for the weekend, as the snow-capped San Gabriel’s set a perfect back drop to the Southern California venue.

Pro XC Course: The H2O Overdrive Pro cross country course features a four mile loop, with six hundred plus feet of climbing per lap. There will be the addition of a special start loop used on the first lap only, to let the pack sort itself out, and hopefully help alleviate the all too often bottle neck, and subsequent hike-a-bike that follows.

New singletrack, bridge crossings, steep punchy climbs and shaded switchbacks should be a welcomed site for riders and spectators, a far cry from the normal dusty fire roads that most people associate with a Southern California urban venue.

Rocky climb with dual racing lines

Pro men will do six laps, and women are slated for 5. The course is expected to get faster over the weekend, as the course packs down and dry’s out from the recent rains. Lap times look to be in the 15-17 minute range, making for a very spectator and media friendly course.

The players: In only its first year, the H2O Overdrive Triple Crown is drawing some of the world’s top tier talent, with riders like World Cup winner Geoff Kabush and Silver World Medalist Lene Byberg slated to attend. Both Kabush and Byberg will have heavy competition, as the men and women both go for a potential $20,000 dollar combined pro purse.

Other notables include Sho-Air/Specialized riders Sid Taberlay, Max Plaxton, Tad Elliot and Manny Prado. Gary Fisher/Subaru sends out Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Sam Schultz and Heather Irmiger, who were voted North American team of the year for 2009. The Kona team sends out Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks, and Specialized Factory rider Todd Wells is expected to be in the mix all weekend as well. Canada’s Adam Morka makes the trip down to test his early season form, as well as a host of the nation’s fastest men and women racers. The 2009 Bonelli event was won by Krista Park (Incycle/Cannondale) and Sid Taberlay.

The format: Saturday will be the H2O Overdrive XC race, while Sunday the riders will complete the Triple Crown event with a Short Track race and a Super D TT that will crown the first winner of the season.

Singletrack on the backside of the course. The San Gabriel mountains can be seen in the background

US Cup West #1: Sagebrush Safari

Sawicki and Taberlay start off the 2010 US Cup season with wins

Pro Men's Podium: Vincent Lombardi, Jeremiah Bishop, Sid Taberlay, Manuel Prado, and Dana Weber (left to right) Photo courtesy of Manuel Prado

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 2.00.20
2, Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) 2.02.59
3, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized) 2.07.31
4, Vincent Lombardi (Velosport) 2.08.02
5, Dana Weber (Trek/World Bicycle Relief) 2.08.06
6, Adam Snyder (Jamis Bikes) 2.08.07
7, Romolo Forcino (Bear Valley Bikes) 2.08.17
8, Miguel Valdez 2.10.03
9, Menso De Jong (Santa Cruz Bicycles) 2.12.05
10, Jason Siegle (Bike Religion) 2.14.42
11, Doug Johnson
12, Charles Jenkins
13, Sean Donovan
14, Dezmin Wilder
15, John Nobil
16, Paul Freiwald
17, Tsering Alleyne
18, Matthew Connors
19, Eric Biermann
20, Alex Boone
21, Robert Herber
22, Ryan Clark
23, Tom Koerner
24, Chris Heinrich
25, Noah Holcomb
26, Matt Freeman
27, Derek Hermon

Pro Women

1, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) 2.17.03
2, Allison Mann (Rock 'n Road Cycling) 2.26.30
3, Rebecca Tomaszewski (Niner/Ergon) 2.42.21
4, Anna Fortner (Team Socal Cross) 2.49.08
5, Dorothy Wong (Team Socal Cross) 3.16.10

Kenda Cup West Opener Drawing Top Talent

The Kenda Cup West Series opener at Sage Brush, brought to you by Team Duke.Org is drawing top pro and amatuer athlete’s for 2010.

2009 race winner Sid Taberlay

Last years Sage Brush men’s pro winner; Sho-Air/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay, brings with him a 2010 Austrailian National Short Track title to this year’s event, as the Aussie looks to make it two for two.

Men's start in 2009

Taberlay will be hard pressed in 2010 however, as newly signed Cannondale Factory riders Jeremiah Bishop and Tinker Juarez are set to race this weekend. Add in 2009 La Ruta and Costa Rican XC Champion Manny Prado of the Sho-Air/Specialized team, and the 2010 Kenda Cup West Series opener is shaping up to be a slug fest.

Women's podium in 2009 with Pua Sawicki on the top step

2009 women’s race winner, Pua Sawiki, of Team Mata/Okle Stuff.com looks to repeat as a two time race winner. Sawiki will have a solid line up of women racer’s with Rock N Road’s Allison Mann and others trying to knock off the six time National Endurance Champion.

The Sage Brush racecourse

About Sage Brush: Located east of San Diego off Interstate 8, the Sage Brush course is a throw back to a more tradional mountain bike loop, with multiple distances ranging from 26.8 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing for the Pro and CAT 1 loop, to a shorter 18 mile loop for the CAT 2 and 3 riders.

The course uses exsisting jeep and motorcycle trails of the Lake Morena OHV park and offers racers a wide variety of terrain, with rolling Whoop De Doo’s, banked berm corners and a fun flowy style of riding. For the mountain bike purist, Sage Brush is a must attend event!
Sage Brush course map http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_racer.php?route_id=21974\

US Cup Unification Race and Season Finale: Bonelli Park, California

Nearly four hundred competitors came out to stake their claim at the U.S. Cup unification race at Bonelli Park on Sunday the 20th. Racers were met with warm sunny skies with temps topping out in the high 80’s, and the racing was just as intense.



With a custom Primal unification jersey up for grabs and a load of swag from contributing US Cup sponsors, racers were leaving it all out on the course in hopes of adding one more title to their resume, and another trophy to the mantle before the season’s end.

In the men’s Pro Class, it was Sid Taberlay defending his Kenda Cup West title against some heavy hitters, who were there to try and topple his efforts.

At the end of the day, Taberlay proved to be too strong for Team Turbo’s Ignacio Torres from Mexico and KHS/Cytomax’s Sean Donovan. Rounding out the unification pro men’s podium was Trek rider Dana Weber and Team Sho-Air/Specialized’s Manny Prado.



After the race Taberlay had this to say.
“Well mate it’s been a long season, and I’m glad to end on a high note. These guys weren’t giving me an inch and made me earn it”, elaborated Taberlay. “I just want to thank Sho-Air/Specialized as well as other team sponsors for their backing this year. It was my first full year in the States and I think it went pretty well all things considered.” continued the Australian.

In the Women’s class, Kenda Cup West Champion Krista Park from the Incycle team lost the battle on the day but won the war. It was Sho-Air support rider Alison Mann taking her first professional win after turning pro in March 2009. However because of her late start, Park got the Unification title based on her points accumulation and her second place finish on the day.

“It was great to get my first real pro win out of the way,” expressed Mann. “Krista and I battled back and forth and neither one of us could get an advantage. I just bided my time in the heat and made my move stick when she ran into some shifting problems,” explained Alison.

“Bonelli Park looks very likely to host the opening round of the 2010 PRO XCT series in early March and the venue has a lot of potential”, states US Cup marketing director Ty Kady. In conjunction with USA Cycling we should be releasing a full PRO XCT schedule as early as October or maybe sooner once we confirm commitments from promoters and venues.

“We also have some exciting things lined up for the US Cup as well for 2010 and should be releasing that calendar here shortly over the fall. We are hoping to expand our presence across the country and offer both pro and amateurs a great racing experience and some titles to shoot for,” elaborates Kady.


Results

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized)
2, Ignacio Torres
3, Sean Donovan (Cytomax/KHS)
4, Dana Weber
5, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized)
6, Ben Bostrom
7, Romolo Forcino
8, Kevin Smallman
9, Tom Koerner
10, Paul Freiwald (Pivot)

Pro Women

1, Alison Mann (Sho-Air/Specialized)
2, Krista Park (Incycle/NoTubes)
3, Joy Duerkson

Type rest of the post here

Race Report: Cowbell Challenge: Marathon and Kenda Cup East Cross Country

With the heat index hovering in the 115 range, racers in the Cowbell Challenge Marathon took off from downtown Davidson, NC, at 10 am. Six and one-quarter miles of hard surface to get to the dirt and Fisher Farm, and 6 laps of climbs, rock gardens and great single track. Harlan Price (Independent Fabrication) took the top spot on the Men’s Pro Open podium, and also posted the fastest lap on the 8-milecourse at 37:52.389. Just one minute and 22 seconds behind him, Jaifer Beizer (Jittery Joe's U25 p/b Kudzu.com) finished in second. Aaron Oakes (Bulldog/Cycle Craft) finished in third. Nine men finished on the lead lap.

Carey Lowery crosses the line in 1st

On the Women’s Pro Open side, Carey Lowery (Outdoor Store/Specialized) determined that “third time’s the charm,” took top honors from Rebecca Rusch (Specialized/Red Bull), who finished strong but behind Carey by six minutes and 15 seconds. Carey also scored the fastest lap for the field with a time of 44:26.151. Rebecca Tomaszewski (Niner Bikes/Ergon) took third. Eight women in the 12-racer field completed the full six laps in the punishing heat.

In Sunday’s Cross country events, Thomas Turner (Out Spoken/Specialized) and Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er Crew) battled in a sprint to the finish, with Tom taking the win by just 2 seconds, and both averaging lap times of just under 34 minutes for the 8 mile course. Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes) finished third, just under 11 seconds behind Sam. Travis Livermon took fourth, with Ryan Woodall coming in fifth.

Jamie Dinkins(Motor Mile Racing) stood at the top of the podium for the Women’s Pro, finishing 16 seconds ahead of Anina Aaron (Heart’s Racing Club) came in second, followed by Johanna Kraus in third, Kylie Krass (Independent Fabrications) in fourth and Philicia Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)in fifth place.

Marathon Results: http://www.mylaps.com/results/showrun.jsp?id=1187382&perclass=1
Cross Country Results: http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=436231

Report and Full Results from Kenda Cup East #3 at Massanutten Resort, Virginia

Scenic Massanutten Resort (Photo by: ITMexposures.com) 

Written by: Shannon Boffeli

Before there was front-suspension, clipless pedals, and 9-speed rear cassettes there was the Massanutten Hoo-Ha. An East coast tradition since 1989, the Hoo-Ha has been a showcase event for riders up and down the Eastern seaboard.


Majestic Massanutten Resort is a 6,000 plus acre get-away located in beautiful northern Virginia on the edge of George Washington National Forest. Massanutten Resort offers 25 miles of pristine singletrack mountain bike trails.

Massanutten has scenery to spare (Photo by: ITMexposures.com)

George Willetts has been involved with the Hoo-Ha since it’s inception, first as a racer and now as one of the event’s promoters. Willets can’t say enough about the uniqueness of the Hoo-Ha and the local cycling culture. “Harrisonburg and the local area is really the hub of East Coast cycling. We have an outstanding trail system, which just keeps getting better. The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) builds all our local trails with the help and input of phenomenal riders like Jeremiah Bishop and the outstanding Sue Haywood.”

After 21 years of racing the Hoo-Ha has now joined the elite ranks of the national series. In 2009, Massanutten joined forces with the Kenda Cup East as well as the GT Golden Bike series and the IMBA Team Challenge. Ken Hess and the promoters of the event hope to use the success of their race to aid in the resurgence of American mountain bike racing. If Scott Tedro and the Sho-Air crew continue to hunt out extraordinary events like the Massanutten Hoo-Ha the success of mountain biking in the U.S. is assured.

Men's podium (Photo by: Steven Hoover)

Sunday’s cross country main event was a continuation of last weekend’s Mohican 100. With Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com), Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op), and Harlan Price (IF) all toeing the start line. Despite the course being about 75 miles shorter, the results were virtually the same with Jeremiah Bishop crossing the line first, Schalk coming in third and Harlan Price getting lost. This time Kenda Cup East series leader Sam Koerber crossed the line in second. Travis Livermon took fourth place with Price recovered to take the final podium spot.

Women's podium (photo by: Steven Hoover)

In the women’s race youngster Jamie Dinkins proved strongest taking the win followed by Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes), Jane Pearsons, Jenny Smith, and Kylie Krauss in fifth.

Pro Men

1, Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
2, Sam Koerber ( Gary Fisher 29er Crew)
3, Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op)
4, Travis Livermon
5, Harlan Price (Independent Fabrications)
6, Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
7, David Walker
8, Nathaneal Wyatt
9, Martin Kell
10, Alex Ryan
11, Rickey Visinski
12, Justin Raynes
13, Christopher Michaels
14, Dave Weaver
15, Timothy Carson
16, Brad Wilhelm
17, Jed Prentice
18, Paul Kolb
19, Thomas Turner
DNF Jordan Kahlenberg
DNF Matt Rotroff
DNF Daniel Corum
DNF Patric Wallace

Pro Women

1, Jamie Dinkins
2, Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
3, Jane Pearsons
4, Jenny Smith
5, Kylie Krauss
6, Philicia Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes)
DNF Johanna Draus

Preview: Pro XC Tour #3: Birmingham, Alabama

Geoff Kabush leads the field in Fontana

Pro XC Tour Heads South

This Sunday the elite of North American mountain biking will be heading to the Southland to do battle in the heat and humidity of Birmingham, Alabama. While the Bump ‘n Grind is in it’s 14th year, 2009 will be it’s debut on the U.S. National circuit. Organizers of the Bump ‘n Grind will be unveiling a new racecourse for the showcase Pro event. The circuit will be 5.4 miles with a mix of singletrack, road, and bridges. With only 500 feet of climbing per lap and few opportunities to create space between racers some tight racing and close finishes should be expected.

For the first time since the opening round in Fontana, the Pro men’s race will feature all the top racers. Sunday’s main event will have top guns Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain/Maxxis), Adam Craig (Giant), and Todd Wells (Specialized). All three have been doing battle on the World Cup circuit and now return to treat the U.S. fans to an all out showdown.

Kabush has to be the odds on favorite as the Canadian has rarely been defeated on U.S. soil. Wells can be expected to challenge for the top spot if he can escape the mechanical problems that have plagued him this season.

U.S. National Champion Adam Craig

Along with Craig, Subaru/Gary Fisher riders Jeremy Horgan-Kobleski and Sam Schultz should be spending plenty of time at the front of the race. Look out for Barry Wicks and his Kona teammate Ryan Trebon to use their big engines to try and power away on the relatively flat racetrack. Max Plaxton (Sho-Air/Specialized) has the skill to compete at the World Cup level but has stayed stateside focusing on the Pro XC Tour. He should be rested up and ready to take on Kabush and company.

Look for Southern boys Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er Crew) and Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes) to try and do something special in front of a home crowd. Both riders have the experience and strength to produce a top-10 finish.

The women’s race features a small but talented field including perennial favorites Georgia Gould and Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team). The most interesting addition to this Sunday’s race will be Lea Davison (Rocky Mountain/Maxxis). Davison, who had her best season in 2008, has been absent from the opening rounds of the Pro XC Tour. Keep a close eye on her for a top finish in Alabama.

Pua Sawicki and Kelli Emmett will be shoulder to shoulder again in Alabama

Other big hitters in the field will be Willow Koerber and Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) along with Kelli Emmett (Giant), Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) and Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth).

The inaugural Pro XC Tour race is Alabama should be an exciting one. Check back with MTBracenews.com on Sunday for the most up-to-date race results from Pro XC Tour #3.

Writing and Photos by: Shannon Boffeli

Kenda Cup East #1: Ducktown, Tennessee- Results, Photos, and Preliminary Report

Rain drenches the Kenda Cup East opener

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."

Racers try to clean up following the race

Written By: Greg Gibson

Photos By: Kayleen Hiatt

Pro Men

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)

Kenda Cup East #1 in Ducktown, Tennessee

The US Cup moves east for the opening round of the Kenda Cup East in Ducktown, Tennessee this Sunday. After 5 rounds on the west coast The Kenda Cup has proven to be popular and effective in increasing participation at the national level. Now they take their show to the east coast.

The inaugural race of the Kenda Cup East will take place at the Ocoee White Water Center, site of last weekend’s Cohutta 100. The racecourse will favor the climbers with a mixture of open Jeep road climbing and challenging singletrack descents. Each lap is approximately 10.5 miles long and offers up 1,752 vertical feet of climbing. The trail surface is advertised as “hard pack even in wet conditions” which could come into play as the forecast calls for thunderstorms all weekend.

Unlike the riders on the west coast, the Eastern crowd isn’t afraid of a little rain and mud. They have been raised on a diet of slippery roots, wheel grabbing rock gardens, and tenacious gear grinding mud. Forget names like Taberlay and Carey, it’s time for riders like Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er Crew), Thomas Turner (Outspokin/Specialized), Charlie Pendry (Inland Construction), Robert Marion (Kenda/KMC/Hayes) and Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com) to take their shot at the title of Kenda Cup East Champion.

Koerber has been the strongest in the Southeast Regional Championship Series (SERC) this spring. Taking wins in Bryson City, NC and Columbia, TN. The Gary Fisher rider is just one week out from a 100-mile effort at Cohutta and may be dealing with some flat legs. Thomas Turner is showing good form after taking first at SERC #4 in Winder, Georgia one week ago. Kenda rider Robert Marion finished 2nd in Ducktown last year and is coming off his first ever National top-10 finish in the Sea Otter Short Track. The wildcard will be Monavie man Bishop. The Marathon and Short Track National Champion is hard to beat in any Cross Country event and should be even more formidable racing in his own backyard.


In the women’s field, look for regional favorites Jamie Dinkins (Motor Mile Racing), Anna Jean Dallaire (Cannondale), Anina Aaron (Kenda/KMC/Hayes), and Shelly Allen (Ride-n-Roll) to be battling for the top spots. Dinkins had a phenomenal 2008 that saw her going all the way to the World Championships in the U-23 division as well as a win in Ducktown. She looks strong to repeat this year having taken the win last weekend in Winder, GA. Fighting to unseat the returning champion will be Dallaire who was runner up in ’08. Shelly Allen has two wins on the SERC series this spring and will be looking to continue her winning ways.

This weekend should be an exciting start to an exciting Kenda Cup East series. The series includes six races in six different states including Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Vermont, and New York. Both the Kenda Cup East and West will conclude with the unification race in Las Vegas this September.

MTBracenews.com will be bringing you full coverage from Kenda Cup East #1 in Ducktown, Tennessee this weekend with full results, photos, and race reports.

Kenda Cup West #5: Los Olivos, California

Writing and Photos by: Todd Park

Although still a factor, the heat at Santa Ynez was significantly lower than both last year and last week for the US West Cup #5. The course was a mixture of double and single track, cut down by about 1.5 miles from last year. Gusty winds both cooled the racers while at the same time made them work harder and look for help along the ridges and in the valleys.

Pro Men:

Sho-Air sent Manny Prado off the front at the start of the race, forcing Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) and other racers without team help to make a decision early. The attack didn’t last long, however, before Sho-Air/Specialized teammate Sid Taberlay went off the front, where he stayed for the remainder the race, to take an easy victory. Schultz and Aaron Olsen (Oakley/Sidi) worked together until Schultz flatted near the end, just barely finishing ahead of fourth place Craig Ritchey (Blue Comp).

Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) leading the chase

Pro Women:

Kathy Sherwin (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) led out with Alison Mann (Sho-Air/Specialized) and Amanda Carey (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) not far behind. Sherwin led for two-and-a-half laps with the exception of a brief turn up front by Mann. There would be no time to relaxing for the top three, with only 15-30 seconds separating them for most of the race. That is until Amanda Carey made what is now becoming her signature move, a late charge on the last lap, passing both Mann and Sherwin to finish over a minute out front.

Sherwin and Carey (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes)

Race Notes:

The best action was in the kid’s race when two determined little girls met head on!

The next generation of Pro Women

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.44.39
2, Aaron Olsen (Oakley,Sidi) 1.46.53
3, Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac) 1.49.45
4, Craig Ritchey (Blue Comp)1.49.51
5, Dana Weber (Trek) 1.51.30
6, Daniel Sessford (Blue Comp)
7, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized)
8, Charles Jenkins (Cytomax/KHS)
9, Sean Donovan (Cytomax/KHS)
10, Paul Friewald (Pivot)
11, Jason Siegle (Bear Valley Bikes)
12, Drew Edsall (Scott USA)
13, John Nobil (Bear Valley Bikes)
14, Chad Stoehr
15, Matt Freeman (Pass PT)
16, Romolo Forcino (Bear Valley Bikes)
17, Alex Boone (Helens/Subaru)
18, Matthew Connors (Fisher 29er Crew)
19, Hal Helbock (Cytomax/KHS)
20, Garnet Vertican (Giant/ODI)
21, Noah Holcomb (Cannondale Factory)
22, Zachary Griffin
23, Derek Hermon (Bear Valley Bikes)

Pro Women
1, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Tomac) 2.08.36
2, Kathy Sherwin (Kenda/Tomac) 2.09.38
3, Alison Mann (Sho-Air/Specialized) 2.11.52
4, Krista Park (Incycle) 2.13.12
5, Natasha Hernday (Amgen) 2.14.37
6, Joy Duerksen (Pass PT) 2.19.23
7, Heather Ranoa (Intense Cycles) 2.22.02
DNF Zephanie Blasi

Official Results, Report, and Photos from Kenda Cup West #3: San Diego, California

Writing and Photos by: Todd Park

Kenda Cup West #3 - Sagebrush Safari, sponsored by Sho-Air/Specialized and Kenda, delivered as advertised, a little something for everyone. There were two major climbs on pavement, racers were rewarded with some fast, bermed singletrack, some rolling terrain and a few hike-a-bike sections inter-mixed. The racers would gain over 3,700 feet in elevation before crossing the finish line.

Pro Women:

The Pro Women’s field was stacked with five of the top fifteen finishers from last week’s Pro XCT race in Fontana lining up at the start line. Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth) went hard from the start, towing the rest of the field past most of the single speeders and into the tail end of the Pro Men’s field during the long flat section before the first climb. Most of the women were happy to be towed to the climb where they knew the real action would start.

Natasha Hernday (AMGEN) attacked first, but Sawicki quickly regained the lead and began to put time on the field. “I got up the hill a ways looked back; no one was behind me” she would later comment.

Through the first feed zone, it was Sawicki, then 60 seconds later Allison Mann (IE Bikes), who also made her definitive move on the first climb, then the Kenda/Tomac/Hayes Team Amanda Carey, Zephani Blasi and Kathy Sherwin followed by Natasha Hernday.

Sawicki increased her lead over Mann to 3 minutes by the time they got back to the feed zone and headed up Los Pinos Mountain. Hernday moved into fifth behind Carey and Blasi, followed shortly by Kathy Sherwin. Carey and Hernday climbed well on Los Pinos Mountain. “My legs came around on the last climb” Carey said after the race.

Coming through the feed zone for the final time, Sawicki and Mann were still first and second with 7 minutes between them and would finish the race in the same order. It was an amazing display of power and determination by Pua Sawicki and another great finish for Allison Mann in only her second Pro race.

A race for third place between Carey and Hernday, which started on the Los Pinos climb, began to heat up and would end in a sprint finish. “Natasha was good at clearing traffic [on the last downhill]; we went back and forth to the finish and I got her in the sprint” Amanda quoted after the race. Sherwin came in behind them for a strong fifth place finish.

Pro Women Podium

Pro Men:

Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) and Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) reached the first feed zone 10 seconds ahead of Taberlay's teammates, Manny Prado and Sam Jurekovic, and dove into the singletrack. Schultz did a majority of the work in this first section while Taberlay, knowing his teammates were close behind, was happy to sit on.

Schultz races for the single track as Taberlay looks for teammates

Still together for the second pass through the feed zone, Schultz and Taberlay increased their gap on the field to 45 seconds. Rob Squire (U-23 National Team) worked his way into fourth position between Sam Jurekovic and Manny Prado (15 seconds on either side) before the racers headed up Los Pinos Mountain.

Refueling before the climb up Los Pinos Mountain

The final time through the feed area would all but decide the outcome of this race; if there was a gap, the leader would win, if they were together, it would likely come down to a sprint. The lead moto came through followed by Taberlay, having gapped Schultz by 25 seconds. This would be the order at the finish line, followed by Jurekovic, Squire and Prado.

“I made a few small attacks at the top [of Los Pinos Mountain] but he stayed with me”, Schultz commented after the race, “he stayed on my wheel for the entire downhill section, and for about a minute on the climb back to the feed zone, then he put in a major attack and got enough of a gap to make it stick.”

Pro Men Podium

Schultz pushed hard from the start to counter the team tactics that the Sho-Air/Specialized team are starting to get a reputation for; “they [tactics] didn’t play as big a role as they have in previous races” he noted.


Official Results

Pro Men

1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.42.39
2, Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac) 1.43.51
3, Sam Jurekovic (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.44.34
4, Robbie Squire (U-23 National Team) 1.45.20
5, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized) 1.45.49
6, Tad Elliot (U23 National Team)
7, Dana Weber (Trek)
8, Sean Donovan (Cytomax/KHS)
9, Charles Jenkins (Cytomax/KHS)
10, Ethan Gilmour (U23 National Team)
11, Miguel Valadez (Mex-American)
12, David Williams (Bear Valley)
13, Romolo Forcino (Bear Valley)
14, Alex Boone (Helens)
15, Ryan Clark (Cynergy)
16, Matt Freeman (Pass PT)
17, Jason Siegle (Bear Valley)
18, Paul Freiwald (Pivot Cycles)
19, Chad Harris (Racer’s Cycle Service)
20, Eric Bierman (Steven K Cycles)
21, Matthew Connors (Fisher 29er Crew)
22, Chris Heinrich
23, Hal Helbock (Cytomax/KHS)
24, John Nobil (Bear Valley
25, Robert Bender (Don’s Bikes)
26, Menso De Jong (Santa Cruz)
27, Garnet Vertican (Giant)
28, Tom Koerner (Bear Valley)
29, Steve Kinney (Steven K Bikes)
30, Chance Noble (Cal Giant Berry)
31, Noah Holcomb (Cannondale)
32, Derek Hermon (Bear Valley)
33, Jeffery Meyer (Axis Sport)
DNF Lawrence Leonard

Pro Women

1, Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth) 1.57.11
2, Allison Mann (IE Bikes) 2.05.11
3, Amanda Carey (Kenda/Tomac) 2.06.37
4, Natasha Hernday (Amgen) 2.06.38
5, Kathy Sherwin (Kenda/Tomac) 2.07.49
6, Krista Park (InCycle/Magura/No Tubes)
7, Heather Ranoa (Intense Cycles)
8, Sarah Kaufmann (Titus/Roaring Mouse)
DNF Zephanie Blasi (Kenda/Tomac)