Acold start to Saturday at the Windrock Pro GRT meant the pits were in slow motion, as riders milled about the rural venue trying to stay warm and get pumped to ride. The gray sky loomed overhead, but all we felt were the flurries of snow before practice began.
-Story, interviews and photos by Zach Faulkner
Pro Men
Audio - Greg Williamson
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Audio - Neko Mulally
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The track dried up from rains earlier in the week, but it was getting abused and rough meaning riding was no easier than Friday's greasy conditions. Being the weekend, Windrock was abuzz with every sort of motorized vehicle heading out to explore the 400+ miles of off-road trails that the 72,000-acre public park has squirreled away. As two strokes turned over and rock crawlers lumbered up the access road, downhill mountain bike racers were layering up and getting motivated to ride.
Audio - Quinton Spaulding of KHS Factory Racing
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Audio - C.E. Gerrity, Security
The mix of fuel injection and pedal power was a unique juxtaposition, with each side of the line gawking at the other. The motor folk thought the cyclists were nuts for riding bikes over rocks and big jumps, and the riders thought the fossil-fuel-drinking folk were insane for operating powerful motorized machines with minimal safety gear [read: quad riders with no helmets on...!]. But, it was all amicable and pleasant, and the cohabitation of sport was a reassuring sight to see.
Pro Women
Audio - Caroline Washam
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Audio - Angelina Polermo
Race day got underway promptly, and the stayed on schedule start to finish thanks to the hard work of race organizers and volunteers. The riding was furiously paced, and the times were fiercely tight. The spectating turnout was better than expected, but the rider turnout was fantastic. Deep fields across Elite Women, Men, and Juniors were impressive and bodes well for the season ahead.
Junior Men (Cat 1 15-18)
Audio - Nik Nestoroff (the kids are alright!)
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Audio - Steve Walton
Audio - Jonathon Lefrancois
Audio - Austen Hacket-Klaube
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Audio - Logan Mulally
Audio - Burke Sanders from I9
Neko Mulally (local World Cup racer and manager of the Windrock Bike Park) and his crew of family and friends produced a stellar event, one which has been heralded as the new benchmark for American racing, and what it means to produce a quality event. In just two weekends in the South East, American DH racing has been reinvigorated and re-inspired. 2017 is looking rad!
MTB Mania Goods (DANG TOMMY ZULA!!!)
Audio - Trill Will raps the Junior Top 5
Pro Men's Results
- Greg Williamson, Cube Global Squad, 2:44.242
- Neko Mulally, YT Mob, 2:47.692
- Isak Leivsson, Canfield / DVO, 2:52.270
- Shane Leslie, Defiant Racing, 2:52.753
- Bruce Klein, KHS Factory Racing, 2:53.064
Pro Women's Results
- Caroline Washam, Liv / Spoked, 3:41.156
- Angelina Polermo, Marian University, 3:44.125
- Vera Leivsdottir, Bergen MTB Klubb, 3:50.930
- Frida Ronning, Canfield, 4:03.839
- Rae Gandolf, Kona / Bike Fettish / Onza / HT, 4:04.846
Jr. Men's Results
- Nik Nestoroff, Intense Factory Racing, 2:55.266
- Steve Walton, Commencal, 3:02.852
- Nathan St. Clair, Kona / FOX / Shimano, 3:06.111
- Trevor Boldi, YT / Sensus TLD, 3:08.063
- David Kahn, IJ Racing, Intense Cycles, 3:08.711
50 Action Photos from Race Day at Windrock
WINNER'S CIRCLE - The Race Winners and Their Bikes
Vital would like to thank Zach Faulkner for his incredible work on the ground, in the pits and up late at night. Thanks for showing us that #USDH is back! -gordo
3/12/2017 11:38am
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