Deep Shadows and Brown Pow

Vertigo Summer Series, Race 1


It’s never too early for the race season to start, so this past weekend Vertigo Bikes kicked off its annual race series headed by co-owner Pang.  The fresh-cut track courtesy of Jimi Ramsey, the designated track builder for the Vertigo Summer Series, was immediately rutted up, dust lingered on everything, and sun beams cut through the dark woods.  The turnout was strong, which is encouraging, as all proceeds go back to the QMTBC (Queenstown Mountain Bike Club).  This local race series is all about fun, community involvement, and a good laugh with friends.  The format was two-hours of practice, followed by two race runs, fastest time counts.  And while it's all in the name of fun, it's no less competitive than usual!  Have a scroll, read, and listen for all the action from the one-day event!

Registration had a proper club vibe, Pang on the computer making sure everything is in place for the afternoon.
With a new timing system in place, event organizer Pang actually gets to race this year instead of just doing admin!

Pang enjoying the fresh track instead of the keyboard for a change!

Working all day in the shop hasn't slowed Pang down, going 4th in Masters!


[PANG AUDIO]

The woods in Queestown are gigantic non-native fir trees, which create some of the harshest contrasted conditions around. Alistar Martin created his own light all in white.

In one of the roughest places to ride, Pete makes it all look smooth.
He has the hardtail dialed and shreds.

The loam was deep and dry, Boucherot Tanguy chasing Kurt McDonald into the unknown.

Boucherot was noteably quick on track. riding with the classic light-and-precise french style.
He took the Men Open 19-29 win convincingly.
Rocking the 2.5 Magic Mary tires, Chapelet Haxence came prepared for the holes and loose terrain.
He rode with notable consistency all day, finding 2nd in Open Men 19-29.
Firing right out of the gate, Antoine Buffart wasted no time.
Up to speed and sporting excellent form, he kept it going into 3nd in Open Men 19-29.

They call her Bob, and she shreds harder than you.

Bob was swinging off the back and flew into 1st in Open Women.

Lucie Vodrazkova spent the week leading up to the event putting in laps up the hill.
Her efforts paid off, going 2nd in Open Women.

Matt Lawton did a little excavating to dig himself into 6th in Expert Men.

[JIMMY AUDIO]

Course designer and builder Jimi Ramsey hanging a foot in one of the opening corners.
One of the benefits of making the track is knowing where the cheeky lines are hiding.

Wrestling the beast through the whoops, Jimi wrung it all out to the line, finding 4th with his efforts.

The King of Skyline, Reece Potter was out in the mix and looking lightning fast as usual.

A fork issue has Reece switching to his trail bike halfway through the afternoon.
The bike doesn't matter much though, and Reece charged into 8th in Expert Men.

2015's Wynyard World Champ, Kurt McDonald is now powered by tacos and still charging.

HIs diet and training are unorthodox, but it worked out for 7th in Expert Men.

Formly lifty and champion of the people, Winton Stevens put the hurt on all day for 4th in Expert Men.
Raising it up for the boys, Craig Munro kept it fast and fun for 10 in Expert Men.

Gnarly halo for a gnarly dude. Joel Tunbridge 5th place in Expert Men.

Will Adamson turned heads all day, with fast and smooth lines bigger riders couldn't manage.
His consitant pace earned him 2nd in U19 Men.

The kids are alright! Cameron Marshall stormed down the hill to take the U19 win.

The spotlight made every rider feel special.

The lighting couldn't have been weirder - riding up Skyline takes some adjusting to.

Escaping the UK Winter, James Purvis is in Queenstown for a warm holiday.
He's wasting no time, riding every day and then getting 2nd in Expert Men.

The hero corner looked great, but kept riders honest.

Better known for his huge supermans and flips, Oliver Cuvet came out to shred with the mates. 5th in Open Men 19-29.

Dusting off the big bike, Si Smith took his recent dirtbike obession and put those moves to work.

[SI AUDIO]

Foot out and over the front, the moto-style was working!
The throttle twisting works so well, Si managed to win the Masters' class,  something which he will revel in for quite a while!

His younger brother might be slightly more internet famous, but Tom Lamb sure can ride.

The big wheels, aero kit, and locked out rear shock (post-race realization) took him to 2nd in Masters.

Jamie Tilbury is no stranger to Skyline, looking his usual fast self.

When you live in Queenstown, sending is second nature. 3th place in Masters.

It was dusty, really dusty.

Simon Read, lifty and trail maintenance guy by weekday, shredder by weekened.

Pinned.

FTOD, Expert Men winner.

[SIMON AUDIO]

Mates races are always a good laugh! [LtR] Craig, Reece, Joel.
Hard-race plates. all returned and ready for the next event.
New fancey transponders for the QMTBC, upping caliber of racing a notch or ten!
U19 [LtR]: Cameron Marshall, Will Adamson, Bryn Rasmussen.
Open Men [LrR]: Boucherot Tanguy and Chapelete Haxence
Masters [LtR: Jamie Tilbury, Simon Smith, Tom Lamb.
Expert Men [LtR]: Jimi Ramsey, [Winton Stevens], Simon Read, James Purvis, Joel Tunbridge.
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