The U.S. Downhill Racing Thread

For some reason I always thought this was a euro based site. My bad.

NW cup schedule

April 14-16 Port Angeles WA
May 12-14 Port Angeles WA (ProGRT)
May 26-28 Mt Hood OR
June 16-18 Tamarack ID
July 14-16 Silver Mt. ID
August 4-6 Stevens Pass WA
September 8-10 Stevens Pass WA

www.NWcup.com

Bummer - no races at Mt Creek this summer

Who said VitalMTB Bike Check bikes are just for posing?
Untitled by Orven Zaragoza, on Flickr

They get dirty and win races some times.
My M16c's first win came last Sunday. Yew!
69958587-_T7O3213 by Orven Zaragoza, on Flickr

Thanks for indulging our bike geekiness with your Bike Check section, Spoms.. Yew!!!

From Orvan posting boobs on Ridemonkey to posting pics of him (a boob) on here, I'm getting all warmy and fuzzy feeling.

Mountain Creek will most definitely have races this summer. Check out the Eastern States Cup....

When you race one US race a year to make sure you can still hang with the youngins!

Press Release: The US Open of Mountain Biking Returns for 2017

The iconic US Open of Mountain Biking will make its long-awaited return to Mountain Creek Bike Park on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25 - 28, 2017. The US Open was last held in 2011 and is now being relaunched by one of the original founders, Clay Harper. Keeping with tradition, the US Open will bring one of the largest prize purses in American downhill racing with over $15,000 up for grabs in the Open Class and some of the most coveted amateur prizes available anywhere.


Jill Kintner in the US Open Rock Garden.

“We have been working for a few years to bring the Open back. The mission is to keep and grow the spirit and excitement the USO became famous for - open class racing, cash prizing and a straight up good time. We are going to pick up the party where we left off,” says Clay Harper, US Open of Mountain Biking race director. As a non-USAC race, the US Open is notable for its simple two-category format: Open Class and Amateur Class. Anyone can enter the Open Class and compete amongst the pros for the $15,000 cash purse and a chance to prove where they rank. Amateurs will compete for bragging rights and some of the best prizes in racing.

Aaron Gwin and Neko Mulally of the YT Mob, the KHS Factory Racing Team, and the Defiant Racing Team are among the racers who have confirmed plans to race the US Open this May.

The US Open began in 2003 at what was then called Diablo Freeride Park at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey with the inaugural race being won by Bryn Atkinson and Donna Fletcher. From 2003 thru 2011, the event went on to become a favorite among the racers and fans alike, regularly attracting an international field of athletes. Past winners included Sam Hill, Steve Smith, Tracy Mosely, and Miranda Miller among others. The 2011 USO was won by Aaron Gwin and Jill Kintner. Gwin went on to dominate the 2011 World Cup circuit, winning the overall title later that year.



Needles throwing shapes at the 2011 US Open.

"When I started racing downhill, the US Open was the highest profile event in the United States. I had the chance to watch guys like Sam Hill, Steve Smith, and Bryn Atkinson race. Guys who I looked up to so much. In 2007 I won the Amateur category as a 15-year-old. Being exposed to top level racing and experiencing that win were huge steps in my career, and I can't wait to race the US Open again in 2017." - World Cup racer and YT Mob rider, Neko Mulally

The USO downhill track has always delivered excitement, combining traditional east coast rock gardens with machine built dirt features and jumps to create a fast-flowing course. “We will be running a new track that uses some key elements of the original USO course and some sections that have never been used before, as well as building brand-new features for this event. The USO track was always challenging and a lot of fun to ride and we will maintain that approach,” explains George Ryan, Mountain Creek Bike Park Trail Boss and local legend.

The excitement goes well beyond the race course with The US Open of Mountain Biking. It is all about being one of the most fun and fan friendly races; from the DJ blasting tunes in the Rock Garden, to eccentric guests like the New Jersey Devil and former WWF star The Iron Sheik, the US Open is always full of energy and excitement on either side of the tape.


A podium full of legends. #LongLiveChainsaw

New for 2017 is the addition of an adaptive racer class, a best whip contest, and the U.S. Kids Open. The Grom-Bomb downhill race will feature a separate course that caters specifically to young rippers. “We are stoked to add the U.S. Kids Open and look forward to having fun with it and building it up. The development of youth mountain bikes and gear has exploded in recent years, and so has the number of kids on the mountain. It’s time to provide a real racing experience that is designed specifically for young riders,” explains Harper.

For further details, visit the US Open of Mountain Biking on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.usopen.bike for continued updates and registration information over the coming months.

Awesome - fricken awesome!

American Flags. Boom Boxes. Middle Fingers!
Let's dent some rims!

No matter how fast you may be riding, that kind of music makes you look slow as shit. And yes, that goes for chris kovarik, too.

At least he fits right in with the other KHS riders, though.

...great riding...but seriously...static x?

0:35 - 1:03 is the best perspective of Fontana I've seen. He's getting bucked by big ass rocks a couple times but carries speed through those sections so well. On the edge and smooth as shit in the same shot, great stuff. (Watched on mute, but hey, I like reggae so WTF do I know)

That song is awful. Had to stop the video bad.

Negative rep for even knowing who the band was.

Just to let everyone know, this was not my choice of music. Nor will it ever be, haha!

It was a big weekend at the #DHSE Downhill Southeast race! Looking forward to Vital coverage of east coat racing and all the #USDH action this year.

Time to get hyped for the Windrock Pro GRT!

The tacos were a-maz-ing.

Seeding results from the 2017 Windrock Pro GRT are in:

Pro Men:

1. Neko Mulally
2. Greg Williamson
3. Kiran Mackinnon
4. Kyle Grau
5. Joshua Rodgers
6. Jason Schroeder
7. Shane Leslie
8. Tanner Stephens
9. Maurico Estrada
10. Walker Shaw

Pro Women:

1. Frida Roenning
2. Vera Leivsdottir
3. Caroline Washam
4. Angelina Palermo
5. Rae Gandolf
6. Riley Weidman
7. CJ Selig
8. Rachel Kelleher
9. Samantha Kingshill
10. Amber Price

#USDH