Cody Kelley and Ileana Anderson Take the Podium at SCOTT Enduro Cup 2

Sunny skies and warm spring temperatures welcomed the first stop of the 2018 SCOTT Enduro Cup Presented by Vittoria in Moab, Utah. Four timed stages with a 3,000-foot descent over world class, technical slickrock challenged riders on the Klondike Bluffs Trail System.

Last season’s overall winner Cody Kelley carried his momentum from a year ago to take the top spot for Men’s Pro/Open in Round 1.

“It’s always good to start the year off on a high note. I’m stoked out here. Good crew out here in Moab. Having fun,” Kelley said. “I honestly just love the desert. Being from Salt Lake, we come here a lot during the winter. I’ve always just enjoyed it. It’s good times here.”

Colorado native Nate Hills, who finished third in Moab in 2017, improved his finish and placed second.

“It went well. I have nothing to complain about. I made one mistake. I had a lot of fun,” Hills said. “We had a tailwind that made it faster. I had a thoroughly good time for my annual spring Moab shred-fest.”

Competition in Men’s Pro/Open was tight as the top 10 riders finished within a minute of each other.

Men’s Pro/Open

1. Cody Kelley – 18:15.970 – Riverton, UT
2. Nate Hills – 18:33.833 – Dillon, CO
3. Chris Boice – 18:45.942 – Albuquerque, NM
4. Mike West – 18:49.341 – Boulder, CO
5. Mitch Ropelato – 18:49.528 – Ogden, UT

Ileana Anderson finished first in Women’s Pro/Open, good for her first podium finish at the SCOTT Enduro Cup. Now calling Park City, Utah home, Anderson used two stage victories to claim the top spot.

“It was awesome. I’m super stoked. It was a lot of fun,” Anderson said. “Just got to hang out with my friends and ride all day. Super fun course.”

Young-gun Lia Westermann finished seconds behind Anderson for second place. After finishing fifth in overall points a year ago, the 19-year-old is off to a strong start in series points.

Last year’s Moab winner, Cooper Ott notched a third-place finish.

“I really like the atmosphere. A lot of different people come and race this race and it’s fun to get a bunch of juniors out here and amateurs,” Ott said. “Actually, a really big pro women’s field as well. It’s great.”

Women’s Pro/Open

1. Ileana Anderson – 21:37.264 – Park City, UT
2. Lia Westermann – 21:45.462 – Salt Lake City, UT
3. Cooper Ott – 21:49.094 – Crested Butte, CO
4. Lauren Bingham – 21:54.961 – Sandy, UT
5. Stefanie McDaniel – 21:59.002 – Phoenix, AZ

The Vittoria Bolt was awarded to the fastest time on Stage 3. Cody Kelley (04:01.235) and Cooper Ott (04:52:382) took home an additional $100, thanks to Vittoria.

An impressive group of 40 junior riders took the course with Talus Lantz and Ainsley Haggart winning the men and women’s fields, respectively.

“It’s good for the future of the sport. It’s also cool to ride with those kids.” Kelley said. “They’re stoked to be racing, which is huge at their age and then they’re doing well, so it’s awesome.”

Podium finishers in the Pro/Open category shared $5,000 equally divided between men and women. The podium athletes in the Expert, Amateur and Junior categories received gear from SCOTT Sports, Vittoria and G-Form. A special thanks to Chile Pepper Bike Shop in Moab for hosting registration and the athlete meeting.

The SCOTT Enduro Cup presented by Vittoria will hit the trails for Round 2 in Angel Fire, New Mexico, on June 9-10.

“Angel Fire is super fun. Last year I didn’t get to race at all because I had a bunch of injuries, so I’m excited to go back and race,” Anderson said. “A bunch of my teammates are going to race Angel Fire too.”