$10,000 Up For Grabs AT The 2012 POC Eastern States Cup Pro GRT's

The POC Eastern States Cup is kicking off the DH MTB Race Season with two USA Cycling Pro GRT Series races. The Mountain Creek Spring Classic, May 17-20 and the Plattekill FOX RACING SHOX Gravity Open, May 24-27. The two bike parks have doubled the Pro GRT Pro Purse to $5000 at each race. The Pro GRT is the only national series recognized by USA Cycling. The races are USAC World Team Qualifiers for Pros and Juniors, the competition among the fastest DH racers in the USA will be fierce.

Amateurs will get a chance to race on the same course as many national and international world cup regulars including the 2012 World Cup Champion, American Aaron Gwin. Gwin will be the Master of Ceremonies at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Saturday at 9AM at the new Mountain Creek Bike Park. Mountain Creek is celebrating with a Saturday pre race rock concert featuring the “Misfits” and two other nation bands.

The POC Eastern States Cup is proudly offering 5 USAC State Championships and the USAC Eastern Regional Championship. The Series is offering over $35,000 in Cash and another $35,000 in prizes to Amateurs.

“I am excited that the POC Eastern States Cup is able to bring the USA Cycling Pro GRT Downhill Series to two of the premier bike parks in the United States. The POC ESC is committed to bringing the best mountain bike racers and racing to the East Coast. We are working on adding XC and Enduro Series races in 2013. With those additions the future of the POC Eastern States Cup is really exciting. “, says George Ulmer from the POC ESC.

The POC Eastern States Cup will offer double series points at both Pro GRT events, to start off the season with a bang. The series just announced a third Challenge to the racers. The POC ESC Speed Zone Challenge. This new challenge will reward the fastest MPH Amateur with great POC Gear at every race this season. The fastest speed of the season will earn a complete POC kit. Other Challenges are the $1000 POC Team Challenge and the $1000 Loeka Women’s Challenge. The series will produce a Voncooper video for every race, while Oliver Racing will take care of the fourth place prizing.

Both mountain trail crews have been working on their racetracks for weeks. Plattekill renewed one of their classic courses on the steep north face side of the bike park. The Plattekill course has new berms, chutes and the steep loose shale Plattekill is famous for. Mountain Creek is combining the new and the old for a real exciting track. The Mountain Creek course offers a few newly cut woods sections, and a steep wide-open ski trail section with large areas of granite slab rock. It will be one of the longest and fastest courses at Mountain Creek ever. Expect two of the best courses the east has to offer.

Schedules, Pre-Registration and all information can be found on the POC Eastern States Cup website: easternstatescup.com

 

Neko Mulally Wins Inaugural Duryea Downhill

Racing just minutes from home, Trek World Racing's Neko Mulally took another win for season 2012 by taking the victory at the Duryea Downhill, an event held in Neko's hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania, and an event he help put together. Here's what he had to say about the weekend.

"One of my side projects this year has been helping to organize a downhill race in my hometown. The race was very enjoyable for all who participated. The Duryea Downhill is unique because it finishes in Reading's City Park which is in the center of town. There were a lot of spectators and for that reason and it was cool to race on a track that's a little different to the ski slopes we're used to. This race was awesome for me personally because it was so clo se to home and being able to race on my home trails in front of all my friends from school and my family was really special.

The whole weekend was great. Saturday evening I had a BBQ in my yard where a lot of the riders came to hang out and ride my pump track. Ray Waxham from Trek's Race Department was with us all weekend and he is always great to have around. My bike was set up perfectly for the track as the race was held on the mountain where I do all my home testing. The new Shimano Saint components were very popular because most of the guys here hadn't seen them yet. I ran the Bontrager G4 tires again which I believe gave me a big advantage on rolling speed. I won the race by over 7 seconds, and it was awesome to see all my friends and family waiting at the finish line. I am really glad that I was able to help make this race possible and I hope it can become an annual event."

Race results are here: http://duryeadownhill.com/Results.html

2012 Duryea Downhill Race Results

Devinci Pursuing The Trail Of Craftsmanship

Pursuing the trail of craftsmanship | Founded in 1987, Devinci (devinci.com) had a modest start, building bikes by hand. The vision of its president, Félix Gauthier, led this Chicoutimi-based company to become a leading Canadian bike manufacturer. Devinci did not stop there; the company now manufactures about a hundred models of road, mountain and hybrid bikes priced from $459 to $8 399. Its goal is to produce high quality bikes for enthusiastic, serious cyclists. 

Félix Gauthier has stated that innovation is the driving force of his company, which has a research and development team composed of five technicians and engineers. These bike experts use avant-garde methods similar to the automobile and aeronautical industries. The designs, tests and pilot projects and all stages of development are conducted at the factory in Saguenay. The company is so confident in the quality of its products that it offers a lifetime guarantee on all bike frames. 

The frames and all other high quality parts are made in Quebec, but “it’s the market that determines the price, so we have had to rely on Asia for manufacturing bikes priced at less than $800 in order to compete with big players like Trek, Giant and Specialized.”, explains David Régnier-Bourque, the director of marketing. Devinci president Félix Gauthier believes that it is possible to do business in Quebec and to be part of the international market, but it is important to be open to outsourcing production. “There must be a balance between manufacturing in Quebec and abroad in order to provide the best value for money.” 

“Working for Devinci isn’t really a job, it’s a passion. The vast majority of our employees love biking!” observed David Régnier-Bourque. With flexible hours and 60km of beautiful single tack trails within a kilometre of the factory, enthusiastic cyclists can go out for a ride on their lunch breaks. 

Devinci employs between 60 and 100 staff working in the engineering, sales, marketing, accounting, welding, painting and IT departments; there’s something for everyone within the company. 


DEVINCI LEO SL 

The Leo SL 2012 is equipped with the new DCF technology (Dual Core Fusion) that combines elements of speed, stability, and intuition. The frame features an asymmetrical geometry that not only provides improved performance but also enhanced lateral rigidity and vertical compliance for a better power transfer that will leave other cyclists biting the dust. The Leo SL is available in three different sizes: the Leo SL X with Ultegra Di2 ($4,599.99); the Leo SL R with SRAM FORCE ($3,899.99) and the LEO SL K with standard Ultegra ($3,399.99).

Catching Up With 2012 DRD/Intense

Escondido, CA – The ‘DRD Intense’ factory mountain bike team has had a great launch to the 2012 season!   Arguably one of the top American teams on the circuit, the DRD program is constantly evolving into a powerhouse on any race circuit!  The DRD Intense team recently finished a west coast swing of major American races.  The following recap will bring you all up to speed on our team’s development this beginning part of the year!

SEA OTTER CLASSIC – Monterey, CA

As the first major event of the season, the Sea Otter Classic brings together the entire cycling community in an outdoor expo & festival type atmosphere.  The DRD Intense team had a strong presence both on and off the track.  With a new trailer & awning, fresh new colors, and some great new sponsors, we were definitely one of the hottest teams around!

CHECK OUT THE DRD INTENSE Sea Otter Classic Video!

Team DRD/Intense Mission#1: Sea Otter - More Mountain Bike Videos

Dual Slalom

The Warren Brothers, Cody & Austin, both had a stellar day in dual slalom, both qualifying in the top 15 out of over a hundred racers!  After some tight races, Cody would finish in at 11^th, while younger brother Austin would finish in 13^th.

“The track was a lot of fun,” exclaimed Austin Warren!  “I was just getting used to it when I went against Mick Hannah in the 2^nd round (Hannah is a perennial favorite to win at Sea Otter).  I was stoked to get past the first round in my first year as pro & into the round of 16.  It’s a great learning experience & I can’t wait for next year!”

Downhill

Sea Otter’s downhill track is notoriously pedally & riddled with obstacles & jumps.  This made for a hard & competitive course, despite being tamer than a typical downhill race track. 

“I had a pretty descent run,” stated Cody Warren.  “I’m pumped on what I was able to accomplish despite not being the strongest pedaler on the day.  I gave it what I had and am happy with it,… but I’m gonna come back stronger next year!”

DRD Intense’s day would be bitter sweet as Cody Warren charged his way into 14^th place, while Jason  Memmelaar rode in at 48^th spot, & Austin Warren crashed on a huge hip jump (where another rider was knocked out).   Despite the bitter sweet results, our team had a great race, great presence & a great kick off to the 2012 season!

US GRAND PRIX of MTB – Port Angeles, WA

CHECK OUT THE DRD INTENSE MTB GP Port Angeles Video!

Team DRD/Intense #2: Port Angeles - More Mountain Bike Videos

The first round of the US Grand Prix was definitely a true test to the team’s dedication & commitment to our race program as this was our first real test on a true downhill track against some of the fiercest competition of the year. Despite threatening weather, the event turned out to be a tremendous success! 

Austin Warren took the top spot amongst team riders as he charged his way into 24^th.  “I had a solid run,” said Austin.  “But kept thinking to myself ‘am I pedaling enough??’ so I started charging harder.  Thankfully I didn’t crash.  I was worried since I wrecked hard at Sea Otter.  I’m learning though … & getting a lot better. I’m pumped!”

Lauren Daney, recent roster addition, took the team with ease as she raced her brand new DRD Intense 951 with little setback to a respectable 11^th place finish.   Teammate Cody Warren had a bit of a set back early on in practice as he sustained injuries to his ankles & split his chin while trying to avoid another rider casing a jump ahead of him.  Unfortunately this injury took a toll come race day. 

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN CUP – Fontana, California

The ‘BIKE VAULT’ pro team (DRD’s satellite program) took part in the final round of the California Golden Cup this past weekend.  Team leader David KlaassenVanOorschot returned to racing in force, after sustaining broken ribs at the first round in late March.  Despite so much time off the bike, David K rode his way to a 3^rd place finish!

The DRD Intense race program will spend the next few weeks training before heading to the east coast for the 2^nd & 3 round of the US Grand Prix of Mountain Biking, as well as two World Cups & the US National Championships.

DRD Intense is proudly supported by the following sponsors…

• Dean Racing Development
• Intense Cycles
• ARMA Energy
• ONE Industries
• Shimano
• ODI Grips
• Sun-Ringle
• Marzocchi Suspension
• MRP
• SDG Components
• Maxmia Racing Oils
• SOL Republic
• the Bike Vault Bike Shop

VP Components Dirt Club Enduro Date Change

Due to the demand from top level riders and out of town riders for whom date conflicts were a big bummer, we have decided to move the VP Components Dirt Club Enduro to a new date- JULY 7 & 8 2012.

The prize list stays the same (lots of prizes) featuring $1,500 in cash plus prizes to Open Men.  As always, we are planning a great time with accurate and fast chip timing, on-site camping, a bonfire, a pump track to hit if you get bored, and raffle prizes from our great sponsors.

Meanwhile, trail building continues with more and more features being built in to our trails to make this event one to remember.

We hope to see you there!

For more info go to www.vp-usa.com/enduro