Catching Up With 2012 DRD/Intense
Monday, May 14, 2012 at 1:37PM 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 11th, while younger brother Austin would finish in 13th.
“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 2nd 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 14th place, while Jason Memmelaar rode in at 48th 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 24th. “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 11th 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 3rd place finish!
The DRD Intense race program will spend the next few weeks training before heading to the east coast for the 2nd & 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
Monday, May 14, 2012 at 1:32PM 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
Bicycle, Downhill Mountain Bike, Freeride |
2012 US GRAND PRIX IN PORT ANGELES, WA
Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 1:58PM Escondido, California – The first round of the 2012 US Grand Prix of Mountain Biking kicked off in Port Angeles, WA on April 29 with overwhelming success as Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) and Jill Kintner (Team Norco International) took top honors over an extremely deep international field!
The NW Cup in Port Angeles provided an excellent venue for the inaugural MTB GP event, as world-class mountain bike racers took advantage of some of the best tracks that the pacific-northwest has to offer. Although the weather threatened to dampen the spirits of the record number participants & spectators, the US saw what could be one of the most exciting races of the 2012 season!
In the women’s field, American Jill Kintner took top honors over Canadian Mirranda Miller (Santa Cruz / Sram) & fellow American Holly Feniak (GoPro / Cove / Shimano).
Pro women’s winner Jill Kintner stated, “How good is this scene here? It’s awesome! It’s like a world cup today! It was a fun track to ride. I had a great time!”
Canadian Steve Smith took the win in the pro men’s field just ahead of American Aaron Gwin (Trek World Racing), & Australia’s Mick Hannah (Hutchinson United Ride).
“It went super smooth, the track was sick! I was stressing a bit because there was a bit of mud at the top, but it was nothing, super fast… killed it” said pro men’s winner Steve Smith!
Congratulations to all competitors and special thanks to the great guys from the NW Cup! The MTB GP heads east to Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont on June 15-17.
Event photos can be found on our Facebook photo page. Follow us on Twitter at @MTBGP or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/USMTBGP
PRO MEN RESULTS
1. Steve Smith 2:30:69
2. Aaron Gwin 2:32:43
3. Mick Hannah 2:33:57
4. Josh Bryceland 2:33:92
5. Neko Mulally 2:34:73
PRO WOMEN RESULTS
1. Jill Kintner 2:54:70
2. Miranda Miller 2:56:79
3. Holly Frank 2:57:28
4. Joanna Petterson 3:09:21
5. Katie Holden 3:10:94
2012 US GP 1 AT Port Angeles results
Plattekill Bike Park Presents The Third Annual Pro GRT Fox Racing Shox Gravity Open
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 9:15PM Plattekill Bike Park is proud to present the Third Annual Pro GRT Fox Racing Shox Gravity Open. This year the Fox Racing Shox Gravity Open moves to Memorial Day weekend, May 24-28, 2012. The race will be the third stop of the USA Cycling ProGRT National Series and will offer double series points in the POC Eastern States Cup Regional Championship Series. The ProGRT is the most prestigious downhill mountain bike racing series in North America. The POC Eastern States Cup is the richest, largest and fastest growing series in the nation. This combination event is aimed at riders and racers of all abilities.
Top domestic and international professional riders including many World Cup stars will be competing at Plattekill to test their skills on one of the best downhill mountain bike courses in the United States. This year Plattekill is featuring a classic track on the steep North Face side of the bike park. The course has steep chutes, berms and some big gap jumps at the finish.
Plattekill doubled the Pro GRT Purse and is offering a $5000 pro purse and some great prizes for amateurs. The race is a USAC qualifier for selection to the World Championship Team, so the pros will be really going for the win. Practice will open Thursday, qualifying is on Saturday and the race will be held on Sunday. Plattekill Bike Park will remain open thru Monday and will be open for freeriding every day of the event. Plattekill will run two lifts for complete access to their trail system.
Since 1974, FOX RACING SHOX has been the industry leader in the design and development of the highest performance shock absorbers and racing suspension products for snowmobiles, mountain bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and off-road cars and trucks.
The POC Eastern States Cup was founded in 2010 as a USA Cycling Eastern Regional Championship Series and featured two USA Cycling State Championships. This proved to be a popular formula with racers and venues. In 2011 the series grew, offering the USAC Regional and three state championships. The 2012 POC Eastern States Cup will feature 5 USAC State Championships and the Eastern Regional Championship at 8 great venues. 2012 and the future indeed look bright for the series and the racers in the East.
Plattekill is located in Roxbury, NY. The bike park has been hosting downhill mountain bike racing since 1993. The trails are endless and offer something for riders of all abilities. The fall line trail sections are quite steep and the natural terrain offers loose shale with large rock drops. Plattekill Bike Park uses two lifts accessing two distinct peak areas. Lift attendants place your bikes on the chair for the ride up. The base lodge offers a cafeteria, bike shop and restrooms. On the deck great burgers and refreshments will be available. Plattekill will be open Thursday thru Monday for riding and practicing.
Race Fee’s:
$65 Cat1(expert) and Cat2(sport) and Cat3(beginner)
$95 USAC Pro
All Race Fees Include Saturday AND Sunday Lift Tickets!!!
Thurs, Fri and Mon Lift Tickets are $20 per day with race entry.
($15 discount from our regular tickets)
Schedule:
Registration: 9-4 Friday – Saturday and 8- 9 Sunday
Double Chair Practice and Freeriding DH 10-4 Thursday - Friday, 8-4 Saturday, 8-11 Sunday
Triple Chair open 10-4 Saturday and Sunday
Saturday Seeding Run DH
Pro and Cat 1 Juniors 4:00pm
Sunday Race DH
Cat2-3 12:00pm
Cat1 1:30 pm
Pro 2:30 pm
Pit Fee’s: 10x10=$100 20x10=200 20x20=$300 20x40= $400
Reserve spaces early. No e-z ups/tents will be allowed in the top two lots without reserved pit space, NO exceptions. The Reserved pit area will be patrolled throughout the event.
Camping: The third lot will feature primitive camping. Camping will cost $10 per night for a 12x20 space including your vehicle. Porta poties will be available. Water will be available in the Base Lodge.
No Electric will be available. Generators are allowed until 10pm.
Special Parking restrictions will be enforced
Pre Registration, Lodging and more info: links can be found on our site www.plattekill.com
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION FABIEN BAREL JOINS E THIRTEEN AS BRAND AMBASSADOR
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 12:00PM E*thirteen and the Hive design and manufacture class-leading wheels, pedals, cranksets, chainrings, bottom brackets, drivetrain protection, and chain retention products for discerning cyclists worldwide.
Bicycle, Downhill Mountain Bike, E Thirteen, E13, Fabien Barel |
