2012 Val Di Sole World Cup Qualifying Results

Aaron Gwin blitzed qualifying ahead of the second round of the UCI MTB DH World Cup in Italy. On a very rough Val di Sole course on Saturday, Aaron Gwin and Emmeline Ragot put in some incredibly fast times to put their mark on the competition.

With over 220 men vying for just 80 spots in Sunday’s race - the second UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup event of the season – the competition was fierce. Gwin finished nearly eight seconds faster than second-placed Greg Minnaar, with Marc Beaumont third and Gee Atherton fourth.

American junior Richie Rude rode brilliantly to finish qualifying in 11th, while Brit Berny Kerr was 12th after another great ride. Steve Smith had to sit out qualifying after dislocating a finger in Saturday morning's practice but is hoping to compete in Sunday’s race.

In the battle for places in the women’s race, Emmeline Ragot stormed the Val di Sole qualifying session, finishing six seconds faster than second-placed Rachel Atherton.

Manon Carpenter hurt her shoulder so left the start hut then pulled over to rest up ahead of Sunday, while Tahnee Seagrave suffered a crash and did not finish.

Given how much the course has deteriorated over the past few days, Val di Sole promises to be one of the most punishing and technical rounds of the year.

2012 Val Di Sole WC Round 2 Men's Qualifying Results

2012 Val Di Sole WC Round 2 Women's Qualifying Results

2012 POC Eastern States Cup Update

Warm sunny skies, steep loose shale, and the best racing of the season is in The POC Eastern States Cup. The POC ESC came home to Plattekill for Series Race #2 and USA Cycling’s National Pro Tour, The Pro GRT #3. Trek World Racing’s Aaron Gwin and DRD’s Lauren Daney repeated their Mountain Creek wins on Plattekill’s super steep terrain.

Resurrecting one of the all time favorite race trails, The Steve Porraro Memorial Track ran steep and fast in the loose shale. The course was a perfect mix of steep technical terrain, high-speed traverse, and big jumps. There was plenty to keep riders on their toes with this track. The POC speed trap recorded the fastest pro, Adam Morse at 37 MPH . The weekend weather was warm with sunny race day skies in the Catskills. A perfect weekend of Racing unfolded.

Trek World Racing, One Ghost Industries, KHS, Voncooper, Oliver Racing and other top teams were in attendance.  World Cup Series Champion Aaron Gwin took 1st place at 2:11.00, TWR  team mate Justin Leov was hot on his wheel with a 2:11.68. Yeti Voncooper’s Phil Kmetz is on a tear with another series third place finish at 2:16.65. In the Junior Expert class Luca Shaw took top honors with a 2:21.34, and all the way from Newfoundland Jordan Hodder took Second with a 2:26.50. Walker Shaw was third at 2:29.51. Women Pro was won by Lauren Daney, 2:49.53, followed by Joanna Petterson at 2:51.53 and Rae Gandolf at 3:17.96.

It’s been an amazing start to the season for the POC Eastern States Cup! Thanks to POC, Loeka and all who have come out to support us. Lets keep the momentum going, we have a great season ahead of us. Hope to see everyone next weekend at POC ESC Race #3 at Attitash Resort, New Hampshire!

The ESC has some of the fastest racers in the world.  POC ESC Men’s Pro Points Leaders are Aaron  Gwin, Justin Leov, Phil Kmetz and Gavin Vaugn.  At Attitash this weekend the Pro Women’s ProGRT leader Lauren Daney and Men’s ProGRT #3 and #4 Voncooper’s  Phil Kmetz and Gavin Vaugn will be in attendance. Australia World Cup Racers: Matthew Dodd and Jesse Bare are racing Attitash and Pat’s Peak POC ESC #4 the following weekend

For a second year, Attitash Mountain Resort will serve as a host venue for the POC Eastern States Cup downhill mountain biking series. The POC Eastern States Cup is the USA Cycling Eastern Regional Championship Series with events being held in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. This year, Attitash Mountain Resort will host two events, a regular series points event on the weekend of June 2 & 3 and the New Hampshire State Championship Finals occurring September 15 & 16.

“We are pleased to again host the Eastern States Cup events and to showcase the downhill terrain at Attitash to a visiting field of New England riders,” said Attitash Mountain Bike Programs Coordinator Nate Waterhouse. “The two weekend events, featuring the points event in June and the state championship finals event in September, should be an exciting race and fun weekend for the riders.” Attitash has been offering lift-serviced, mountain biking since the late 90’s.

The POC Eastern States Cup event will feature riders competing in a single run format taking the best times in age and rider level categories. The course will be a mix of descending open trails and single-track sections through the woods on Attitash Mountain. These are part of a greater network of 27 designated mountain biking trails that Attitash has continued to develop and maintain for summer & fall use. Attitash has over 20 miles of mountain bike trails including the more difficult and technically challenging downhill trails and eight cross country trails more suited to all abilities and those just beginning to discover mountain biking as a recreational activity. The mountain bike season at Attitash Mountain Resort will open, weekends only, beginning Saturday, May 26 and will then be open daily for the summer beginning Saturday, June 16. Mountain bike season passes are available for only $99. The Dirt Trax Bike Shop, located on the main floor of the Attitash Base Lodge in the South Wing, stocks a full line of mountain bike clothing and accessories, as well as a fleet of rental bikes and protective gear. For more information on the POC Eastern States Cup events and mountain biking at Attitash, visit attitash.com and easternstatescup.com.

Attitash Mountain Resort is the original summer fun ski area in the Mount Washington Valley offering the original Alpine Slide, year-round Nor’Easter mountain coaster, waterslides, lift-service downhill and cross-country mountain biking, scenic summit chair ride, and more. Attitash Mountain Resort is also home to the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Conference Center providing the areas only full-service, slopeside accommodations. For further information, please visit attitash.com or call 1-800-223 SNOW.

Attitash POC ESC Race Dates:

• June 2-3, 2012 POC ESC # 3
• September 15-16, 2012 POC ESC #12

Address: 775 Route 302 Bartlett, NH 03812

Camping Allowed: Yes

Lodging Deals: Mention the race and get 20% off lodging at Attitash Mountain Village Resort when you are up here....great rates for condos across the street from the race course! Standard studios with kitchens from $71/night until June 14th! Call ‎1-800-862-1600

DRD/Intense Lauren Daney Win Plattekill Gravity Open

Roxbury, New York (May 29, 2012) – DRD Intense’s Lauren Daney captured her second consecutive pro victory by winning the Plattekill Gravity Open in Roxbury, New York.  Plattekill mountain is a legendary east coast mountain bike destination as it offers multitude of steep rocky chutes, high seed sections, berms, jumps and roots though out.

Although Friday’s practice started out slick and wet, conditions steadily improved throughout the weekend and were prime for race day!  The vibe throughout the weekend was filled with excitement, but still maintained a typical east coast relaxed atmosphere.

“I had a blast all weekend long,” exclaimed an ecstatic Lauren Daney.    “The course was awesome and I was hitting all of the jumps.  I knew I had an advantage over the competition, but still knew I had to come out charging on race day!  I had momentum coming from last weekend, & am thrilled I took another win!”

Lauren extends her lead in the 2012 Pro GRT series.  Lauren will be taking a bit of time off to train before joining up with the rest of the DRD INTENSE factory team at the 2^nd round of the US Grand Prix of Mountain Biking at Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont on June 17^th.

Follow Lauren & the rest of the ‘DRD Intense’ professional mountain bike team at http://www.facebook.com/DRDIntense

Lauren Daney & 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
• GEAX Tires
• Bike Vault Bike Shop

2012 Nate Furbee Photo Shoot 1

Went and shot Nate out at Ancient Peaks the other day. We got some good images and Nate got to test out the track before he heads off on his long road trip next week.

2012 Ancient Peaks Race 1 6/1-2

April 20, 2012 – San Luis Obispo - The privately owned, 14,000 Santa Margarita Ranch is set to open its gates yet again to eager downhill and cross country riders this June and July. Featuring improved cross country and downhill courses and a new dual slalom track, the course has been built specifically for this event by local volunteers and MTB activists. Riders do not have access to the trail systems outside event dates. 

Ranching is an expensive proposition, and this ranch is huge: 14,000 acres – the size of Manhattan and populated mostly by cows and vineyards. Its owners were looking for ways to bring additional income from the land without a lot of impact so when Yishai and Kristin Horowitz, owners of All Out Events, proposed a mountain bike course, they jumped at the idea. All Out Events and the ranch worked together to ensure minimal impact on the environment and the ranch is excited to see these trails on their property. But rather than just trails, the idea is to make this a premier racing event.

The first weekend, June 2-3 features downhill, cross country, dual slalom, and short track races along with an awesome festival. July 21-22 is the Ancient Peaks Gravity weekend, offering only the gravity events – “Demand was so high for another weekend of racing,” say Yishai Horowitz, owner of All Out Events, “We’re adding a dual slalom and short track event to the gravity days – and we’re making two weekends of gravity so fans can get their shuttles up to the top and dominate our insane course.”

Last year’s cross country course was done in less than four months,” says Kristin Horowitz, “there were some awkward things we did that we’re redesigning this year based on feedback and our own feelings about the course. It should be a lot more fun and flowy this year.”

New this year will be the dual slalom course, designed by the same master mind as the downhill: Nate Lewis. Nestled into the hillside overlooking the festival venue, this is sure to be a crowd favorite. None of this would have been possible without the support of area riders and activists coming out all year long to produce these trails – whether it’s working with a McLeod and a shovel or it’s simply riding the course to pack it down, this event couldn’t be possible without San Luis Obispo county residents chipping in.

“We designed these trails to be some of the best cross-country and gravity racing on the west, “ says Horowitz. “If you ride a fat-tired bike, you need to be here.” The event benefits Team Duke – part of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation – encouraging athletes to make their endeavors bigger than themselves by fundraising to stop cancer.

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Don't Square It Up... - More Mountain Bike Videos

The first mountain bike race weekend from All Out Events. This is a practice run for the DH course. Great race, great course and great organizers.