MTB News & Racing Round-up, July 16, 2009

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Date published:

July 17, 2009, 02:38

Edited by Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in mountain biking. Feel free to send feedback, news, & releases to mtb@cyclingnews.com and results, reports & photos to cyclingnews@cyclingnews.com.

• Peraud eyes French national title

  

  Article published:

  July 16, 2009, 15:48

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  Top two Olympians will face off at French nationals this weekend

  After a disappointing last weekend at the European cross country championships in the Netherlands, where he had to drop out due to a mechanical, Jean Christophe Peraud (Massi) is looking for revenge at this weekend's French national championships.

  The Olympic silver medallist will have his work cut out for him on Saturday, July 18, when he races the elite cross country in Oz-en-Oisans. Two-time Olympic Champion Julien Absalon (Orbea) has been the man to beat at most of the major events, like World Cups, this season, and he's been preparing to defend his French National Title.  Absalon sat out the European championships in order to prepare for this weekend's race.

  Peraud has had a good season and just a few weeks ago, he won the French time trial championships on the road.

  After Nationals, Peraud will compete in the two Canadian World Cups and the World Championships in Australia.

• Star-studded field set for British Downhill Nationals

  

  Article published:

  July 16, 2009, 15:15

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  Both cross country and downhill UK national champions to be crowned on Sunday

  The British Downhill National Championships will be run this weekend, July 18-19, in Innerleithen, Scotland. A challenging track awaits the UK's finest downhill racers, and an impressive line-up, including some of the world's best, is slated to compete.

  Downhill World Champion Gee Atherton will be under pressure from reigning national champion Steve Peat as well as brother Dan Atherton, past winner Marc Beaumont and the young Josh Bryceland. Scottish Champion Ben Cathro will also be leading the Clan army along with Joe Barnes and Chris Hutchens.

  New for this year is the splitting of the Veterans and Masters categories, which means more total national champions to be awarded on Sunday.

  The British Cross Country championships are also being run in Innerleithen this weekend. Both disciplines will hold finals on Sunday for a full weekend of top-notch racing.

   

• California High School Leagues field contingent for US nationals

  

  Article published:

  July 16, 2009, 14:37

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  Nine riders selected for travel team to compete in Granby

  Capping a landmark year for high school cycling, the NorCal High School Mountain Bike League and SoCal Interscholastic Cycling Leagues will be represented by 30 riders at the US National Mountain Bike Championships in Granby, Colorado at the Sol Vista Bike Park this weekend, July 16-19.

  Nine riders who attended the Invitational Camp were selected for the NorCal Travel Team. The remainder will travel to nationals individually or with the Whole Athlete Travel Team. Riders qualified for the nationals at the California High School Mountain Bike Championships, Sunday, May 17 at Boggs Mountain, California.

  "It's an exciting year, because of the sheer number of NorCal League riders who qualified for Nationals," said Matt Fritzinger, NorCal League founder and Executive Director. "These riders have been training very hard this summer, and I speak for all in the NorCal and SoCal Leagues in wishing them success in achieving their personal goals. Having these young riders represent our schools and our entire league community is something of which everybody who has had any involvement is is very proud."

  The nine riders on the NorCal Travel Team, is comprising six boys and three girls, were selected based on their performance at the 2009 Invitational Camp. They are Zachary Valdez, Karli Haugen, Nik Dommen, Lauren Catlin, Sofia Hamilton, Drake Pirates, Andrew Taylor, Bryan Duke, Adam O'Camb and Noah Hanagen. Katie DeClerq is directing the travel team with coaching assistance from David Curtis and Maureen Kunz. They will be hosted by the Gary Fisher team for the full pro-racer experience.

  "I've been focusing on specific training," said Duke, who has tailored his training for the Colorado venue. "I've increased my climbing and done some hill repeats. The race should be interesting due to the elevation and the standard of competition."

• US Mountain Bike Championships head to the Rockies

  

  Article published:

  July 16, 2009, 06:45

  By:

  Dave McElwaine

  All eyes on Granby, Colorado

  This weekend hundreds of amateur and professional mountain bikers who have qualified to race in the US national mountain bike championships will head to Sol Vista Bike Park in Granby, Colorado. Stars and stripes jerseys will be awarded in cross country, short track, mountain cross, and downhill events. Racers will compete in categories according to skill level and age. The youngest racers will be ten-year olds, while the oldest racer will typically be over 70.

  The national championships will be held at altitude for the first time since 2005, when they were at Mammoth Mountain, California. The base of the course sits at 8,200 feet, while it tops out at 9,200 feet. That's more than 25 percent less oxygen pressure than at sea level.

  Defending women's cross country champion Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes) described the cross country course as "Alpine style, one big climb and one big descent". The course has received mixed reviews from some pro racers, partly due to some newly cut, and therefore rough singletrack. The pros are hoping that section will be well ridden in by the amateurs who race before them.

  In the absence of any US ProXCT Cup races since mid-June, the cross country racers have spread out in many directions to prepare for nationals. Some participated in the lucrative Teva Games, where Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Gary Fisher/Subaru) and Katie Compton (Katie Compton Coaching/Independent Fabrications) won.

  Others, including Barry Wicks (Kona), Ryan Trebon (Kona), and Georgia Gould (Luna Women's MTB Team) participated in (and won) the week-long BC Bike Race. Still others took part in the US Marathon National Championships at the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, Colorado, on the Fourth of July, when the husband and wife team of Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Heather Irmiger (Gary Fisher/Subaru) won. Defending short track national champion Jeremiah Bishop competed in both the Firecracker 50 and the grueling six-day Breck Epic, which he won.

  This past weekend, Adam Craig (Giant), Kelli Emmett (Giant), Ross Schnell (Trek), Willow Koerber (Gary Fisher/Subaru), and Rachel Lloyd (Proman) all raced the Downieville Classic for the unofficial world championship title of "Best All-Mountain" bike racer. Craig, who is the defending cross country national champion and Luna's Katerina Nash won by large margins. As a citizen of the Czech Republic, Nash, will not be racing at US Nationals.

  Cross country

  Racers who live at altitude should have an advantage at this year's nationals. However, others have attempted to close that gap by spending several weeks racing and training in Colorado's high country. A few more, including Adam Craig, are using altitude tents to acclimate without the expense of living on the road.

  Defending champions and Olympians Adam Craig and Mary McConneloug are sure to have their hands full racing on a course that is less technical than they prefer. Many of the 2008 Olympians have had a slow start to their 2009 seasons after last year's exhausting chase for UCI points en route to earning their chances to compete in Beijing. On the other hand, these athletes have proven they know how to peak for major events.

  Craig, who is winless this season on the ProXCT circuit, often comes into form just in time for the national championships. Last weekend, en route to winning both the cross country and downhill races at the Downieville Classic, he set a new course record. While he is not be the best pure climber in the race, Craig, will use his superb handling skills to make up time on the descents.

  In recent weeks, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski has been on fire. In addition to finishing second at the Colorado Springs round of the US ProXCT, he won the Teva Games, and then thrashed his competitors at the US Marathon National Championship. JHK, along with his wife Heather Irmiger, have enjoyed an unprecedented month and a half in their home state of Colorado. Including some local races in Winter Park, they have done at least six races that they could drive to while sleeping in their own bed at night.

  JHK is rumored to be riding a new sub-20 pound Superfly for the cross country race - an advantage that will only complement his chances as one of the best climbers in the pro field. The question is - can he stay with Craig on the descents?

  Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing), who also lives at altitude in Durango, is sure to be a contender for the jersey. Former champion Ryan Trebon (Kona) should have excellent form after winning the BC Bike Race's co-ed duo category with Georgia Gould. Trebon may or may not have been training at altitude, but Bishop could be extremely competitive if he has recovered from 15 hours of racing last week in Breckenridge.
  Sam Schultz has beaten JHK on a few occasions this year and is due for a break-out ride. Michael Broderick, who finished third two years ago and is the fifth-ranked American in UCI points, is also a podium contender.

  Mary McConneloug and Heather Irmiger are likely to be the best two climbers in the women's field. Whether they can get enough of a gap on former champion Georgia Gould is questionable since Gould is also an excellent descender. What the course lacks is flat power sections that typically allow Gould to dominate the women's races. McConneloug has been racing at altitude for three weeks, but both Gould and Irmiger live in Colorado.
  I've won at altitude before, at Mammoth. I believe I can do it," said McConneloug. "It's just a matter of putting all the pieces together and focusing on the preparation."

  "I think we are going to see the riders who are trained at elevation [at the front] - those who are prepared for this event," said McConneloug. "I think we all know who they are."

  Willow Koerber has shown some flashes of brilliance this year on the World Cup circuit. And, along with Kelli Emmett, she is one of the best descenders in the business. Both will need one of their best climbing days ever to stay with the leaders over the top of the course. Pua Sawicki is hoping to redeem herself in the cross country race after a disappointing ride at marathon nationals.

  The big X-factor in the elite women's race is Katie Compton. She has shown not only that she can win cross country races, as she did in the Teva Games, but she actually descends better than many of the pure cross country specialists. If Compton has any weakness, it is her climbing, but she has been working hard to improve that aspect of her riding.

  Super D

  This year's Super D promises to highlight Team Giant. Defending champion Adam Craig is expected to battle his teammate Carl Decker for the title. While they are very good friends off the bike, neither gives the other an inch on the race course.

  Typically Super D courses include up to twenty percent uphill, giving a decided advantage to cross country racers riding full suspension bikes. However, occasionally the percentage is much lower and the course much steeper (as in Park City, Utah), which throws the advantage over to some of the stars of downhill racing. It is yet to be seen what the nature of the Sol Vista course it, but Eric Carter (GT Bicycles) has entered the event. Given the right type of terrain, Carter could pull off an upset.

  Ross Schnell (Trek) is not expected to compete due a planned flight to Europe. Bryan Fawley (Park Place), Michael Broderick (Kenda-Seven-No Tubes), Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher 29er) are expected to fight for podium positions.
  The women's race is likely to be a showdown between Kelli Emmett (Giant) and Willow Koerber (Gary Fisher/Subaru). Both are excellent cross country racers who love to descend. Emmett barely edged out Koerber in last week's Downieville Classic.

  Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth) and Kyie Anderson (Ekho/Cannondale) are also likely podium contenders.

  Rachel Lloyd has informed Cyclingnews that she will not be defending her championship. Perennial favorite Marla Streb (Luna Women's MTB) will also be absent, as will Sue Butler (MonaVie/Cannondale), and Katie Compton.

  Short track

  In the most spectator-friendly discipline of short track, the racers will compete on a course that is typically about a half-mile in length for 20 minutes plus three laps. The courses often include a significant climb, a bit of singletrack, as well as a stretch on pavement. It requires short bursts of power as well as experience in criteriums or cyclo-cross racing. Tactics and drafting play a large part in the outcome.

  Defending champion Jeremiah Bishop has been downplaying his chances of success due to his emphasis this year on endurance racing. "I will go 100% but I know that specific training reaps specific results. When you train for a 100-mile mountain bike race, and that's all you train for - you are up against a tall challenge," said Bishop.

  Other likely contenders will be former champion Barry Wicks, Adam Craig, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Carl Decker, and Sam Schultz (Gary Fisher/Subaru).

  On the women's side, defending champion Katie Compton rode away from everyone last year on her tubeless Dugas cyclo-cross tires. Only Mary McConneloug was even close. Compton's power and cyclo-cross experience will make her the heavy favorite again this year. McConneloug says she is ready after doing some power training on Martha's Vineyard, that including riding into headwinds.

  Georgia Gould has also won many short tracks and should also be a contender. Last year she appeared a bit flat due to the massive effort she made in the cross country race. Heather Irmiger won the US ProXCT short track race in Colorado Springs in convincing fashion and will certainly be near the front of the race.

  Finally, Lea Davison, who finished third last season, is targeting this race. "I've been doing a lot of good work in the past months for preparation and I'm excited to toe the start line and give it my best shot. It's a deep field, and with the altitude - it should be a really interesting race," said Davison.

  It will be interesting to see how the 29-inch wheeled bikes fare this weekend. The American invention is rarely seen at the World Cups. JHK won the US marathon championships two weeks ago on his Superfly 100, but at this point no 29er has won a cross country championship. JHK, Todd Wells, Sam Schultz, Sam Koerber, Katie Compton, Heather Irmiger, Ryan Trebon, and others are expected to race 29ers this weekend.

  Downhill and mountain cross

  On the gravity side, racers will compete in the downhill and four cross. Veteran racer Eric Carter (GT) is the favorite in both events, but racers like Cody Warren (Specialized / Redline) and Duncan Riffle (Cannondale Factory Racing) will be there to challenge him. Myles Rockwell will reportedly not be racing after breaking his wrist last weekend, but Shaun Palmer may make an appearance in the downhill.

  On the women's side, current four cross World Champion Melissa Buhl (KHS Bicycles) will go head-to-head with former World Champion Jill Kintner, who returned to mountain biking this season after a year off to focus on racing BMX at the Olympic Games.

  Temperatures for the weekend are forecast to be in the 70s (degrees Fahrenheit) during the days. High altitude and dry conditions should make for dry, fast trails.

  Stay tuned to Cyclingnews for full coverage of the US National Championships this weekend.

  (Additional editorial assistance provided by Sue George)

• US Cup alters ProXCT finale venue and date

  

  Article published:

  July 15, 2009, 17:49

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Windham Mountain to host cross country and short track finals

  The US ProXCT series moved up its finale, from being run in conjunction with the Interbike Trade Show in September to being run during the Windham Mountain Resort round already scheduled for August 15-16. Windham Mountain will host not only the ProXCT series finale, but also the TrailWatch.net short track series finale.

  Organizers cited feedback from several of the pro teams, the challenging current state of the economy, travel costs and schedules as reasons. "September is packed full of World Cup racing commitments and Interbike, so we felt it was best to conclude the series at Windham Mountain," said Ty Kady, US Cup Marketing Director.

  "While we had a lot of the ProXCT riders and teams support the idea of hosting the ProXCT finale in conjunction with Dirt Demo [at Interbike], there were still some companies who were concerned that the Dirt Demo is their time to interface with the dealers, and they worried that if we put a race on, the dealers would leave their booths and focus on the race instead," said Kady to Cyclingnews. "We didn't want to upset them either."

  "Also, with cyclo-cross season starting up on the 26th [of September] in Wisconsin, it put some of the pro riders in a pinch with scheduling conflicts. Racers like Georgia Gould, Ryan Trebon and Katie Compton want to race 'cross, too," said Kady. "So at the end of the day, we all agreed it would be best to make Windham the final."

  "We talked with several of the pro teams and discussed some of the options and collectively we concluded ending the ProXCT at Windham would save the teams quite a bit of money on travel costs, as well as not conflict with existing World Cups or other racing commitments," said Kady. The US ProXCT teams and riders were already scheduled to attend the race in Windham.

  "I'm looking into a similar approach for 2010," said Kady. "We may host the US ProXCT finale at Mount Snow next year. It could work perfectly to do Mount Snow (in Vermont), then the Windham World Cup (in New York), then the worlds in Mont-Sainte-Anne (in Quebec, Canada)."

  The US ProXCT finale was previously scheduled for the Saturday after Interbike. It was then moved earlier in the week, to the Tuesday (September 22) just prior to the indoor Interbike Trade Show and in conjunction with the Interbike Dirt Demo.

  The US Cup, which runs a separate east and west coast series, will hold its unification round at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, California, on September 20 where, according to organizers, the facility and schedule are more suitable to host the finale.

  "We already hosted a US Cup round at Bonelli earlier this year, and the venue worked out great," said Kady. The finale is not piggybacking on an existing race, but will be its own event and will replace what was scheduled for Las Vegas on Saturday, September 26.

  Max Plaxton (Sho-Air / Specialized) is currently leading the series by 10 points over Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (Subaru / Gary Fisher) and Plaxton's teammate Sid Taberlay is in third. Catherine Pendrel leads the women's series ahead of Luna teammate Georgia Gould and Pua Sawicki (Mata).

  For more information, visit www.uscup.net.
   

• New European champion Näf to head the field in Plaffeien

  

  Article published:

  July 15, 2009, 16:04

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  Next round of Racer Bikes Cup to Plaffeien

  Newly crowned European cross country champion Ralph Näf will lead the field at round seven of the Racer Bikes Cup in Plaffeien this weekend. On a weekend when many nearby nations will be contesting their national cross country championships, the Racer Bikes Cup should attract many Swiss riders. Switzerland ran its championship two weekends ago.

  More than 500 racers are already signed up for their turn on the 5.5km course with singletrack, gravel roads, steep climbs and technical sections

  After his win last weekend, Näf is the favorite, but he'll face challenges from Lukas Flückiger, Rudolf Biedermann, Joris Boillat, Jérémy Huguenin and Martin Fanger.

  In the women's race, Swiss national champion Kathrin Leumann is a favorite along with Nathalie Schneitter and Eva Lechner. But Marielle Saner-Guinchard and Karin Rappo will give everything to make the top step of the podium, too.

  European championship runner-up Michelle Hediger and winner of six rounds, Matthias Rupp, are the ones to watch in the junior women's and amateurs categories respectively.

  Among the junior men, the winner will likely come from the quartet of Swiss champion Matthias Stirnemann, Lukas Loretz, Reto Indergand and Roger Walder.

  Elites, juniors and amateurs will race on Sunday.
   

• Highland Fling sells out in five hours

  

  Article published:

  July 15, 2009, 15:14

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  Popularity of Australian marathon grows

  The Highland Fling Mountain Bike Marathon sold out just five hours after registration opened on Thursday, July 9 at 6:00 am. Wild Horizons, the organizers, said that once all 1,500 places were booked, another 2,000 people tried to register, showing an unprecdented demand for an Australian event.
  
  The Highland Fling, scheduled for November 7-8, 2009, starts and finishes in the small town of Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
  
  The Fling, which doubles as the Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championship, is the largest sporting event in the district and two years ago was the first cycling event in Australia to go carbon neutral. It winds a route through farmland, forest and villages and includes the Full Fling (110km), Half Fling (55km), 100Mile Fling (160km) and Casual Fling (15km)
  
  "It has been a big week for Bundanoon. We knew the event would sell out quickly; given it took two weeks in 2008, so we thought perhaps a week this year," said Event Director Huw Kingston. "When we first tried to open entries at 4:00 pm on the 1 July, the demand crashed our web server."

  "When we tried again a week later, the server was better prepared but we were still taken aback by the speed the event sold out. It certainly shows the regard in which the event is held and the growing interest in cycling in general. We're sorry for those who did not get in this time, particularly those who had already booked flights, accommodation etc for the weekend. As always the Bundanoon community looks forward to welcoming the mountain bike community to town for the weekend."

  For more information on the event, visit www.wildhorizons.com.au.