MTB News & Racing Round-up, Thursday, April 14, 2011

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Date published:

April 14, 2011, 22:00

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.

• US Pro Gravity Tour (US Pro GRT) kicks off in Washington

  

  Article published:

  April 9, 2011, 14:30

  By:

  Cycling News

  Favorites test their legs at round 1 of US national series

  USA Cycling's 2011 Professional Gravity Mountain Bike Tour (US Pro GRT) starts today with the NW Cup in Port Angeles, Washington. The two-day event opens a five-event Pro GRT calendar culminating with the Wildflower Rush in Crested Butte, Colorado, on June 25-26.

  The men to watch out for this year are last year's champion Bryn Atkinson (Transition Bicycles), Andrew Neethling (Trek World Racing), Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) and the top returning American rider Waylon Smith (Santa Clarita Velo). Smith finished fifth in 2010 with 117 points. Logan Binggeli, Jared Graves, Jason Memmelaar and Duncan Riffle are others to watch.

  At Pro GRT events in 2010, Atkinson earned three podium finishes, including winning the NW Cup and a pair of runner-up results at Plattekill and Northstar.

  In 2010, the women were paced by American rider, Jill Kintner (Red Bull/Transition Racing), Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing), Melissa Buhl (KHS Bicycles), Jacqueline Harmony (Vixen Racing) and Darian Harvey (Vixen Racing).

  Kintner, a BMX bronze medalist in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, is expected to begin the defense of her Pro GRT overall championship this weekend.

  Harmony is looking strong heading into the US Pro GRT opener. She is fresh off winning the Pan American Mountain Bike Continental Championships last weekend in Colombia.

  Other rounds of the US Pro GRT include the Highland Bike Park in Northfield, New Hampshire May 14-15, the Plattekill (UCI C3) in Roxbury, New York on May 21-22 and Northstar (UCI C2) on June 18-19 in Truckee, California.

  At the conclusion of the entire Pro GRT calendar, a male and female winner will be crowned the series winner based on a season-long rankings system.

• Successful first elite year bodes well for Danny Hart for 2011

  

  Article published:

  April 11, 2011, 13:07

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Young British downhiller surprised himself with top tens last season

  Making the transition from the junior to the elite ranks is never easy and for many young riders, expectations are kept modest. Yet, every once in a while, a rider like Danny Hart comes along and jumps straight into the top 10 of the World Cup in his first year as a senior.

  Hart, who has just begun his second season with the Giant Factory Racing Team, finished eighth overall in the 2010 downhill World Cup.

  "I'll be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting to do that well in my first year after moving up from the juniors," said Hart to Cyclingnews at a recent team camp in Santa Barbara, California. "I was thinking top 40 or top 30, but I was in top 20 often, then top 10. I was in the top 10 at the Worlds. It was all on big tracks, too."

  The British rider started his first year as an elite off on a positive note, but he wasn't taking anything for granted. "I could imagine people after the first race saying oh, yeah, it's just one race, but I was 20th in the first World Cup and then it just got better from there."

  Hart credits his Giant team and the tutelage of Oscar Saiz for his success. "Oscar pointed me in the right direction and helped me get some structure. I had missed that for my first few years of racing."

  "When I was on a European team - a French-speaking team - they did a lot for me, but it's so much better to be on an English-speaking team. Everything is so much better, so much easier." Hart made the move to Giant in 2010 from the Lapierre team.

  Hart, who turns 20 this year, shows maturity when asked about his last season - he is not taking his success for granted.

  "It was a consistent season. I butchered one qualifying, but you can't dwell on that. You just have to keep moving on. I think being consistent over six or seven races is better than being really good at one of them. But, then if I could put one run together for world champs, that'd be good too."

  "Coming off last season and having a good, solid season, it's hard to say 'oh I want to do this or that'. I would like to get on the World Cup podium, and I think it's possible. I know I can do it. I want to keep being in the top 10 and getting higher and higher."

  He has gotten the 2011 season off to a good start with a win at the Maxxis Cup in Portugal. It was an important milestone for the youngster.

  "When I first started racing in Europe, I went to that race. I was there first as a cadet, and I've done it for quite a few years now. I always wanted to win it. This year I had a great week leading up to it, and I wanted to win it."

  Hart spent nearly all of the winter at home in Redcar in the United Kingdom. He's doing similar training to last year, but with a slightly different foucs.

  "I'm working on getting bigger. It's good motivation to see yourself getting bigger - you keep doing it. I'm doing a lot of weight training and working hard in the gym." Hart is hoping to bulk up. It will make him physically stronger on the demanding tracks and the extra mass will help him carry momentum downhills.

  "I do two different gym sessions, one with plyometrics with jumps and squats for more power, and another is just lifting as much weight as I can."

  "I'm also doing these three-minute intervals which are just killing me. That's for the fitness for the early races."

  What comes early in 2011 is the Sea Otter Classic in mid-April and the first World Cup in Pietermartizburg, South Africa. Both events are known for their very physically-demanding tracks, in the sense that a lot of pedalling is required. This tracks that emphasize mad technical skills come later in the year.

  All about the World Cup and Worlds

  With no Olympic Games in downhilling, the World Cups and the world championships are the most important events.

  Upcoming downhillers like Hart measure their progress regularly by pitting themselves at the world's best all season long at the World Cups.

  "South Africa is sticking out in my mind as I've been focusing on it for three months now," said Hart, " but I liked La Bresse and we're going back there. It'll also be good to race at Fort William on my home track."

  "Getting to Champery is a goal," said Hart of the world championships, which will be run in September in Switzerland. "I like it there and qualified seventh there last year, so I know I can do it. I have the confidence for it. It's in Europe and it's not far from home."

  The venue is notorious for its technical difficulty, especially when wet. "I went to Champery for the first time last season and needless to say, I was a intimidated based on what I'd heard. In my first practice run, I could see it was steep and technical."

  However, his experience was a good one. "I really enjoyed it. It's interesting and I'm looking forward to it again. It's good to have a season with different kinds of tracks in it."

  Of course, getting to Worlds isn't easy when you're a British downhiller.

  "Making the Worlds team though for Great Britain is quite a task. There's a lot of competition. The Worlds team is picked off World Cups and the national championships."

  "There are probably 10 British guys who could win Worlds. Last year, at Mont-Sainte-Anne, we had five riders in the top 10. And they can only send six of us. That puts it in perspective." Some of Hart's competition includes former elite world champions Steve Peat and Gee Atherton and Marc Beaumont and Josh Bryceland.

  When asked what makes British downhillers so fast, Hart said, "It's a small country and we haven't got any mountains. I think we have two tracks that have lift service, so everyone just has to push it. Everyone is tight and people are crazy for downhill. The national series is filled with talent. I don't know why, but everyone is so keen on the racing."

  "It's always wet so all the tracks are pretty rooty and wet and we get used to it. It's almost second nature to us to ride that stuff."

  Look out for Hart at the World Cups and the world championships. He'll also be racing Crankworx in Whistler and some US Pro GRTs.

  "I thought about racing the US Open, but it's a week before Fort William, which is my priority as it's my home World Cup track."

• Ontario Cup Series undergoes changes for 2011

  

  Article published:

  April 12, 2011, 17:21

  By:

  Cycling News

  New venue, new race dates and new categories

  Chico Racing and the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) announced some changes to the Plastiglas Ontario Cup Series for 2011 including a new venue, new race dates and new categories.

  The series has shifted one of the most popular venues Albion Hills (previously Ontario Cup # 2) from Mother's Day weekend to June 12. This date change is partially to give Albion's new trails a chance to settle, and for the launch of Mountain Bike Month at Albion Hills - culminating at the end of June with North America's Largest 24-hour race, the Summer Solstice on June 25-26.

  "We moved the date for Albion Hills because this will allow us to showcase three brand new singletrack trails at this very popular stop on the O-Cup race calendar," said Chico Racing's Course Designer Sean Ruppel.

  The Woodnewton venue, located just outside of Uxbridge. Woodnewton, will take the place of the mid-May date. It was a brand new venue in 2010 and has received a few course updates including a rock garden and a new technical uphill section. A "Learn to Race Clinic" on May 14 is also be run for anyone wanting to update his or her skills or get involved in racing.

  The Highlands Nordic, near Collingwood, is another new venue for 2011. This brand new course will test riders in September for Ontario cross country mountain bike championships, and promises a moderately technical trail, with a couple fun climbs.

  "For those that have done some riding in the area, a very good description is a combination of Kolapore and Three Stage," said course builder Scott Holmes of HBCC.

  In addition to venue updates, the Plastiglas Ontario Cup Series will also undergo a couple category changes. With the exploding youth movement in Ontario, the OCA has lowered the racing age to nine, instead of 10. This means there is a brand new category of mini mountain bikers - the Squirts for ages nine and 10. This shake-up also means Peewee will be for 11 and 12 year olds only.

  The youth segment isn't the only category changing things up for 2011, as changes are in store for men 50 plus. For these hardened veterans, there will be a brand new category; the 50-54 Expert men's division.

  "This should help spread out riders of varying abilities, and make racing a little more forgiving for less experienced riders in the 50 plus age category," said President of Chico Racing Adam Ruppel.

  For more information on the series, visit www.chicoracing.com.

• Whole Athlete-Specialized Team tackles Sea Otter with full roster

  

  Article published:

  April 12, 2011, 19:57

  By:

  Cycling News

  Eighteen riders to contest West Coast's largest mountain bike event

  The Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team has its sights set on the 2011 Sea Otter Classic on April 15-17 and is sending a contingent of young riders. Nine junior boys, five junior girls, and four under 23 riders will contest their respective cross country races.

  Standout juniors including Keegan Swenson (2010 Junior men's 15-16 National Champion) and Tony Smith (2010 Worlds team member) will face a strong field as they look to maintain their momentum of consecutive one-two finishes in the first two US Pro XCT rounds at Bonelli Park and Fontana.

  Sea Otter will mark the first foray into national-class racing for the junior girls this season, who have focused mainly on High School League racing so far this year. Sofia Hamilton (2010 Worlds team member) is hoping for one step above her second place finish in last year's junior women's 17-18 race, while current junior 15-16 national champion Kate Courtney, also a podium finisher last year, hopes to take top honors in this year's event.

  On the under 23 side, neo-pro Zach Valdez is coming off a strong start to the spring, including two second place finishes in the Kenda Cup Series and 10th in the Bonelli Park US Pro XCT short track. Valdez and his U23 teammates will face the country's top professional racers at Sea Otter, which is the third stop of the US Pro XCT Series.

  Whole Athlete-Specialized for the Sea Otter Classic
  Junior Men 17-18: Keegan Swenson, Tony Smith, Max Houtzager, Taylor Smith, Bobby Zidek, Sven Beer, Eliel Anttila
  Junior men 15-16: Lucas Newcomb, Jonny Kaufman
  Junior Women: Sofia Hamilton, Kate Courtney, Victoria Yoham, Mackinzie Stanley, Josie Nordrum
  Under 23 Men: Zach Valdez, Will Curtis, Riley Predum, Will Patterson

• Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge returns for year two

  

  Article published:

  April 12, 2011, 20:33

  By:

  Cycling News

  Later date planned for five day race

  The Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) is back for 2011. The second edition of the race will be held on October 17-23.

  Organised by Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), the five-day race will take mountain bikers throughout a protected tropical rainforest area.

  The event, which is officially listed as an international event on the UCI calendar, offers ranking points in the UCI standings for the top 10 finishers. LIMBC will end with a jamboree for social riders wishing to participate for fun amongst nature, friends and family. The race boasts the biggest purse in Asia - with a RM360,000 in cash and prizes.

  The adventure will begin with stage 1 on October 18 with the 62km. Next up will be stage 2, a cross country which starts and finishes at Kampung Tok Senik Resort. Stage 3 will be a seven-hour endurance cross country special stage race at Telaga Harbour Park, Pantai Kok, followed by the nerve-shredding King of the Mountain and cross country race which will end at the Gunung Raya Hill as stage 4, before the event culminates with Stage 5, a short track race. The jamboree ride event marks the closing and final day of this much-anticipated race, with a limited participation of up to 1,000 riders for the 44km race. Social riders of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate.

  "As we are aware, mountain biking is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in the world. The LIMBC is where adventure meets nature, designed for all mountain bikers to have fun regardless of their status," said Human Voyage CEO Dato' Abdul Malik Mydin.

  "Above all, as an eco-friendly event, LIMBC is the best tool to promote Langkawi as one of Malaysia's major tourist destinations," said Malik.

  Last year's race was run on August 6-8 with 765 local and 55 international racers. Lachlan Norris won the elite men's race while Adrian Lauridsen and Emir Shafiq Zainal were the top juniors.

  For 2011, the entry fee for international participants is US$400, which includes race registration, accommodation, full board meals and return transfer to the airport.

  The race entry fee for local riders is RM150 with free accommodation provided to the first 400 confirmed local participants to register. Riders wishing to participate only in the jamboree may do so with an entry fee of RM60.

  Participants will be divided into four categories - elite men between the ages 19 and 39, elite women 19 and above, Master men 40-50 and Senior master men 51 and above.

  For more information, visit www.mtbmalaysia.com.

• Defending champ Mather hoping for two on the trot

  

  Article published:

  April 14, 2011, 05:52

  By:

  Cycling News

  Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championship this weekend

  A major challenge for the 2011 Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championship jersey awaits defending champion, Ben Mather as he takes on some of the nation's best endurance riders at the Mt Joyce Escape Mountain Bike Park in Queensland this Sunday April 17.

  The Tasmanian rider will be among more than 750 competitors set to take on some of the most demanding climbs and unforgiving trails at the 80km course - the Marathon Championships being the first event to showcase the new venue.

  Mather, 29, spearheaded the charge to win the hotly-contested 2010 Nemisis Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championships in Avoca, Victoria last April. Mather made a bold move to go out hard securing an extended lead on the field in the early stages of the race which he held to the finish line.

  Mather holds high hopes that he has what it takes to take out his second consecutive Australian Marathon Championships title while battling tough rivalry on the new and unfamiliar terrain.

  "The new course itself is a little unknown and I'm not too sure what to expect. The combination of the poor weather conditions forecast and the unfamiliar terrain could prove very challenging for myself and the other riders - it will be interesting to see how it plays out," he said.

  "In terms of my fitness, I am feeling good. I wouldn't say that I am in peak form but I think I've got a good chance at being on the leaders' board in the final stages."

  "It would be nice to take out the title once again but being realistic, there is a strong field going into the race and I know they will be tough to beat."

  "Peter Hatton in particular is riding very well and is in exceptional form coming off the back of a good performance in the Cape Epic Africa Mountain Bike race. Dylan Cooper is another favourite to beat and I know those boys will contest with very good form in their legs."

  Mather will face strong opposition in the elite men's event from the likes of 2010/11 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series silver medallist Aiden Lefmann (QLD), 2010 Nemisis Australian Mountain Bike Marathon runner up Peter Hatton (NSW), Dylan Cooper (ACT) and Neil Van Der Ploeg (Tawonga).

  In the open women's event, 2010 Nemisis Australian Mountain Bike Marathon champion Heather Logie (ACT) won't be returning to defend her title leaving an open field of prospects seeking victory.

  The Canberra rider is taking a short break from the bike and will return to competition later in the year when in optimal form.

  Therefore, it's anyone's race with 2010/11 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series runner up, Jenni King (Ringwood) Terri Rhodes (SA) and Niki Fisher (Ivanhoe) amongst the mix of top contenders to take home the jersey.

  Regardless of the victor, with a challenging course and a red-hot field across all events, the 2011 Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championship is sure to make for an enthralling showcase of competition amongst Australia's elite.

   

• Oldest race in Germany to kick off International MTB- Bundesliga series

  

  Article published:

  April 14, 2011, 11:49

  By:

  Cycling News

  Hermida and Spitz headline starters in Münsingen for this weekend

  The 25th edition of Münsingen Spring Classic will kick off the domestic mountain bike season in Germany as the first round of the 2011 International MTB-Bundesliga. Reigning world champion José Antonio Hermida and Olympic champion Sabine Spitz top the start list, which also includes the Cannondale and Ghost teams.

  The event is drawing more than 1300 participants, with 700 of them doing a marathon on Saturday. A sprint distance race will give the elite racers a chance to warm up their legs on Saturday evening before the traditional cross country race on Sunday.

  The racing in Münsingen comes six days before the UCI World Cup opens in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. It's a final test for some of Europe's top cross country racers.

  The Multivan Merida Biking Team is fielding a strong team, including Hermida and three-time Münsingen winner Ralph Näf, Cannondale Factory Racing is sending Marco Fontana, Martin Gujan and local hero Manuel Fumic.

  Fumic, who's missed the race for the past three years, is aiming for a podium finish. "It's a real classic race and there are not a lot of races with that long of a history." He's never previously made the top three at the event.

  Rabobank-Giant is bringing Henk-Jaap Moorlag and Emil Lindgren while Felt-Ötztal-X-Bionic's roster includes Thomas Litscher and Karl Markt.

  Another racer to watch is Jochen Käss, who was ranked second at the Cape Epic and is in good form. "I feel good and I will try to be in the front group. Doesn't matter if I'm exploding on the last lap," he said.

  Last year's women's race winner Lisi Osl (Ghost) is coming back to Münsingen with two race victories already in her legs this year - both in the Swiss Racer Bikes Cup. She'll face Spitz as well as Spitz's new Central Haibike teammate Tereza Hurikova.

  "In Tesserete (at the Swiss Racer Bikes Cup), I had some problems with my diaphragm, but I think I can manage that until Sunday," said Olympic Champion Spitz. "I'm okay with my preparation and my plan is working."

  Nathalie Schneitter, a World Cup winner in Champéry in 2010, is fresh off the Cape Epic and shifting into higher speed cross country mode. European champion Katrin Leumann is another possible podium contender.

  Those favorites will have to keep an eye out for Blaza Klemencic (Felt Ötztal X-Bionic), Annika Langvad (Easton Rockets) and U23 world champion Alexandra Engen (Rothaus Poison-Bikes) as well as Elisabeth Brandau (Central Haibike).

  Saturday's eliminator race, the Centurion Sprint, will count toward the overall Bundesliga ranking. It will start with a time trial qualification, followed by heats of six racers. The fastest two continue to advance to each next round.

  The Spring Classic in Münsingen is the oldest race in Germany. It started in 1987. For a lot of years, Münsingen had a reputation for bad weather, often with rain or snow. That's why someone called the race "the Paris-Roubaix of mountain biking".

  The 1300 pre-registered racers sets an attendance record. The old record was 1139 racers in 2010. Organizers attribute the bump up in participation to the Uralan Frühjahrsmarathon, a 45-kilometer loop which is open to amateurs and licenced riders as well on Saturday. Three-time Cape Epic winner Stefan Sahm (Bulls) will be among those racing.

  This year's MTB-Bundesliga International consists of four events, each with a short format race and a traditional cross country. The remaining rounds will be on May 14-15 in Saalhausen (C1), September 10-11 in Heubach (HC) and September 24-25 in Bad Salzdetfurth (C1).

• Strong support for high school racers at Sea Otter

  

  Article published:

  April 14, 2011, 21:50

  By:

  Cycling News

  Four state leagues to be represented

  The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) has teamed up with pro riders, teams and cycling manufacturers who will teach and assist student athletes from the Colorado, SoCal, Washington and NorCal leagues during the Sea Otter Classic on April 14-17 at the at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California.

  "The Sea Otter Classic has a special place in the history of high school cycling, as it is one of the events where we first got students from different schools competing against one another, way back in 2001," said NICA executive director, Matt Fritzinger. "It is very energizing to look back now and see how far we have come, thanks in part to events like this one that have supported us over the years."

  NICA high school rider clinics with the pros

  Pro riders will conduct clinics with NICA student athletes. These include clinics such as the following: Saturday, April 16 at 10:00 am: Clinic and ride with Kinetic pro Meredith Miller. Saturday, April 16 at 4:30 pm: Race warm-up with Giant pro Adam Craig. Sunday, April 17 at 10:00 am: Ride with the Subaru-Trek Mountain Bike Team. Sunday, April 17 at 12:30 pm: Finding sponsorship and balancing your life as a competitive mountain biker, with WTB's Jason Moeschler.

  NICA Saturday spin down

  These sessions comprise three ambassador groups of 10 riders, each spinning for one hour, at the NICA Neutral Support Zone. Sessions are planned for Saturday 11:00 am to noon; noon to 1:00 pm; 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

  NICA high school neutral support zone

  NICA is providing technical support for any student athletes in a high school cycling league, regardless of the team. Support will consist of Clif and Gu racing product, mechanical support, places to store bags and set-up trainers for race warm-up.

  NICA pro rider photo ops

  Pro riders are invited to drop by unscheduled for a photo op with NICA riders.

  High school students that wish to participate should email Tim Darwick tim@nationalmtb.org. NICA will be between booth #600 and #624 in the team parking section.