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2001-2002 Winter Mountain Bike Series |
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THE COOL CHASE -
Saturday,
December 1 |
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The Cool Chase, the first of five races, on Saturday turned out to be an absolutely beautiful sunny day for mountain bike racing. Highs were right around 70 degrees. The rain we received on the previous day was just enough to make the course sticky and fast. John Benoit, winner of the expert race, turned 3 laps in 1:25:14. Tinker watch out, pretty impressive riding John.
The beginner and junior races started out the day with a 1:30 start time. The Beginner 30+ race had 26 competitors at the start line, many of which were first time racers. Scott Tyson took the gold with the top beginner time of the day at 33:20, just 20 seconds ahead of an exciting sprint finish for second between Corey Tate and Christopher Byres. Brad Taylor took first in the Beginner 19 - 29 race with a time of 34:00. It looks like 30+ races are putting it to those young bucks in the 19 - 29 category. Could it be a challenge for the young fellows? Seven strong beginner women battled on the single tack with Robin Autry taking top honors in 38:51. We hope to continue to build the beginner women category. David Lemond took first in the Juniors 14 - 18 and Nicholas Faust took first in the Juniors 8 - 14.
The export and sport men and women took the stage at 3:00 as the sun beamed down on the racers. The expert category lined up a very strong field with 13 heavy hitters including Mike Kelly, Doug Boice, the Bike Source trio of Perry Lee, David Neumann and Mac Cannon, and Tarheel Trailblazer Jack Crouch all chasing South Park Cycles John Benoit around the 6.2 mile trail. John, just coming off a very strong summer season of mountain bike racing, won the Cane Creek Mountain Bike Points Series as a sport rider. The sport men had an unusually small field with 4 riders but did not lack talent as Kevin Mullins took the top position in 1:02:12. Once again, the 30+ race winner would took the fastest time in the sport class with Chad Woodworth coming in at 1:01:40. Another wild battle for second place went down as Scott Nelson edged Sean Ball by half a wheel at the line just 20 seconds behind the winner. Check the replay, please!! I guess all of the Expert/Sport Women heard Patty Smith was going to race today and decided not to show. Patty took top honors in the women's race with a time of 1:15:42 as she was the lone competitor in the field. Ladies, come on, Patty promises to take it easy on you if you will just come out and give the race a shot.
All in all the first race of the Columbia Crest Winter Mountain Bike Series was a huge success. Great weather, fast racing, no series injuries, and most of all everyone had a great time. Keep up the great riding and bring a friend to the next race.
Neal |
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