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Mt.St.Anne QUalifier

Today was an awesome day compared to yesterday's mudfest!! Still muddy as hell, but the puddles disappeared in most spots, ruts and holes were there the whole way though. no rain or mist in your face which make it so nice to be able to see. This place has it all- High speeds, rocks, roots, and everything else you want to put into a wild rodeo ride down a hill. That quali run was my first non fog run. It's been so dense that you can't see the ground from the chair lift! Haven't done too many runs yet, can count them on one hand. Body felt ok today, so that was fantastic after the carcus I had yesterday. My crash today was super lame , into a big slop mud bog, but I'm still in the mix for sunday.

T-mo and Minnaar won quali's convincingly today. They were looking good, and have both won here before. Big risks going that fast, but it held together. Gwin and Pugin 2nd, Bryceland and Rachel Atherton 3rd.

I ended up 7th. Rode the technical bits pretty good I thought, but didn't really let it roll in the fast bits too much, crash lost a bunch of time too. just wasn't feeling it quite yet. Qualifying is just that, make it into the top 20, although I'd love to get some points to loose my number 13. Have some stuff to work on. The ever changing terrain here should be drying up a little in the next couple days. Won the speed trap again, Woo!!

Mt.St.Anne Day 1 practice

VITAL/FLIPPER PHOTO: Well after a pretty crappy trip here; having been delayed in denver and a missed  the connection, stayed in a hotel in chicago and waited for the next flight, then arrived a day late with no bikes. Missed the track walk.

Got my bike bright and early this morning, Marshy built it up, registered, pulled number 13 again, had one cruisy run, then in my second run crashed so hard in the fastest spot possible on the track from loose rock "death cookie" under my front wheel. Swap of doom, landing on a bridge and rocks going fast enough:( . My gear had so much orange spray paint on it from the danger markings I landed on, not fun. I called it a day after that. one and a half runs in. Suprisingly, no major damage, swell-bow elbow and some bruises, but will be fine.

THe ruts and weather today were worse than anywhereI have ever seen. Track was in a constant state of puddles and poor visibility. Had myself a proper track walk instead of making my swollen joints any worse. Conditions are supposed to improve, but it's gonna be sloppy for then next couple days at least. Quali tomorrow is all about just getting in the mix top 20...

Pro gravity tour overall champ

Just got word from JDD that I have secured the Pro Grt overall Downhill series title for the second year in a row!!!! Pretty sweet title to add to the ol resume. Stoked to get it done for all my sponsors!! And support US racing. The series keeps getting better every year. I wasn't going to be able to attend the final round at northstar anyway, got all of august in Europe, so yeah, woo!!

QUEBEC

Heading to Mt.St.Anne, QUebec. World cup action coming up....

NW cup #3 in Mt.Hood

SKIBOWL- MT.HOOD, OREGONCouldn't find results anywhere but on facebook for the Regional NW race back in Oregon. Same weekedn as the National round in Crested Butte. Few top national guys in attendance. Mikey Sylvestry getting it done- on a roll. Local legend Kyle Thomas apparently had a flat in his run. Timmer pulling the deuce in some fresh non turquoise gear? and TR Charlie on podium with a bronze in his home state! nice one. Mountain Man keith was out with a busted body. If I wasn't global this year, I probably would've been in Hood, sick track, good people. Estes no doubt spitting gold on the microphone, per usual.

Top 5 Pro results: 1.Mikey Sylvestry 2. Tyler Immer 3. Charlie Sponsel 4. Adam Ransavage 5. Eric Loney

Pro GRT Results- Crested Butte.

Jared Graves and I won today!! Can't say it came easy either, so brutal pedalling here at altitude. Like I said before, not a very technical track, but a lot of effort keeping momentum going. Dry as a bone, no humidity anywhere, just a mad sprint in all the flat bits. Black Lung central.
This is from VITALMTB.com....
In the Men's final, Yeti/Fox racer and first place qualifier, Jared Graves, beat out DRD/X-Fusion/Intense's Cody Warren by just 17 hundredths of a second. Graves and Warren both put three plus seconds into the rest of the field. Cody Warren now leads the series by four points over Aaron Gwin.
The Women's race was a bit more spread out. Transition's Jill Kintner took the win over Vixen Racing's Jackie Harmony by 1.3 seconds. Kintner has won all three of the ProGRT events she has entered, and now leads the series by a commanding 60 points over Harmony.
DH Men Final
1 - Jared Graves
2 - Cody Warren
3 - Ben Furbee
4 - Richie Rude Jr
5 - Logan Binggeli
DH Women
1 - Jill Kintner
2 - Jackie Harmony
3 - Melissa Buhl
4 - Darian Harvey
5 - Rebecca Gardner

2 days in- Crested Butte

Race day And a seeding tomorrow. Been practicing away up here at 10,000 feet in the dust. Beautiful weather  in Colorado, bit windy, but nice overall. Parking lot looks like a camp zone, so many tents and campers, nightly bonfires, grassroots at it's finest. Course is a lot of fun to ride, but gonna be difficult to race Just with the air, or lack of , and the physical effort. I put in a couple full runs so far, and my lungs are hacking up all kinds of junk. Hard work , pretty flat near the end, so not only is there no oxygen, but you gotta sprint hard in a lot of zones. Not the most technical course, but good for learning efficiency, braking, high speeds, dusty corners and accelerating. Plenty of positive features to take away from any course really. Smooth is fast here, 3:40 something is an estimate of men's times, more for me probably...Feeling good, having fun. TR450 loves it.

Crested Butte Track walk

CRESTED BUTTEArrived in Crested Butte this afternoon after 4-5 hrs of driving form denver. Hot sunny weather, snow on the peaks, beautiful resort village, wildflowers,,, not too bad of place really.

Thunder Valley MX track was on the way outta town, an outdoor national is going on this weekend there, wish we could go watch the MX superstars doing their thing.

Anyway, back to reality, we are at some serious elevation 10,000+ feet out here in CB. Missed that chair lift up today for course walk, and ended up hiking/breathing heavily all the way up and down. Altitude makes you feel the same as some outta shape fatty, but we carried on up the mtn to have a look anyway. Course here is super duper straight forward. Very few line choices, more about riding with speed plus braking and pedaling. It'll be fun fast and hopefully not too dusty in my nose.

Anyway, we got a pimpin pad across from the pits, condo style, so I can't wait to get ater it this weekend. Thanks to Brad and Team Keene for taking me in :) Good times.

Oh, there is a slalom here too, but I am probably gonna pass. Normally I am all about slalom, but wasn't really a big fan of this course at first glance. Who knows, maybe it rides better than it looks,gonna take a hot lap for fair analysis, but gonna just try and save some energy. I only have my covert xc bike anyway.

The entire Yeti team is here racing, so Shaun O connor and Jared, plus the national team. That's good colorado support, plus khs, intense/xfusion/ddd, and the usual suspects at these ntl rounds. Buhly and Jackie are here for the ladies field. Most of the other top world cup guys and gals are resting up getting ready for Mt St Anne next week. I'm just getting in as much riding as possible, cause I love it! riding at altitude will help for next week too!! Feeling good on the bike, can't wait for Canada!!.

Colorado

Been hanging out in Denver for a couple days. Such a nice city, really like it. Buhly and a few homies live here, so we've been having a good time. Drove up to boulder too to ride at this Valmont bike park. Bit of a beginner park, but also had jumps an stuff which were fun. Leigh Donovan and her daughter grace just happened to be on a road trip through here, so we did some hot laps:) spent about three hours out in the baking sun, and have a nice sunburn to show or the effort. Good litte shred session with a ton of other pros and locals combined. Dunno if I would go back again, but it was fun for a day!

Up next, crested butte Colorado for the pro grt round/ mountain states cup. Looks to be pretty high elevation again, and pretty long track, so we shall see. Took awhile to get over the black lung from sol vista. Ol crusty butt sounds like a nice place, so can't wait.

N

Triple dipped

SOL VISTA, COLORADOMinnaar and I took the pro wins and tons of cash at the Triple DHip event in Colorado this weekend!!! Kind of an undercover race, as the dates changed last minute, but glad I decided to go!! They ran an awesome event, getting the town involved, and crazy good prizes; full sram group sets for all amateur classes, and best pro prize purse in the USA- 25k all up.

Not a bad day for Minnaar taking home $7600 for the men's win, 2nd-Mick hannah 5k, Neethling $2700, all the way back to 12th for the boys. For the ladies, we had a small turnout, and not as much scrill, but 2k is not a bad prize purse to take home, I'm stoked.

Think over the three days and 3 tracks I did 30 runs! Which is a shitload. People did even more than that I'm sure. Luckily the lift moves quick and the runs are like 3 min, so not too bad, but it was a solid effort of riding for one weekend.

Trails were a lot of fun and challenging , which is pretty good for a bike park. Natural terrain, not too blown out, good rock gardens, nice flow, jumps, etc. Chainless was my favorite race though!! It's not really a surprise minnaar won that stage, he is really smooth and big, carries good speed. Lots to be said for this kind of training.

1. Minnaar 2. Mick 3. Neethling 4.Mikey Sylvestri 5.mithc ropolado

1. jill 2.Jackie Harmony 3. Julie Olsen

Triple dippin- sol vista

Rainy muddy day today up on the mountain. Rare to see nore than an afternoon thunderstorm in Colorado, but the rain seems to be on a roll of constant dribble. Kinda make the sandy terrain better i think. There are some really boggy mud sections too. Usually bone dry and chapped with some sunburn, so being freezing cold all day was a surprise. With 3 different tracks to learn here for the omnium overall time, there is a bit of strategy involved with how to practice. Did a lot of runs cause its fun and easy to do, but took some contour footage too to help remember it all.

Wonder what the record today was, one guy did 15, but we ha practice from 10am-7pm. I got in 6 on the chainless track, 4 on the other one, none on the old ntl champs track from last year. I'm still feeling a bit tired from jetlag, add the altitude of 9000feet and it's big days.

Fun trails though. this chainless thing makes you think. Taking the chain off actually changes how you hold yourself without tension n stuff, braking is more important, smoothish lines, pumping- all good stuff. Lot of fun. There is a mini world cup crew, Mostly rock shox guys, mic hannah, Minnaar, Neethling, duncan, Mitch ropolato, etc. Lots of us guys too, not so many chicks:( but it should be an epic battle for the cash!!

Two races tomorrow, one Sunday....

Triple Dip- Sol Vista

Up next is a big cash money race in Sol Vista, Colorado this weekend. This is the location we had national champs last year, but the Bike park crew there was able to go to the city council and get $25,000 for prize money for the event, to stimulate the local economy. Racing is big in colorado, the Mountain States cups are almost as big as the nationals, so it should be a good turnout. Winner of this event will be taking home a bunch of scrill, but I guess it pays pretty deep, so a lot of people will get a piece. Minnaar, Giant boys, top US guys, and I will all be there.

Three race format, hence the name "triple" dip. one race is a chainless race! two regular dh races, on different tracks. Omnium format. Not too much info on the website, but, scheduling allowed this race to change it's date, which lines up perfect with the following weekend in Crested Butte, then off to Mont St Anne the week after..

http://www.tripledhip.com/

Home

Made it back from Austria to get two days home with my wounded soldier- Bryn. He's doing pretty good, had first day at PT yesterday and is already ahead of the game with his flexibility. Painful injury though that can't be rushed, which is gonna have him off his feet till at least August 13. Mom has been doing a great job looking after him, blood pressure under control.

To cheer him up, I spent the whole day, feng shui-ing the basement, mowing the lawn, adding flowers, and getting everything streamlined. Pretty nice little zone now right by the fireplace.

Leogang DH finals

Leogang, AustriaLot of positives came out of today, but it's pretty devastating to be winning the top split and speed trap, then have a crash on a ripper run. So it goes. Was in an easy spot, but the lip of this jump had a weird rut up the face and sent me off the track, down a hill, and tangled up in tape, no chance after that. Was just before the two wooden berms.

Nice to know my speeds are getting faster, and will be competitive at the next rounds. Going home with some more motivation..... Congrats to USA's Aaron Gwin for another win, and Pugin for her first ever WC victory. 

Austria WC

Vitamtb.com photo Had practice today, and a timed run. Good to have the extra practice for being top 20:). doesn't rush the day so much. Had a flat too, which took awhile to get down. All nice and dry too, which made today one of the best days of riding on one of the most fun courses. I was loving it. But every run, new ruts and holes seemed to form. It's a pretty straight forward track, but the hardest part for me has been the roots , just braking properly, and trusting the bike down everything. There are a couple sections that take a lot of control. Now that it's raining, may be a bit trickier, for sure a few new lines tomorrow. Miss bryn out here:( Bit tough without any teammates, but luckily I got some nice fast friends to shoe me some things..Later

LEOGANG, AUSTRIA WC#3

LEOGANG, AUSTRIA Little travel day on monday, and now we are at the next round of the World Cup, in a vastly different location- Austria. Surrounded by towering mountains, green grass, ornate wood carved balconies, snitzel, off and on rain, and perfectly stacked firewood .

It has been a couple years since I was over here in Europe, but it all seems so much easier than it used to be for some reason. I'm pretty well a professional traveler. Did the solo journey -drove to glasgow, flew to london then munich, rented a car , and drove here on "z autoban" going moch speed. Doesn't seem right though that I am driving an american car in Germany when I drive German cars in America. Oh well.

Sun was out yesterday, so I used my time to do some hiking and get a feel for the place, till marshy and Scotty got here. Meet up with Billy from dirt on the way to my hike, so we scoped together. Check out his photos on the Dirt website .

Walking down the track, it is a steep one. Kind of had a nice feel though. It'll be real challenging, but I can't wait to hit some ruts. First minute may have my name on it again. Feels a lot like home actually. I think our buddy Luke Strobel is going to pull a major result, cause this is what we ride all the time, little rooty-er and worn in, but his style for sure. Glad Bryn made me ride exit 38 a bunch and get comfy on awkward terrain. Wish he were here, would've been a good one for him too:( Lets hope today/ tomorrow is the last of this rain.

WC DOWNHILL FINALS- FT.BILL

FT.WILLIAM, SCOTLAND I finished 6th today in World Cup Downhill!!

Pretty good, had an awesome time riding and just being here. Didn't feel too nervous, was just trying to put together something worthy. It's nice to have goals to strive for again, Downhill is a wild beast full of close calls, speed, skill, fitness, loose moments, etc. Wish there were never any mistakes, but it happens to everyone.

These WC girls ride so well, the pace will keep on challenging me. Tracy Mosley, today's winner, has raced here since 1997 and won this course 5 times!!! SO she knows what the pace is, but it was still close between her and Rachel Atherton. Sabrina is usually a dominator, but looked a bit off. Pugin was solid as was pom pom.

My run was pretty dialled except for the bit in the woods, it was kindo of a 50/50 section. got it good every other time it seemed. slipped coming into both root bits and stalled out, foot out unclipped for days scootering along trying to get over it and the next uphill bit into the road gap was not stunning either, other than that, put in a good effort. Learning a ton as I go. Just the connecting pedals 1-2 outta berms with power, and linking sections together need some more attention. Maybe some lines too, but this track was pretty straight forward. Got my flow on, and has so much fun!!, so I'm really happy with the weekend!!:) 11 times down the course total.

America is getting back up there in the ranks. Gwin is doing his job, but had an unfortunate crash near the end. Still finished 5th. Brooke McDonald smashed out a ripper of a run for 3rd, and Danny DH hart was amazing. Such a drifter and loose unit. He is running near his potential, bit tidier and he'll have one of these.

Exciting stuff. Always a huge turnout of fans here. Bus loads pooling in all day!! dirtmag, vital, pinkbike, have the goods.

Flight in the AM to Munich- next week a different beast to tame in Leogang, Austria...Big thanks to Transition, Red BUll, our co-sponsors, Bryn, my Coach Scott sharples, and marshy for wrenching. c ya.

WOMEN 1. T-MO 2. Rachel Atherton 3. Pugin 4. Pom Pom 5. Sabrina Jonnier 6. Jill 7. Ragot

MENS DH 1. Minnaar 2. Danny Hart 3. Brook McDonald 4. Gee 5. Gwin 6. Cam Cole 7. Blenkinsop

WC#2 Downhill Qualifier

First full run completed on the course!!! I am loving this track. Had the fastest top split in my run today, which is a small victory. It's pretty much a rougher looser slalom, and the first minute is kind of my specialty, the other 4 min are what I have trained so hard for!!! Stoked. Got a little balled up in the middle, had to make a quick pass on the rider in front of me coming into the woods, but the 5 faster seeded girls in front of me pulled quite a few seconds there in the middle. 6th is pretty good though. Should be clear tomorrow. Cool for Gwin to have such a ripper of a run. Think a lot of dudes were surprised how much faster he went than the guys that have won here in the past. Heard a lot of other stories about people flipping over the bars in the swamp section of woods. A big hole formed and sucked in a lot of front wheels, I pulled a one footer in there, garbage. Stoked for Luke Strobel, 10th today and gaining, keeping in real for NW...

It's been so helpful to have my coach Scotty Sharples here for support, as well as marshy tuning the ol bike.

Miss bryn though:( He would have put the stomp on these guys today. He and Mom finally got on a plane and made it back home to Seattle!!!

Race day tomorrow.

Ft.Bill DH prctice

FT.WILLIAM, SCOTLAND First day of practice under sunny skies. The track here is a lot of fun, I was really enjoying the speed up top. Throw in some pedaling and we got ourselves one exhausting, rough as guts race track. Took awhile to learn where to go, still sort of getting it down, but yeah, it is only the first day. The new wooded bit has got some issues with drainage and roots, so I think some changes were being made. The approach to that road gap is terrible. It's not a difficult jump, just uphill and boggy coming in. Bottom is flatter and lots of sprinting. dunno. It's gonna be brutal to piece together with max effort.

I wrote more, but it didn' save. Practice and quali tomorrow .