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MOUNTAIN STATES CUP No. 2 CHALK CREEK STAMPEDE ROUNDS OUT RACE
WEEKEND WITH DS & 4X
May 9, 2008
Golden, Colo. – While most Coloradans grumbled and groaned about the late-spring blizzard that blanketed most of the state, Nathrop, Colo. lived up to its advanced billing as the heart of Colorado’s Banana Belt. Nathrop and the McMurray Ranch played host to the second round of the 2008 Mountain States Cup—The Chalk Creek Stampede, which happily enough found itself in the donut hole of the storm. Blue skies and warm temps were abundant as National Champions, World Champions, pros and amateurs alike all turned out in droves to check out the second round of this year’s MSC which featured dual slalom & mountaincross.
Hanak, Milan, Carter, Big House Headline Fox Racing Shox 4X
The MSC gravity season opener brought many pros to the stage before heading
off to World Cup races. In fact the men’s pro finals looked a lot like a World
Cup gate with former World Champ Eric Carter (Mongoose), reigning
National Champ Rich Houseman (Yeti / Fox), Czech Pro Peter Hanak
(Totally Wired) and World Cup stud Ross Milan (Yeti / Fox) in
the gate. Hanak took the win while Milan’s ho-holds-barred approach placed him
firmly in second with Carter and Big House rounding out the podium. Joanna
Petterson (Iron Horse) and Bobbi Watt (Tough Girl/Contessa)
held strong for first and second in the pro women. Bill Te Selle (Orbit
Racing) notched the first-ever victory in the MSC’s all new vet pro class
while 16-year-old phenomenon Shawn Neer (Orbit Racing) took the win in
the semi-pro field. Sport and beginner racers were treated to a completely
separate course and gate on which to practice and compete on, prompting
one young competitor to remark “I’ve never had this much practice before! How am
I s’posed to have anything left for finals?”
photo provided by Devon Balet Photography
devonbaletphoto.com
Aaron who?
Dual slalom racers were stoked about a full day of practice on the buttery
smooth course with a record field qualifying to race. Newcomer Aaron Gwin
(Yeti Fox) proved that you only have to ride a mountain bike for three
months before getting to the top. Gwin worked his way through half of the Yeti
squad before meeting his mentor and reigning 4x National Champion, Rich “Big
House” Houseman in the finals. Gwin headed into the second heat with a .22
second advantage and lead throughout the second run earning the top place on the
podium. Gwin’s future looks bright and Yeti looks smart (lucky?) for signing
this kid whose potential seems to be relatively untapped. On the women’s side
Petterson worked her way through the field with a sniper’s ruthless mentality
earning herself a showdown with Lisa Myklak (Spyder/Black Market Bikes)
in the big final. Petterson showed why she’s a threat at the World Cup level by
powering away for a solid win in both of her heats.
Gwin Interview:
MSC: So you notched a big win. Was this what you were expecting after
making the long trip from California?
AG: It feels great to get the win, especially since this is only my second
gated race ever. (Ed: Gwin’s first gated race was the 2008 Sea Otter
Classic.) It was a little weird driving through the ranch, I mean you pass
all this old farm equipment, then all the old fencing…oh yeah, and all the old
campers! (laughs) I was expecting something pretty clapped out, but when we
actually got to the gated venue I was really, really surprised. The courses were
really, really good.
MSC: So you’re staying with Darner for a bit. What’s that been like?
AG: Ummm…’interesting?’ Is that the right word? Big House (Yeti/Fox
rider Rich Houseman) has been giving me a hard time telling me that when I
get back to San Diego all I’m going to do is make fun of him, drink whisky and
swear like a sailor. Darner’s a pretty interesting guy, but in a good way. We’re
going to be working on the courses a bit, hopefully to make them even
better.
MSC: And Mrs. Darner?
AG: (Laughing)…it’s not too hard to tell who the real jefe is at La Casa
Darner.
MSC: So what’s next?
AG: Well, Darner and I are going to ride a lot, then we’re headed down to
the next MSC race in Angel Fire. I’m after the UCI points there and hopefully a
stars and stripes jersey in the 4X. I’ve been racing in SoCal for the past few
months and have heard a lot about the 4X and DH courses down there. I’m pretty
excited to ride those big courses – from what I can tell, they’re the real
deal.
CHALK CREEK RESULTS (for complete results visit www.racemsc.com)
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Fox Racing Shox 4X presented by Santa Cruz - Pro
Men:
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1
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Total Wired Cyclery
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27.79
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2
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Yeti/Fox Racing Shox
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27.88
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3
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Mongoose
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28.28
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4
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Yeti
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28.58
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Fox Racing Shox 4X presented by Santa Cruz - Pro/Expert
Women:
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1
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32.61
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2
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Tough Girl / Contessa
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33.11
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3
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Team Totally Wired
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35.92
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4
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Turner
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37.5
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Fox Racing Shox Dual Slalom presented by Santa Cruz - Pro
Men:
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1
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Yeti Fox
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23.31
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2
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Yeti
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23.1
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3
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Bikeparts.com - Fox Shox
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23.47
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4
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Yeti/Fox Racing Shox
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23.66
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Fox Racing Shox Dual Slalom presented by Santa Cruz - Pro/Expert
Women:
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1
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26.35
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2
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Spider/Black Market/
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27.71
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3
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Team Totally Wired
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29.08
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4
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Turner
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30.08
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Chile Challenge
Preview
Next up on the tour? MSC #3, The Chile Challenge in Angel Fire, N.M. May
23-26 where there’s a lot at stake. “Chile” is part of USAC’s National Mountain
Bike Calendar for both XC and Gravity and will serve as an automatic world’s
team qualifier for both junior and pro gravity contenders. The DH and 4X are
both UCI C2 events, plus there’ll be an additional 4X for domestic pros only
that’ll serve as 4X National Championships. With 110 points going to both the
male and female winners for the national championship event, plus another 60 for
the inscripted races, Chile is the place to go to get points for international
competition. Chile’s 4X, Super-D and DH are also a part of the 2008 NMBS series.
For more info on everything Chile, from XC to DH, head to www.racemsc.com.
