The Final BC Cup - Fernie
The first BC Cup to be held at Fernie Alpine Resort marked the best track yet and last race of the season.
The BC Cup season ended on Sunday with the best race course of the summer at Fernie Alpine Resort; loose steep sections, wide open road gaps, tight trees and flat grassy corners. We spent Saturday evening at the 16" World Champ Dual Slalom which, post a major mechanical, became a big bike race, hanging out while the sun set and cheering for everyone who went by. Race day saw carnage on the steep sections with racers surfing their way down, many not only without their bikes, but on their faces. Well placed volunteers kept the section lively and spectators in the game with proper cowbell etiquette and well timed encouragement. After surviving that section the course alternated between wide open and tight in the trees, but the steeps were done until a fade-away wooded drop at the finish line.
The course was often compared to World Cup standards and while none of us wanted the series or the summer to be over, it was good to go out all smiles and hi-fives. The pagans had the solstice to mark the end of the seasons, we have the last BC Cup. There are many people we will not see again until the first races in the spring and many party nights and photos we wish will be forgotten before then.
The BC Cups, and specifically the Legendary Summer Series brought to us by SE Racing with Dunbar Cycles, have built a reputation and a solid place in our summer calendar each year. Here's to counting down the days until the 2014 dates are released.
After a major mechanical the 16" World Champs Dual Slalom became a big bike race.
Dean Tennant takes a practice lap on the dual slalom course on a 16" bike.
Toben Sepncer-Lang beats Dustin Tumbach out of the gate.
Bernie Jacques had the early lead on Tara Mowatt, but lost it near the end.
A little subliminal messaging brought to you by our spectators.
Dean Tennant took first place (and Brett Tippie's heart) at the Dual Slalom on Saturday night, with Rhys Verner in Second and Colin Yarrow in third.
Tippie hands out prizes for the sexiest legs at the racer's meeting post Dual Slalom.
More carnage for more prizes.
Show your photographer some love and you will look faster in photos.
Magnus Manson picks from a plethora of soft dirt lines at the top of the course.
The top of the course was loose and steep, a lot of bikes decided to toss their riders and go it alone.
Just taking a little rest.
After surviving the dirt surfing in the trees it was all blue skies and road gaps in the the open.
Vincent De Melo tackles the flat grass corners in between forrest sections.
Rhys Verner took the fastest time through the speed trap with a 63.7km/hr, beating everyone including the pro field.
Cam Porteous tries a loose alternate line.
Chris Kovarik won the race and the overall in the Legendary Summer Series.
Even after surviving the gnarly top of the course, there were still challenges to be had.
Nick Grimm took 3rd in the Elite Men.
Jaide Foster, racing for Bicycle Cafe Kamloops, hucks the wooden fade away at the finish line.
Jack Almond, riding for C4 Racing, won the U17 Expert Men Category.
Chris Kovarik and Claire Buchar won the overall for the Legendary Summer Series which included Silver Star, Golden and Fernie. After breaking three ribs Claire completed her mandatory practice laps and race run!
The Elite Women's and Men's podiums, champagne showers for all.
Elite Men:
Chris Kovarik
Dean Tennant
Nick Grimm
Dan Simms
Luke Stevens
Elite Women:
Bernadine Jacques
Tara Mowatt
Veronika Voracek
Claire Buchar
For complete results stay tuned to Cycling BC.
This kid was kind of over it, but the rest of us had a hard time letting go of the race season.
That must hurt for the rider!!