While some on the World Cup chase have been below the hemisphere having some fun on the other side of the world in their off season, Neko Mulally and some of the best the east coast have been spending the past four weeks between the two states of Tennessee and North Carolina. Rewind three weeks ago; round one of the Downhill Southeast saw Luca Shaw (Pro Men) and Frida Helena Ronning (Open Women) stand on top of the podium at Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, TN. Week two, a break. Week three, we went back to the Volunteer state to Windrock Park where the Norwegians would sweep both top spots, with Isak Leivsson (Pro Men) and Frida Helena Ronning (Open Women). They each had a superb day in the mud taking gold. Week four, the series finale would take place 'local' to Neko (and most everyone else) just north of Asheville in Mars Hill, NC. Would the Europeans beat the locals on their own turf or would the Hendersonville resident (Luca Shaw) again find the edge he used at TTC to close out the series on top?
Juniors 12U:1. Ben Ritcher 00:02:29.311
2. Chris Grice 00:02:48.062
3. Nicholas Wildrick 00:02:58.415
4. Sam Kahn 00:03:00.055
5. Ethen Heck 00:03:17.464
Women Open:1. Frida Helena Ronning 00:02:27.000
2. Angela Palermo 00:02:30.623
3. Caroline Washam 00:02:32.449
4. Megan Hutton 00:03:19.250
5. Abby Hobbs 00:03:28.846
Amateur Men:1. Jeff Hartsough 00:02:04.524
2. Seth Kemp 00:02:06.946
3. Black Stephenson 00:02:20.518
4. Will Murray (aka The Biggest Loser) 00:02:22.976
5. Joey Jackson 00:02:24.169
Pro Men:1. Luca Shaw / SRAM TLD Racing/Santa Cruz 00:01:55.637
2. Dakotah Norton / Morpheus 00:01:56.304
3. Neko Mulally / Gstaad Scott/Fox 00:01:56.980
4. Max Morgan / Worldwide Cyclery/Blue Sky Performance/Santa Cruz 00:01:58.991
5. Charlie Harrison / Trek Test Team Racing 00:02:01.002
The Beer is on Luca.... wait, he's not even old enough to drink yet. Going into the last race Isak Leivsson was at the top of the leader board after two races, but suffered AC shoulder separation just before the weekend. With Isak out, Luca was able to wrap it up and had a nice pay day by taking the overall three race series. Congrats Luca! Luca Shaw - SRAM TLD Racing/Santa Cruz - 66 pts, Neko Mulally - Gstaad Scott Fox - 60 pts, Dakotah Norton - Morpheus - 44 points.
Round 3 Full Results HereOverall Series Results HereNow for the Thanks. We have to give huge props to Neko and his closet companions for conceiving, planning, promoting, and executing this series. Right out of the gate everything really was just about perfect. Sure everything has its hang ups and unforeseen issues, but if you measure it by how many of those issues didn't happen, they knocked it out of the park. Thanks to each of the venues and each of those unsung heroes with ordinary names that made it happen behind the scenes. No doubt we'll leave someone out, but Thank You Logan Mullally, Carolyn (Mom) Mullally, Jamie Wilson, Pisgah Productions, Troy Roberts (TTC), Sean Leader (Windrock), Guy and Jennifer Miller (Bailey Mtn), all the sponsors listed below, everyone else that had a hand in the series that I don't have room to mention and most importantly EACH OF THE RIDERS for coming out and laying down the laps! A note to those out there, these were LEGIT Downhill tracks and if you currently run or plan on running a series, I'd be willing to bet if you ask anyone that was there, this is a model to follow. Neko mentioned the series will be back, so if you were on the fence about coming and missed out, climb on down off that fence and pencil this series into your schedule. Total blast!
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