Sea Otter isn't just about really cool products, that's just my favorite part each year it seems. There also happens to be a ton of riders there giving it their all at this season opener. Folks come from all over the world to compete and show off their newest sponsor kits and to be seen.
Here's a look at some of the racers (Steve Smith, Clair Buchar, Andrew Neethling, Ruardich Cunningham), riders (Andrew Cho, Dylan Korba), their bikes and of course more parts from everyone! Also check out the Dual Stunt and DH action!
Steve Smith is Canada's newest wonder child on a two wheeler and really stands a chance to shine on the World Cup circuit. This year he's being supported by Red Bull, Cove Bikes, SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, Oakley, Troy Lee Designs, Five Ten Shoes, Crank Brothers, Maxxis and Sun Ringle while he pursues his racing career. He won't be alone on this mission either as he's signed the infamous Frenchman Mathieu as his mechanic as well. The two will be attending WC and other high profile races this season and we at Pinkbike.com wish them the best of luck.
Mathieu and Steve
Steve and his steed
Another great Canadian company that was there with their riders is
Norco bikes from Coquitlam BC. Norco's riders are a funny gang and here is Mister Dylan Korba introducing his new Norco 5 to you:
Darcy and her hard tail
There was a lot of races going on all weekend, from full spandex road racing to DH race action, the Sea Otter covers it all. I personally enjoyed hanging out and watch the new Dual Stunt races go down. The format was simple-two identical courses side by side with two racers battling it out against each other. They would race each other twice to be fair, once on each course and then the racer with the highest time lead would move on to the next round.
Footage from practice and qualifying
In the end it was Kyle Strait that prevailed and took home the win in the first ever SRAM Dual Stunt competition at Sea Otter.
Lots of riders and racers were on hand with their sponsors to showcase their newest bits. Here's a look at what a few of them are up to:
John Sullivan of
Rotec Cycles and Jim Harvey of
Obtainium Performance Products were wandering around the pits with Sully's newest creation. The Prototype Suntour V-Boxx 9spd frame was a beauty and I really wanted to share it with you.
Some fellow Canadians (although from Quebec) were there to show the world their suspension offerings for rear shocks.
Elka Suspension are makers of high performance rear shocks for motorized applications like Motorbikes and racing Quads and they are now delving into the realm of mountain bike rear shocks. Dominick Menard is on board currently and helping with R&D on the DH race courses. I have my name down for an early production model too as I'm excited to feel how they perform.
Jordan wandered the DH Course and captured some video while the folks over at Virtual Descent got us a helmet cam of the whole course.
Random pics of Sweet parts:
Check back once more to see about the Product Launches from the windy Sea Otter 2008.
-Brule
