Canada Cup DH Round 2 - Blue Mountain, Ontario

Southern Ontario's ski resorts faced a real lack of snow this past winter that left many wondering if they would get the chance to enjoy some powdery goodness at any point in 2016. This past weekend, the forecast was calling for hot and dry conditions all weekend long, perfect for slaying some pow'... as long as you didn't mind it being brown.

The Blue Mountain Bike Park's terrain surprised quite a few racers traveling in from both the east and west sides of the Ontario border with a challenging track that, come race day, was a slippery dust bowl. The course featured a mix of man-made rock gardens, a pedaling section, and tight steep turns that kept everyone on their toes. If the dust didn't get you, the poison ivy hanging just outside of the tape probably did. It was a wild one!




Devinci/Major Cycles pilot Phil Ricard is still recovering from blowing up his collar bone, however he was wasting no time putting together some sweet raw edits from the weekend!


The loose ground had riders tagging trees throughout the rack if they weren't careful. Carnage was in full effect.


Hugo Langevin's sled ready with the 001 plate. The Cycles Performance rider took the top spot in Mont Tremblant last month and is a favourite to win here, too.


The blue fencing almost couldn't keep up catching riders during practice.

BRING THE HEAT


Ironically the term 'once the dust settled' simply doesn't apply in this case. With no wind under the leaves, the dirt lingered in the air over every corner, reminding racers how easily is can swallow them up. Eyes, noses, and camera gear alike were all at risk.


Ontario's Jennifer Leblanc cutting through the cloud. She stood on the podium after Sunday's final.


Young Gun Skye Follas might be a Junior but her results have her competitors guessing. She was good enough for second place and remains in the points lead after two races!


Sarah Konefal (Laferté/Trou Du Diable) had one of the nastiest crashes of the weekend after the loose dirt had her fighting with a tree.


Audrée Vaillancourt (Kona/Trees/Sports aux Puces) navigating in the spotlight.


Monika Luebke in the switchbacks.


British Columbia's Nicole Sculsby left everyone in the dust so to speak. She looked totally unfazed in the soft corners and held the fast bits well, taking the well deserved win on Sunday!


Nicole Sculsby, Skye Follas, Jennifer Leblanc, Monika Luebke, and Audrée Vaillancourt for the Women's podium.


Loooooose!


Harry Head from BC, focused.


Julien Laramée scrubbing.


Dunbar Cycles' Sidney Slotegraaf rode smooth all weekend landing him a podium spot!


Adam Robbins (Eastern States Cup North America) came close to my lens but even closer to the top overall spot! First in Junior and fourth overall, the kid is on another level putting seconds on others in his category.


Bastien Major (Devinci/Major Cycles) diving into the sea of dust.


Liam Rourke full throttle. #CaseKing2RaceKing.



NS Bikes/Lama Cycles' Lucas Rey-Sierro blasting into the woods.


Norco's Josh Toohill eye wide open.


Ben Rioux making an appearance on the top five list in finals!


Sam Thibault (Devinci/Major Cycles) was one of the few riders that could have spoiled Hugo Langevin's day. Sam was only a second back in the timed runs on Saturday afternoon!


Hugo Langevin was cutting through the brown powder with ease. His practice laps resembled race runs and he had the focus to go with it. Sunday's win had him up by a good two seconds on this short track and right now, he's the man to beat going into the next Canada Cup out in Panorama, BC in a few weeks.


Hugo flying the Canada points leader jersey to another victory!



Hugo Langevin, Sam Thibault, Sidney Slotegraaf, Adam Robbins, and Benoit Rioux are your top 5 Men's ELite riders from the day.


The separate Junior Expert podium includes Adam Robbins, Liam Rourke, and Lucas Rey-Sierro.


Your Canada Cup points leaders, Skye Follas and Hugo Langevin.


FULL RESULTS HERE.

Cheers, Ontario. I guess you're not so flat after all...