Video: POC ESC New England DH at Jiminy Peak

Oct 7, 2014 at 10:46
by Eastern States Cup  
Views: 2,091    Faves: 5    Comments: 0


Eastern States Cup Images

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
East coast racers converged on the Berkshires in western Massachusetts last weekend for the seventh stop on the ESC New England DH Cup USAC Regional Championship Series. Hosted by Jiminy Peak, the event was also the Massachusetts Downhill State Championship. Close to 100 racers took to the hill for the longest track of the season. Peak foliage and wildly fluctuating weather kept everyone entertained.


FULL RESULTS HERE


2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
After a calm week, a cold front moved through the region on Saturday, bringing with it a steady drizzle and occasional heavier downpours.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
What had been a firm and fast course quickly became a rutted mud bog, especially in some of the freshly-dug sections.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A little rain and slop never grounds a mountain biker. Current New England Cup DH pro points leader Alex McAndrew found enough speed in the muck to air out a feature low on the course.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Rain suits and spiked tires were the rule for Saturday's practice. Pro rider Dylan Conte wasn't the only racer employing the foot dab technique to hold a line on the greasy traverses.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Flatline Racing expert Josh Tidman used the spacious high-speed lift to stretch his sore quad after an encounter with a tree.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Western Massachusetts resident Sean Suprenant was one of a handful of racers who stuck it out to the bitter end on Saturday.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Visibility was perhaps the biggest issue during practice with no clear solution to the mix of rain and mud. Not sure if the goggle-free option used by Jacob Debrusk was a good call or not, but he looks pretty happy.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The muddy ribbon of track after a day of practice.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Every square inch of bike surface was coated with mud after a day lapping the course.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Not surprisingly, the bike wash station was a popular spot at the end of the day. Instead of waiting in line, Yeti Cycles pro Jason Memmelaar turned a nearby stream chocolatey while washing his kit.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Many racers would be riding in soggy shoes on Sunday as it can take days to dry out bike shoes.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
SUPERFAST hoses down Roberto Bonemetti.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
What a difference a day makes. Sunday dawned clear and cold with autumnal colors gleaming above the Jiminy Peak base village.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
With early temperatures in the upper 30s, many racers lingered over another cup of coffee before hitting the mountain.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The warm October sun soon brought things back to life.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
This year's track featured a completely different top half from the one used last year.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The course started with a high speed sprint in the open down an open slope. S&W Sports Junior X racer Cole Mitchie is back on form as he pinned it to a second place finish on the day.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
After the speedy opening, racers dive into the woods. Oliver Racing Junior X rider Aidan Casner launches off a rock drop into the tight single track.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Marzocchi pro Dan O'Connor rips through the fast and rooty upper woods section.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Flatline Racing expert Jordan Daigle threads it through the trees. Daigle burned up the course for his third win of the season.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Oliver Racing pro Steve Avery opens up the throttle in the woods. Avery maintained his second-place ranking in the overall points standing.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The track dips in and out of the woods for its entire length, passing a wind turbine high on the mountain's western shoulder.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Back into the woods after passing the turbine, this tight section featured some tricky maneuvering with slick roots taking down numerous riders.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
This steep exit from the woods was probably the most intimidating feature on the track. A gloppy G-out at the bottom of the drop sent several racers off course into the grass.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
No time to enjoy the spectacular fall scenery.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Back in the woods, a freshly-cut line was slow going if racers lost their momentum.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
In his first race back from a broken ankle, Vermont pro Jordan Newth jumped out of the muddy rut for a higher line and was able to maintain his third-place spot in the overall rankings.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A tricky new section of track featured a fast drop to flat followed quickly by a blind fall away left hander. Drummer Racing pro Oliver Levick get his weight back on the first drop.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
POC pro Adam Morse levitates over the left hander. Morse finished fourth in the pro field, his fourth time in that position this season.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The track then shoots straight down the mountainside, one of the few times it wasn't traversing in this middle section. Newport Cycles pro Dan Goddard rockets down the fall line.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Pro rider Matt Callahan gets back into traverse mode as he blends in with his cammo outerwear.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The track finally joins with the lower sections of last-year's course. A wooden jump into the woods fell out of favor with racers as a faster line developed next to it. Despite the raucous urgings of spectators yelling "Hit the jump! Hit the jump!", most racers skipped the air option, but S&W Junior X rider Roberto Bonometti launched a crowd pleaser.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
There was a good turn out for the amateur women, but local Mary Elges was the only pro woman on course this weekend. Her victory moved her into second place in the $1000 DP Brakes Women's Challenge behind Felicia Reale who sits in the top spot with one race remaining.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A couple berms kept racers on their toes as speeds picked up through the woods. Xprezo Bikes pro Dylan Conte raced to a fifth place finish on the day.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A right hand berm set racers up for a fast exit into the open. Speed Legion Cat 1 rider Alex Makarski exhibits perfect form.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Leaving the woods, racers jumped over some snowmaking pipes then had a sharp left hand corner to deal with before a long fall-away traverse. Billy Goat Bikes pro Max Morgan, who has raced three World Cup events and the World Championships this summer, did a number on the ESC regulars taking the win by more than seven seconds.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Another fast traverse through the woods had racers approaching light speed. Flatline Racing expert Josh Tidman displayed his usual conservative riding style as he passed ESC videographer Jason Scheiding.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
One final ski trail traverse completed the racers' journey from the west side of the mountain to the east side.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A woods exit set riders up for for a wooden step down. Cat 2 rider Zach Ritenour displays some style off the feature.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
A pedally road section led racers to the final woods section before the finish. After four or five minutes on course, the sound of heavy breathing was nearly as loud as mud-caked suspensions during the final sprint. After racing out west the last two seasons, Jeremy Martin still looked pretty fresh during his first ESC race of the season.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Trail builders incorporated numerous little kickers through this final woods section. Salvatore Fruciano, part of the big 19-rider strong Cat 2/3 19-29 class, airs it out.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
With the finish nearly in sight, Cody Roy, Cat 2 under 14 winner, leaps into the final steep pitch on the track.


2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Sheryl Senczaliewicz, winner of the amateur women's category, drops out of the woods onto the final road sprint to the finish line.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
After the final rider had crossed the line, racers had some time to enjoy the perfect fall day. Some, including the Drummer Racing crew, headed back up the hill for some free riding.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Others, including some enduro regulars, kicked back in the pits.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
The Junior Xers passed the time with their usual shenanigans.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Some quality gear, medals and checks were awarded on the folksy hay bale podiums. The men's pro podium from left: Adam Morse, 4th, Jason Memmelaar, 3rd, Max Morgan, 1st, Brian Scolforo, 2nd, Dylan Conte, 5th.

2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Thanks to Jiminy Peak for putting on another well-run and entertaining race for the Eastern States Cup series.


2014 Eastern States Cup downhill at Jiminy Peak
Up next is Plattekill Mountain, October 11-12, with double points on the line in the Series Championship Finals for both the Atlantic and New England Cups. Bring your A Game!

POC Eastern States Cup DH Two to Go and Three for the Money

REMAINING 2014 POC ESC DH EVENTS:

Oct 12 - Plattekill NY - New England and Atlantic Regional DH Championship Series Finals

2014 POC ESC USAC East Coast Super Championships:
Oct 19 - Mountain Creek NJ - USAC East Coast Regional DH Championships

Text and photos by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

Eastern States Cup Round 1 2014.


Author Info:
Eastern-States-Cup avatar

Member since Mar 14, 2012
238 articles

10 Comments
  • 10 0
 this video has the slowest slow motion I've ever seen
  • 3 0
 Must be a flip book Wink
  • 7 0
 VOD!!! 0:03 is sick!
  • 5 0
 cool video
  • 6 1
 ...where's the video...
  • 2 0
 Never had a race weekend better than this one! Jiminy and the ESC did not disappoint!
  • 1 0
 Here's the video link. It will be added on the blog shortly. Sorry about that !
www.pinkbike.com/video/381781
  • 2 0
 Not gonna lie Jiminy Peak is a really fun place to ride!
  • 2 0
 I felt like each picture was it's own video! Great pics!
  • 1 3
 Did they have to excavate rocks to get the track that smooth? Wow!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.155389
Mobile Version of Website