With the opening of Coast Gravity Park approaching on Saturday, May 10th, riders had another reason to travel over to the Sunshine Coast of B.C. The annual DH race, the Sunshine Coaster was this past Sunday on the reputable trail Mach Chicken, located in Roberts Creek. Saturday brought a range of vicious to light rainfall for practice laps and course walks. That night mud flaps and tear offs were strapped on for preparation of the expected down pour on race day. Fortunately the rain ended its vitality just before practice on Sunday morning. Half way through practice sunlight beamed through the trees and clouds, giving the course a tacky condition. The course put a smile on everyone's face and a cheerful vibe was shared throughout the whole event. The race is growing every year and will always be a pleasure to attend. Here are some shots from the event.
Cove Bikes' and Devinci Cycles' tents set up in the morning. The first layer of mud on bikes during practice.
Brodie the dog with a smile on his face at the Cove Bikes' tent. People having a good time at the Pinkbike tent.
Henry Fitzgerald and
Nic Rodgers hanging at the Dunbar Cycles tent discussing course lines. Fresh Devinci Troys at the Devinci Cycles' tent.
Trevor Thew at the start gate focused on his lines during practice.
Dexter Robson on one of the new jumps on course.
Burgers and dogs grilling up for riders.
Signs for Coast Gravity Park were up around the course.
Henry Fitzgerald boosting the first jump on course with his new Kona Carbon Operator. Henry came 3rd in Junior (17-18 ) Men, riding for Cycling BC.
Jacob Howitt and
Adam Woodhouse going smooth and fast through the clear cut section of the track.
Georgia Astle going fast through the berm section.
Sean Fincham sprinting to the finish line.
Rob Davis rider hoping berm to berm.
Loud cheers from the sidelines.
Jennifer McTavish boosting through the step-down.
Chris August sprinting through a fast section.
Forrest Riesco getting stylish on his new, neon orange Banshee Legend frame. Forrest came 2nd in Pro Elite Men.
Brendan Gauthier on the new diversion of the course. Brendan is riding for Cove Bikes.
Jacob Stefiuk pedalling through the berms to 2nd place in U17 (15-16) Men. Jacob is riding for Cove Bikes.
Blake Bunting going through the new re-route on the course. Blake managed to get 4th in U17 (15-16) Men and is riding for C4 Rider Training.
Jack Almond going through the tech section of the course. Jack managed to get 1st place in Junior (17-18 ) Men, riding for C4 Rider Training and Cycling BC.
Magnus Manson flying down the course. Magnus just turned 16 and came 1st in Pro Elite Men. He is riding for Dunbar Cycles.
Master (30-39) Women1st Leanne Tompkins
2nd Megan Chadwick
3rd Lalena Desautels
Senior (19-29) Women1st Katherine Short
2nd Laurie Citynski
3rd Jenny Strong
Master (30-39) Men1st Ken Parras
2nd Ewan Fafard
3rd Rob Davis
Master (40-49) Men1st Dave Pfaffenberger
2nd Jean-Francois Des Lauriers
3rd Colin Yarrow
Master (50+) Men1st Todd Earnshaw
2nd Michael Mooney
3rd Derek Diedricksen
U15 (13-14) Men1st Evan Robinson
2nd Grayden Whelan
3rd Tyler Muryn
Junior (17-18 ) Men1st Jack Almond
2nd Daniel Shaw
3rd Henry Fitzgerald
Pro Elite Men1st Magnus Manson
2nd Forrest Riesco
3rd Robert Venables
4th Bryden Rigets
5th Mitch Forbes
Full Results Here.All photos by Shore To Shore MediaSpecial Thanks To:www.outdooradventurestore.ca/www.offtheedge.org/www.spincyclesbikestore.com/www.norco.com/www.cyclingbc.net/www.thecedarsinn.com/www.supervalu.com/www.covebike.com/www.harbourair.com/www.sunshineccu.com/Personal/www.townsitebrewing.com/www.bcbikerace.com/www.upthecreek.ca/www.straitcoffee.ca/www.pelagic.ca/