2015 Dunbar Summer Series - Silver Star BC Cup DH Race Recap

The first round of the Dunbar Summer Series kicked off this past weekend at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon BC. One year on the opening scene was the same as the previous year, Kelowna was battling a newly started wildfire right outside the city limits with hot and humid temperatures meant the air con of the car was our best friend for the trip there. Fortunately the elevation of the resort meant things were cooler for the racers over the weekend, but unlike last year we were certain that the rain and wind weren't going to give us any surprises come Saturday morning.

Jason Louden was on hand to keep everyone's bikes in shape

Tristan Merrick rocking the mic this weekend

The course, simple, Dags Downhill top to bottom. Line choice, not so simple, Saturday morning practice meant riders spent plenty of time off their bikes as well as on.

The top section was full of tricky rocks and as the day went on with the dry and loose conditions things kept changing shape, meaning it didn't always go quite to plan.

By the end of the day on Saturday it was time for the racers to let off some steam and partake in the Whip Off to win a Troy Lee Designs' D3 Helmet.

Dean Tennant

Ben Porteous

Bas van Steenbergen

Isaac Marangoni

Your winner and crowd favourite stealing it from the pro's, 14 year old Tharen Markel from Sidney BC. Tharen went on to take his category win on Sunday as well.

The sun was still shinning bright on race day as the spectators took their positions. For some racers though the track had taken its toll on them during practice and they were forced to merely spectate from the sidelines, but made the most of it regardless.

Dannielle Jennifer showing this rocky chute who's boss, taking the win in UCI Master Women

Blake Bunting enroute to a win in U17 Expert Men

Piper Allman a stand alone competitor in UCI U15 Women

Mitchell Bryan Open Men 17-29 (one of the 5 finalists in Saturday night's Whip Off) shown shortly before doing a great job of helping the course marshalls take the course tape down mid race run.

Once clear of the more technical upper section the flow of the trees and open sections meant it was time to relax a bit more.

The whoops section shortly before the finish line, despite being improved from last year still caused some big spills for those who hit them at race pace for the first time this weekend.

It wasn't Kovarik's weekend either, Chris suffered a flat in both his seeding run on Saturday and his race run Sunday. Claire however sporting the number one plate this weekend lived up to it by taking the win in Elite Women.

Taking the surprise win to the local crowd in Elite Men was Phillip Kmetz all the way from Keene, New Hampshire, (even with a mechanical).

An Intense Tracer 275 Frame was up for grabs along with Neck Braces from Atlas, Troy Lee Designs D3 Helmet and a Race Face Tailgate pad as part of raffle draw, with all proceeds going to the Love for Lola Fund, read her incredible story HERE.

Presented with watches from Momentum for Fastest "Non Elite" times this weekend were Max Sharf (who also had the fastest time of the day with 2:47:70) and Stephanie Denroche