USA MTB Grand Prix: Highland Bike Park, NH

This past weekend saw Highland Mountain Bike Park in New Hampshire play host to the third round of the MTB Grand Prix. With two back to back rounds of World Cups at Mont Sainte Anne and Windham having wrapped up the previous weekend, and US National Champs just two weeks away, there was no shortage of talent in the Pro ranks.

Dennis Dertell of Sweden is racing in North America as part of Martin Whiteley's 23 Degrees program

Former US National Champ, Cody Warren

Highland maybe better know as a freeride destination, but they have a history of holding DH races for as long as they have been open and know how to build a track to suite some of the best riders in the world. Though not very tall or very long, the track threw challenges at riders in the form of high speeds, loose corners and what seemed like never ending rock sections. More than a few top riders had some big crashes over the course of the weekend and many a rider could be seen limping bikes with flat tires back to the pits.


Though still a Junior, Logan Mulally has been mixing it up in the Elite ranks all season.

Another fast Junior rider making a mark in the Pro ranks is Austin Warren.

Keeping with what seems to be a new tradition on the East Coast this year, the race weekend unfolded under sunny skies and hot temps and the usual mud was nowhere to be seen. While these sort of conditions kept the rocks and roots grippy it made the dirt on the track quite slippery in spots, and even with all that sun the dense New Hampshire forest stayed extremely dark. What light did come through made it difficult for riders to pick out their lines through the sharp, sniper rocks at speed.

Max Morgan

Whether DH or Freeride, George Ryan can hold it down with the best.



Brad Benedict was fast in practice, but would end his weekend just 0.5 off the podium in 6th after blowing up a pedal on a rock in the first woods.



After two days of practice racing got under way Sunday morning with seeding runs. Neko Mulally and Jackie Harmony layed down the fastest times to set the stage for the afternoon's Final.

Neko sets the mark for the rest of the Pro Men.

The junior Men were the first order of business in the afternoon, and Cody Kelley of Specialized took the top step of the podium.

For the Women, Jackie Harmony backed up her strong qualifier and took the win over Joanna Petterson and Katie Holden.

Jackie Harmony, 1st place Pro Women

Dennis Dertel's extended stay in the US payed off and he set one of the early fast times that would land him in 5th in the finals.

Specialized rider, Curtis Keene has been racing a lot of Enduros lately and his fitness definitely showed as he powered a flat tire down the bottom part of the course for 4th place.

The Warren Brothers are always a threat and this weekend it was Cody's turn to shine. 3rd place for the DRD Intense rider, just 3 tenths behind eventual 2nd place finisher Brian Buel.

Justin Leov, after qualifying 5th came down with a scorcher of a run with a time of 2.06.78 and was still in the hot seat with only his teammate Neko Mulally left on the hill. Unfortunately for Neko a crash in the first woods ended his chances and Leov capitalized to take his second MTB Grand Prix victory in a row.

Pro Women's Podium
1. Jackie Harmony, Culture of Speed: 2.31.41
2. Joanna Petterson, Maxxis/Specialized: 2.32.95
3. Katie Holden, Specialized/SRAM: 2.38.56
4. Karen Eagan: 2.48.59
5. Kate Parhiala, Wachusett Brewing: 2.48.62

Pro Men's Poduim
1. Justin Leov, Trek World Racing: 2.06.78
2. Brian Buel, Geronimo/Banshee: 2.07.85
3. Cody Warren, DRD Intense: 2.08.19
4. Curtis Kenne, Specialized USA: 2.09..13
5. Dennis Dertell, Trek/23 Degrees: 2.09.55

With the racing done, many riders took advantage of some of the features that make Highland Bike Park such a unique race venue. Where else can you finish your race run and then practice flips and whips into a giant air bag, or grab the hardtail out of the trailer to session a perfectly built dirt jump park. Highland truly does have it all covered.

Jason Memmelaar learning to flip his DH bike.

Austin Warren got a flat in his final run, but after a few fun laps through the dirt jumps all was forgotten.



Mitch Ropelato may have had a disappointing race run, but his whips left everyone in envy.


The MTB Grand Prix takes a month off and will conclude with the final round at Steven's Pass, WA on Aug. 4-5

Keep an eye on Highland Mountainbike Park when the FMB World Tour comes to town July 21-22 for the annual Claymore Challenge.