Mike Jones, The Racer's Edge - Mt. Tremblant, Goss is the Boss
Round 2 of our National DH series took place this past weekend at Mt. Tremblant Quebec. This has been a stop on the Canada Cup circuit for many years now and is regarded as one of the best courses by all the riders.Tremblant is a classic big mountain course, it has a bit of everything. There are steep technical sections, rock gardens strewn with soccer ball size rocks with no apparent line through them, fast wide open sections across ski runs, mud pits, deep holes, and slick off camber muddy rock faces with difficult corners leading into more rock gardens. This is a classic DH race course and a victory here is highly coveted.
The weather was a tease again and in the week leading into the race there was heavy rain making the course slick, treacherous and difficult. The weather did inprove however, but the rains had laid their mark and the track remained wet all weekend with some huge mud pits and slippery sections to up the ante just a little more.
Almost all of Canada’s big guns came out for this race. The men’s favourites were Mathieu Laurin, who was recently signed on with the top team of 2003, Iron Horse/Madcatz, other riders to watch were Geoff Pendrel DHRacer.com) who is a huge threat when it is wet and slippery, Kwana Sioui (DH Cyclo Sport/DHRacer.com), Brant Lyon (Giant Canada), Hugo Donais Norco Factory Team), and Eric Goss (Giant Canada). On the women’s side the favorites were Danika Schroeter (Giant Canada) who is the Queen right now, Deb Mackillop (Evolution Bikes), Janelle Cassidy (Cove Bikes/Roach), and Katrina Strand (Oakley). The Junior men’s race also had the Nation’s top rippers with Squamish boss Kyle Ritchie (Oakley/Kona/NRG) along with Drew Mitchell (Norco/Oak Bay Bikes) and Justin Brown (Primary). Absent this weekend were Dustin Adams, Jordie Lunn and Claire Buchard.
The Men’s race was very exciting. On a course that is over four minutes long there is a lot that can happen, it was good to see racing on a longer track as many races are becoming too short these days. I was the second rider to start in the 72 rider pro men’s field and managed to set the fastest time of the day at 4:30:41, a time that would hold until Eric Goss came down and ripped the track record to shreds with a time of 4:23.27! Mat Laurin came down in 3rd, just behind me with a time of 4:31:51.
Eric was overheard the day before the race talking about ripping a line with no brakes and then doing a blind air into a rock garden. I remember thinking to myself that he was full of it. Once we all saw his race time we knew that Eric is on his game this year and will be a tough guy to beat if he stays on form. When asked about his race Eric replied “It was a killer race, but I still have nothing on Crew Jones’ back flip at Hell Track”. (If you don’t understand this quote then you need to go out right now and rent the classic BMX movie “RAD”.)
The Junior men really stepped it up this weekend and Kyle Ritchie and Justin Brown look like they are going to really push each other this year. I did not have a chance to talk to Connor MacLeod (Cove Bikes/Sombrio), who placed 3rd, but he must be happy with his run as it was one of his best Canada Cup finishes to date. Drew Mitchell, had a front flat, and then slid out three times, but still managed to squeak into 4th spot.
The women’s race was predictable again as "Queen Danika" killed the competition buy beating 2nd place Deb Makillop by 9 seconds and 3rd place Janelle Cassidy by 15 seconds. Janelle is a relative newcomer to Canada Cup Level competition, but she has proven in the last 2 races that she is a woman to watch with back to back 3rd place results.
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Eric Goss spent his winter studying full time Mechanical Engineering in New Brunswick, he also managed to break a bone in his neck while riding his moto and had to spend some time recovering from that. He said that he is so excited to be on his bike right now that he can’t help but go fast.
Junior winner, Kyle Ritchie was almost disqualified by a power tripping race commissaire. Kyle had a flat tire in the morning and missed the mandatory practice by 15 minutes. The official told him he was out of the race and there would be no exceptions… what a thing to do to a 16 year old who just spent $700 on a flight to do a race!!!!! It took the wise judgement of the head official to allow Kyle entry into the race. A good decision as they almost DQ’d the winner.
I was pleased to come 2nd as I have still been a bit nervous on my bike after breaking my wrist last winter and spending nearly 3 months wired up in a cast. It was very good to get back in the game and I am thankful that my team has been patient during my recovery.
5th Place in the Men’s Pro Race Luke Kitzanuk is new to the scene this year after moving up from expert, but in the standings and on the course it looks like this guy can move.
Mike Jones, accomplished Norco Factory DH Team ripper brings you his race day reflections first hand in this series of articles, The Racer’s Edge, here on Pinkbike. Visit his bio on [L=http://www.norco.com/norcoteam/downhill/mikejones/profile.html]Norco’s Factory Team page[/L] or for a more up close look, visit his own website: www.mikejones.ca.
![photo]()
The weather was a tease again and in the week leading into the race there was heavy rain making the course slick, treacherous and difficult. The weather did inprove however, but the rains had laid their mark and the track remained wet all weekend with some huge mud pits and slippery sections to up the ante just a little more.
Almost all of Canada’s big guns came out for this race. The men’s favourites were Mathieu Laurin, who was recently signed on with the top team of 2003, Iron Horse/Madcatz, other riders to watch were Geoff Pendrel DHRacer.com) who is a huge threat when it is wet and slippery, Kwana Sioui (DH Cyclo Sport/DHRacer.com), Brant Lyon (Giant Canada), Hugo Donais Norco Factory Team), and Eric Goss (Giant Canada). On the women’s side the favorites were Danika Schroeter (Giant Canada) who is the Queen right now, Deb Mackillop (Evolution Bikes), Janelle Cassidy (Cove Bikes/Roach), and Katrina Strand (Oakley). The Junior men’s race also had the Nation’s top rippers with Squamish boss Kyle Ritchie (Oakley/Kona/NRG) along with Drew Mitchell (Norco/Oak Bay Bikes) and Justin Brown (Primary). Absent this weekend were Dustin Adams, Jordie Lunn and Claire Buchard.
The Men’s race was very exciting. On a course that is over four minutes long there is a lot that can happen, it was good to see racing on a longer track as many races are becoming too short these days. I was the second rider to start in the 72 rider pro men’s field and managed to set the fastest time of the day at 4:30:41, a time that would hold until Eric Goss came down and ripped the track record to shreds with a time of 4:23.27! Mat Laurin came down in 3rd, just behind me with a time of 4:31:51.
“It was a killer race, but I still have nothing on Crew Jones’ back flip at Hell Track” - Eric Goss
Eric was overheard the day before the race talking about ripping a line with no brakes and then doing a blind air into a rock garden. I remember thinking to myself that he was full of it. Once we all saw his race time we knew that Eric is on his game this year and will be a tough guy to beat if he stays on form. When asked about his race Eric replied “It was a killer race, but I still have nothing on Crew Jones’ back flip at Hell Track”. (If you don’t understand this quote then you need to go out right now and rent the classic BMX movie “RAD”.)
The Junior men really stepped it up this weekend and Kyle Ritchie and Justin Brown look like they are going to really push each other this year. I did not have a chance to talk to Connor MacLeod (Cove Bikes/Sombrio), who placed 3rd, but he must be happy with his run as it was one of his best Canada Cup finishes to date. Drew Mitchell, had a front flat, and then slid out three times, but still managed to squeak into 4th spot.
The women’s race was predictable again as "Queen Danika" killed the competition buy beating 2nd place Deb Makillop by 9 seconds and 3rd place Janelle Cassidy by 15 seconds. Janelle is a relative newcomer to Canada Cup Level competition, but she has proven in the last 2 races that she is a woman to watch with back to back 3rd place results.
Photo courtesy Darren Brien of Norco
Eric Goss spent his winter studying full time Mechanical Engineering in New Brunswick, he also managed to break a bone in his neck while riding his moto and had to spend some time recovering from that. He said that he is so excited to be on his bike right now that he can’t help but go fast.
Junior winner, Kyle Ritchie was almost disqualified by a power tripping race commissaire. Kyle had a flat tire in the morning and missed the mandatory practice by 15 minutes. The official told him he was out of the race and there would be no exceptions… what a thing to do to a 16 year old who just spent $700 on a flight to do a race!!!!! It took the wise judgement of the head official to allow Kyle entry into the race. A good decision as they almost DQ’d the winner.
I was pleased to come 2nd as I have still been a bit nervous on my bike after breaking my wrist last winter and spending nearly 3 months wired up in a cast. It was very good to get back in the game and I am thankful that my team has been patient during my recovery.
5th Place in the Men’s Pro Race Luke Kitzanuk is new to the scene this year after moving up from expert, but in the standings and on the course it looks like this guy can move.
Results:
Senior Elite Men
1. Eric Goss (Giant) 4:23
2. Michael Jones (Norco Factory Team) 4:30
3. Mathieu Lauren (Iron Horse/Madcatz) 4:31
4. Kwanah Sioui (DM Cyclo Sport, dhracer.com) 4:32
5. Luke Kitzanuk (Village Cycle Hudson, Giant) 4:32
6. Brant Lyon (Giant) 4:33
7. Stuart Cooper (PinkBike) 4:33
8. Hugo Donais (Norco Factory Team) 4:34
9. Geoff Pendrel (Devinci) 4:34
10. Stephane Mailot (DM Cyclo Sport Hudson, dhracer.com) 4:36
Senior Elite Women
1. Danika Schroeter (Giant) 5:30
2. Deb Mackillop (Evilution Bikes) 5:39
3. Jenelle Cassidy (Cove Bikes/Sombrio) 5:45
4. Katrina Strand (Oakley) 5:57
5. Caroline Milot 6:40
6. Michelle Waechter 6:32
7. Lisa-Marie Lacriox 6:38
8. Lisa McInnis 6:45
9. Mylene-Kim Fortier 6:51
10. Josee Tremblay 6:55
Junior Expert Men
1. Kyle Ritchey (Oakley/Kona/NRG) 4:38
2. Justin Brown (Primary) 4:39
3. Connor MacLeod (Cove Bikes/Sombrio) 4:49
4. Drew Mitchell, (Norco/Oak Bay Bikes) 4:55
5. Derek Cowell (Cycle Path) 4:58
6. Hugo Chagnon (GVS) 5:01
7. Samuel Lagrange 5:01
8. Guillaume Soucy-Alarie (Privateer Racing) 5:03
9. Francis Paquet (GVS) 5:06
10. Steve Vezina 5:14
Mike Jones, accomplished Norco Factory DH Team ripper brings you his race day reflections first hand in this series of articles, The Racer’s Edge, here on Pinkbike. Visit his bio on [L=http://www.norco.com/norcoteam/downhill/mikejones/profile.html]Norco’s Factory Team page[/L] or for a more up close look, visit his own website: www.mikejones.ca.
Author Info:
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
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