Rennie is runner up at the US OPEN of Mountain Biking

Diablo Freeride Mountain Bike Park in Vernon New Jersey hosted the US Open of Mountain Biking downhill race on Memorial weekend May 29-30th. Syndicate racers, Nathan Rennie and Henry O'Donnell flew out to the event to grab their share of the $20,000 purse, which was put up by Diablo Freeride Mountain Bike Park. Rennie scooped up $2,500.00 with a second place finish behind Sam Hill.Shawn Orrechio, the race promoter, had the racers stoked as he delivered a race with amenities that were reminiscent of great races of years past. Imagine this: prize money, free lunch and a leader board! They even had their own devil mascot who went through the pits bringing start lists to everyone. The atmosphere was relaxed; the venue was easily accessible, placed on a small ski resort nestled in the hills. Pit talk overheard, “This race is awesome”, “I’m having a great time”, and “We’re really going to be pinning it. With $5,000.00 on the line for first place, I’m going for it! Even 4th place gets $500.00!”

The racecourse delivered a great response, as well. Called “a true race course”, it had everything and would definitely produce the best all round rider to the top of the podium. The course had high-speed sections, technical rocky parts, berms to rail through the trees and open, grassy slopes. Rennie and O’Donnell rode their Santa Cruz V-10’s with Intense Tire Systems DH 2.50 on the front and rear. Sram/Rock Shox’s John Dawson dialed in the Boxxer forks and Syndicate mechanic, Mathieu Dupelle, had the guy’s bikes in top order.


Preliminary weather reports forecast rain for the weekend. With day one of practice in the bag, the skies opened up and pissed rain in a lightning and thunderstorm, Lasting about an hour, the rain only enhanced the ground condition for qualifier day. The moisture improved the dry, slippery bits on the rocks, giving a better bite through the rock sections than the day before. Welcoming back Chris Kovarik to international competition were his compatriots in qualifier result order top to bottom:

Sam Hill 2:50.76

Mick Hannah 2:52:72

Nathan Rennie 2:55.04,

Chris Kovarik 2:55:251

John Kirkaldie 2: 56:34

Justin Havukainen: 2:56:884.

Aaron Chase was fastest American in 7th at 2:59:14, and Henry O’Donnell was 13th at 3:02:95. The day ends with the clouds brewing into another threatening thunderstorm.

After raining much of the evening, the sun was shining with a few clouds in the sky for race day. Who couldn’t like the 11:00 am practice time? The Amateur races started and they were giving it their all for the grand prize of a brand new Iron Horse downhill bike. The pro’s kept warmed up having a blast riding the many fun trails the park has to offer.

As pro racing got under way, the show was going to be the Aussie’s dominance. With five Australian’s in attendance, Rennie proved his mettle with a second place final position, with Hill prevailing. Rennie jokes, “He’s been coming here for 2 years. Four more runs and I would’ve kicked his @%&!!”


The rest of the Aussie contingent did their part to put down sick runs and history was made. Every one of them podiums, an all time first outside of Australia! Hill: 2:48:50, and Rennie 2:50:90, top the blocks with Chris Kovarik, making his comeback to American racing memorable, in third at 2:51:77. Just on his heels was Mick Hannah at 2:52:00, and rounding out the top five was Justin Havekanein at 2:54:09.

O’Donnell finished 15th in the final. He says, “I tried too hard and had a sketchy run. It wasn’t smooth.”


Needless to say, every racer had a blast at this race and will come back next year!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NATHAN RENNIE AND KIRT VOREIS!!

They share the same birthday, May 31st!!

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