Details Announced for 2019 US Open of Mountain Biking

Apr 17, 2019
by Fox Head  
Neko Mulally on his way to the win at the 2018 Fox US Open
Neko Mulally on his way to winning the 2018 Fox US Open Downhill

PRESS RELEASE: Fox US Open of Mountain Biking

The Fox US Open of Mountain Biking has announced the 2019 race event will be hosted at Snow Summit Resort in Big Bear Lake, CA on September 12-15th. The event has been held on the east coast since its inception in 2003, and 2019 marks a new chapter in US Open history as it takes place on the West Coast for the first time. Fans and racers can expect the same thrilling open class downhill racing and new for this year, the Fox US Open will also be the final stop of the EWS North American Enduro Series.

bigquotesWe're really looking forward to hosting the Fox US Open on the west coast for the first time in our 16 year history! Not only is Big Bear Lake a beautiful location, the town has deep roots in MTB racing. Snow Summit is investing in their bike park and we like their long-term vision. And they know how to throw a good party, so we're feeling right at home!—Clay Harper, Event Director, Fox US Open

Snow Summit played host to some infamous NORBA Nationals back in the 1990’s and more recently they have been turning heads with their Crafts and Cranks event that draws thousands out to Big Bear Lake every summer. The terrain is classic Southern California, featuring fast and loose trails with plenty of sunshine and great views of the lake.

bigquotesSnow Summit Bike Park and the entire community of Big Bear Lake are excited to welcome the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking. Summit, similar to the Open, is built around fun on bikes along with sharing similar values to our everyday operations here in the bike park. Both Summit and the Open have a long history with mountain biking, and we are looking forward to the partnership and its future.—Clayton Shoemaker, Marketing Director, Big Bear Mountain Resort

The view from Snow Summit Bike Park is always good
The view from Snow Summit Bike Park is always good

The Fox US Open gives up-and-coming racers the chance to step up and race against the pro’s in the Open class downhill event. Event organizers are once again looking to up the ante with a $10,000 first place prize. As always, the amateur classes will compete for bragging rights and awesome prizes. Young racers will have their shot in the USO’s quickly growing Next Gen Youth Downhill event. With age categories for intermediate and expert racers under 15 years old, this event gives kids a real racing opportunity on a separate track.

bigquotesI love racing here in the US and I’m stoked to race the USO in Southern California this year. It’ll be a really fun way to finish the season and go for the big check!—Dakotah Norton, Downhill Racer, Unior Devinci Racing

A very nice payday indeed for Vaea Verbeeck
Vaea Verbeeck with the big check in 2018

As the final race of the EWS North American Series and a new stop on the California Enduro Series (CES) schedule, Fox US Open organizers are looking to expand their commitment to enduro racing.

bigquotesWe’re really excited to add the Fox US Open to the North American Series calendar. This event is one of the true icons of mountain biking in the US and I can’t think of a better way to finish the season.—Chris Ball, Managing Director of the Enduro World Series

Rachel Strait 2018 Fox US Open Enduro
Rachel Strait mid-stage at the 2018 Fox US Open Enduro

Fox is once again joined by an impressive list of event partners including Vittoria Tires, GT Bicycles, Flat Tire Defender, Clif Bar, Horizon Hobby, MOS Gear and more. The USO team will tap local experts Team Big Bear and the CES for additional event logistics. Beyond the Downhill and Enduro, the 2019 event will also feature a USO Best Whip Comp, adaptive downhill racing and a classic dual slalom. Snow Summit used to hold some epic grass slalom races and there’s a rumor that we could see a throwback slalom course.

More event information and athlete registration details coming soon on usopen.bike.

Follow us at: - instagram.com/foxusopenmtb
facebook.com/foxusopenofmountainbiking

Fox US Open Logo

MENTIONS: @Fox-Head-Inc


Posted In:
Press Releases


Author Info:
Fox-Head-Inc avatar

Member since Jan 17, 2012
55 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Greg Minnaar Off Santa Cruz & Reportedly on Norco for 2024
88900 views
Review: 2023 Transition Smuggler - The Little Ripper
60210 views
ARC8's Prototype Downhill Bike Uses a Sliding Shock Mount
43918 views
Pinkbike Poll: What's Your Ideal Two Bike Quiver?
41889 views
Review: Atherton 130.X - The Lugged Carbon Cruiser
41262 views
Check Out: Waterproof Shoes, A Clever Hip Pack, Wireless Dropper Post, & More
36772 views
Tech Briefing: November 2023
34562 views
CeramicSpeed Announces $669 OSPW X Upgrade for SRAM Transmission Derailleurs
32262 views

36 Comments
  • 21 0
 Hopefully Snow Summit will build another track for the race. The current DH trails they have are all very tame and not challenging. Maybe they could rebuild the old world cup and pro national course they had in the early 2000's, which were right under Chair 1. Those had some good raw, technical, and steep sections, which would be worthy of the USO.
  • 1 0
 Hoping you're right but the USFS has been a limiter on trail development for Snow Summit for some time now. Wondering if this event speeds anything up...
  • 3 0
 Totally agree, to add, putting pavers in the burms is dangerous for faster riders... as they hit them with lots of speed, expecting a rut to hold, and there's no rut, just pavers at a shallow angle, with a drop off for when you slide over the top. Big Bear, you need more feedback from faster riders to make things safe.
  • 3 0
 @scvkurt03: depending on the state, you can open a trail for a race and then "close it off" or keep it unofficial.
  • 5 0
 @mtbmaniatv: This is Kalifornia. Expect dark-uniformed agents to knock at your door and ask you some very pointed questions for even suggesting such a thing.
  • 3 0
 @mtbmaniatv: The forest service requires approval for any trail building at Summit. If they could, they would.
  • 6 0
 I do agree that Snow Summit's most challenging run (Miracle Mile?) is not as gnarly as some other east coast parks or even other parks in CA but...I'm stoked to have such a big event so close to home here in SoCal, and the fact it draws in the enduro race is even better. Seems like all we normally get is Fontana and a few races at Vail, which is kind of a shame considering how many riders, riding, and big companies in the industry there are out here. Sure there's some racing if you go north but I don't think people who aren't from California realize how big the state is, not really feasible for your average weekend racer to drive that far. I'm excited to check it out, thank you Snow Summit for taking this on.
  • 2 0
 Agree. When you take the chairlift up you can see so many potential good lines on unused terrain inside the park...for the Enduro there are quite a few fun runs elsewhere in Big Bear Valley they could use that haven't been part of prior races
  • 3 0
 Summit definitely has the terrain, elevation and even the legacy. I am sure there are many old-school SoCal DHers that are more than happy to help "locate" or revive some of the more suitable areas for a world class DH course on Snow Summit.
  • 12 0
 With the US Open not returning to Killington, I wonder if they have any large mtb events planned for the next year or two? Last year was a rad time despite the weather and would love to see them host more national level downhill and enduro races.
  • 5 0
 Honestly, I think you're onto something. Killington was a great time last year. I'm going to see if I can convince the powers that be to consider such a thing.
  • 4 0
 I really hope they host a world cup there at some point. It seems like the perfect east coast venue for it. And it's a lot closer to MSA than Snowshoe, if they were to do a back-to-back situation like this year.
  • 3 1
 @InGoodFaith: What were the attendance numbers like for Killington? VT is lovely, but the population density in that area is basically nothing.
  • 4 0
 @motard5: Population density isn't everything. The Killington area has what it takes to host high profile events. The FIS World cup ski race that they have hosted these past few years will bring in crowds in excess of 30,000. The Dew Tour also stops at Killington. I'd love to see more high caliber races come through Killington since they have the terrain and the manpower to do it.
  • 2 0
 ESC is there for both DH and enduro in August. Not as large an event as US Open, but still awesome
  • 7 0
 Excited it's happening sad it's not close to home this year. See you guys next year. Hopefully on the east cost again
  • 3 0
 Bummer - first us open I won't be able to attend - west coast enjoy the race its always been a blast - loved watching Sam Hill kill it at the creek !
  • 3 0
 Will there also be the normal amateur classes? Hopefully they do and won't make amateurs race on a weekday.
  • 5 0
 There will be amateur classes. Hope to see you there!
  • 3 0
 I'm assuming USO coming to Snow Summit is somehow linked to @Mammoth shutting down the Kamikaze Bike Games?
Bummer.
  • 2 0
 Perhaps they will make a rock garden out of cases of Miller Hi-Life...This is America's Party Race after all....with a lot of $$$ to be won
  • 1 0
 I have a beautiful super clean 3 bedroom condo (with a LARGE attached garage) right at the base of Snow Summit. Email me if interested in renting for this event Smile tammykizer@msn.com
  • 3 0
 Go to Angel Fire instead!
  • 1 0
 There was an article written after they hosted the WC and lost quite a bit of money. So I doubt they will host in the future.
  • 1 0
 @femto505: Bummer.
  • 3 1
 That big check makes the EWS prize money look like chump change.......because it is chump change.
  • 2 0
 Miracle Mile is poop, hopefully its like the Mammoth Kamikaze DH course last year. Pure Gnarnia
  • 5 2
 Bring the us open back to where it belongs ! Mountain creek!!!!
  • 3 0
 I’m in!!!! ????????
  • 1 0
 Look out for the massive rock gardens?!!!
  • 3 0
 I like to party!
  • 1 1
 I remember doing the snow summit national back in 03. They had a Japanese or Chinese national rider die near the end of a practice run on the Pro dh course.
  • 1 0
 Are you able to race the enduro and the downhill at the us open or do they conflict with eachother?
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.049514
Mobile Version of Website