NW Cup Round Five, Silver Mountain, Idaho - Race Report

NW Cup Round Five Silver Mountain ID - Race Report

It seems like summer park laps have just started, but the NW Cup was already past the half-way mark before heading back to Idaho for round five. There, racers would embrace the loose and dusty tracks of Silver Mountain Bike Park accessed on America's longest Gondola. After packing in a slew of laps the dusty pack of riders could retire to the village to cool off at the on-site water park.

Carson Eiswald kept things smooth and fast through the weekend to take his second win of the season (Pro Men).

The course layout followed the same setup as last year with Cat 2 and Cat 3 sharing the upper-half of Jackass before splitting. Pros and Cat 1 racers would link Hot Beans to Frankenbeans for a short punchy track that had only a faint touch of moon dust compared to previous years. Both courses continue to mature nicely, requiring decisive handling to earn top times. This was especially true on the bottom of the Cat 2 course where spills were plentiful.

Brynn Bassett and Sydney Haberman enjoy a laugh during Saturday's practice (Cat 2 Women 0–18 ).

Damon Sedivy seeded first ahead of Dylan Brown and Sylas Linnemann for Juniors. Local racer, Jaime Rees proved her command of the course by seeding more than ten seconds up. Kerstin Holster (Pro Women series leader) finished second behind Reese and Alicia Leggett took third. For Pro Men, series leader Carson Eiswald delivered a fast and controlled run to beat out Nate Furbee and Trevor Lewis.

Matt Orlando gets everything just right before heading up the mountain for the day (Pro Men).

Saturday's sprinkling of rain dissipated quickly and the dust began to rise beneath the onslaught of race runs. Just the right amount of braking was necessary to keep from washing out in key areas. Crashes, cheers, and smiles were frequent and some "new blood" along with the regulars graced the top of the podiums.

Kent Billingsley heads into the top of Hot Beans Pro Men .

Kent Billingsley heads to the top of Hot Beans (Pro Men).

For Juniors, Damon Sedivy held onto his lead, followed by Chris Wharton, Tyler Bommarito, Dylan Brown, and Bryce Kans. Jaime Rees lost some time on her run but still maintained the lead ahead of Alicia Leggett and Kerstin Holster. Carson Eiswald kept his cool and delivered another smooth and fast run to shore up his second win of the season. Joining him on the podium was Rhys Ewing, Kasper Dean, and Jason Eiswald (for their first Pro Podiums) and Kent Billingsley. View the full results.

Round six and seven of the NW Cup returns to Washington to enjoy techy runs at Stevens Pass Bike Park.

The entrance to Jackass piles on a lot of speed right at the start. Brynn Bassett (Cat 2 Women 0–18 ).

Sarah Bender speeds past clumps of beargrass which lined the top of the course (Cat 2 Women 40+).

Racers head into the trees on Jackass during Saturday morning.

Tim Healy and team take a moment to break down the course on Jackass.

Matt Orlando s bad luck for seedign runs continued at Silver with a DNS on Saturday but he pulled it together for a seventh place finish by the end of the week Pro Men .

Matt Orlando's bad luck for seeding runs continued at Silver with a DNS on Saturday, but he pulled it together for a seventh place finish by the end of the week (Pro Men).

Kerstin Holster took spot number two for seedings behind Jaime Rees (Pro Women).

Trevor Lewis was on the hunt for another podium finish and put in the third fastest seeding time on Saturday (Pro Men).

Teagan Haugen skims past the rocks and roots on Jackass (Cat 2 Men 0–14).

Sylas Linnemann scrubs speed off of the Baby Swiss drop on his way to seeding thrid Cat 1 Men 0-18 .

Sylas Linnemann scrubs speed off of the Baby Swiss drop on his way to seeding third (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Dylan Brown seeded less than two seconds back from Damon Sedivy who took first (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Alicia Leggett seeded third during her first NW Cup weekend (Pro Women).

Kate Meyer kept things light hearted despite missing her line through this rocky turn on Frankenbeans (Pro Women).

Jaime Rees is at home on any course but never more so than on her home mountain. Reese seeded first over ten second ahead Pro Women .

Jaime Rees is at home on any course, but never more so than on her home mountain. Reese seeded first, over ten seconds ahead (Pro Women).

Lines thorugh the World Cup section of Frankenbeans were fast and loose. Brian Davison Pro Men .

Lines through the "World Cup" section of Frankenbeans were fast and loose. Brian Davison (Pro Men).

Nate Furbee seeded second just a few seconds behind current series leader Carson Eiswald (Pro Men).

Kent Billingsley ended the day in spot number eight, less than six seconds off the top (Pro Men).

Carson Eiswald controlled speed through the bottom of the course was deceptively fast puttin him at the lead with a time of 2 10.73 Pro Men .

Carson Eiswald's controlled speed through the bottom of the course was deceptively fast, putting him at the lead with a time of 2:10.73 (Pro Men).

Racers and fans gather round to see where everyone stacked up.

With a full water park on site, Silver Mountain's post lap game is strong.

Between days is a great time to do a bike check. DFT United s Louie Blair has some nice touches on his small TR-500 this season. Custom DVO Emerald 180mm Fork Glory Wheels DH Carbon protoype wheels Magura MT 7 brakes Vittoria tires FSA Gradient prototype Billet 83mm DH crankset Box Custom Billet short cage protype derailleur and HT pedals.

Between laps is a great time squeeze in a bike check. DFT United's Louie Blair has some nice touches on his small TR-500 this season. Custom DVO Emerald 180mm Fork, Glory Wheels DH Carbon prototype wheels, Magura MT 7 brakes, Vittoria tires, FSA Gradient prototype Billet 83mm DH crankset, Box Custom Billet short cage prototype derailleur, and HT pedals.

Tailgate pads and gondolas makes for an efficient up lift from the village.

Tailgate pads and gondolas makes for an efficient lift from the village.

Zach McCracken pedals away from the rocky start line on Sunday morning (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Rown Bateman launches the drop on Hot Beans. Bateman finished thrid for his first NW Cup podium Cat 1 Men 19-29 .

Rowan Bateman launches the drop on Hot Beans. Bateman finished third for his first NW Cup podium (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Nate Furbee s practice laps were looking immensely fast but a crash and following brake issues put him in last place Pro Men .

Nate Furbee's practice laps were looking immensely fast, but a crash and subsequent brake issues put him in last place (Pro Men).

Kasper Dean put together the run he's been looking for all season and claimed his first top three Pro finish.

Jason Bohl squeezes in a final practice lap before racing gets underway (Pro Men).

Zachery Morris ejects over a gravel corner at the top of the Jackass (Cat 3 Men 15–18 ).

$Less than two months after a fractured vertebrae and broken ribs Marc Garoutte was back in the saddle and taking names. As a concession to his injuries he catted down for Silver Cat 3 Men 40 .$

Less than two months after a fractured vertebrae, sternum, and broken ribs, Marc Garoutte was back in the saddle and taking names. As a concession to his injuries, he catted down for Silver Mountain (Cat 3 Men 40+).

Carter Lacey narrowly avoided becoming this corners next vicitm by reeling in a fast skid to end in second Cat 2 Men 11-14 .

Carter Lacey narrowly avoided becoming this corners next victim by reeling in a fast skid to end in second (Cat 2 Men 11-14).

Oliver Hubler heads into a loose straight away on Jackass (Cat 3 Men 0–10).

Nory Klein enjoyed her debut race along with her brother Elliott Klen. Hopefull they pair has caught the racing fever Cat 3 Women 0-10 .

Nory Klein enjoyed her debut race along with her brother Elliott Klein. Hopefully, the pair has caught the racing fever (Cat 3 Women 0–10).

Corey Garcher kicks up a land mine on a particuarily dusty corner Cat 2 Men 19-29 .

Corey Garcher kicks up a land mine on a particularly dusty corner (Cat 2 Men 19–29).

Mike Howe kept things in line through the moon dust and wrapped up his run with a third place finish (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

More than one rider went down in the dust or tight corners of the Cat 2 course.

Max Ford gave the course just enough gas for a clean run that landed him in first (Cat 2 Men 19–29).

Cameron Llyod cuts it close through the trees near the bottom of the course (Cat 2 Men 30–39).

Riding strong off a win in Tamarack, Michael Buckley sealed the deal again to take his second win of the season (Cat 2 Men 15–18 ).

After three straight wins this season, Michelle Macartney dropped a step behind teammate Susan Walsh (Cat 2 Women 40+).

Ella Erickson handily defended her home turf with her second win of the season (Cat 2 Women 0–18 ).

Brandon Daly's season of good results continues with a second place finish (Cat 2 Men 0–14 ).

Nick Locke works through a rutted high-line on Frankenbeans (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Jeff Rees secured the home court win while pulling double duty as a new partent with Jaime Rees Cat 1 Men 30-39 .

Jeff Rees secured the home court win while pulling double duty as a new parent with Jaime Rees (Cat 1 Men 30–39).

This was definitely a corner to avoid the inside line on. Sergei Leonov (Cat 1 Men 19–29).

Dyalna Brown carried great speed into the top of Frankenbeans but nearly blew out the next corner landing him in fourht Cat 1 Men 0-18 .

Dylan Brown carried great speed into the top of Frankenbeans but nearly blew out the next corner landing him in fourth (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Damon Sedivy shaved off just over a second to solidify his lead and take the win (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Tyler Bommarito drops into a fast corner on Frankenbeans on his way to thrid Cat 1 Men 0-18 .

Tyler Bommarito drops into a fast corner on Frankenbeans on his way to third (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Chris Wharton made gains on race day and moved up two spots to finish in second (Cat 1 Men 0–18 ).

Kerstin Holster lost a little time during her race run to land in third Pro Women .

Kerstin Holster lost a little time during her race run and landed in third (Pro Women).

Alicia Leggett turned in a good result during her first NW Cup race and took home second (Pro Women).

"Silver Mountain is my favorite place to ride. Dusty, loose, rocky, technical it has everything I love. It's a short track but a great track!" Jaime Rees (Pro Women).

Despite an injury from Saturday, Jason Eiswald put the hammer down to take fourth and earn his first Pro Podium.

Kent Billigsley found some speed and moved from eigth to fifth to round out the podium Pro Men .

Kent Billingsley found some speed and moved from eighth to fifth to round out the podium (Pro Men).

Rhys Ewing also found a couple of seconds and pushed up to second for his first Pro Podium.

Kasper Dean held on tight to keep a spot near the top and finished in third for his first Pro Podium.

"I knew that fast was smooth, so I basically just went smooth down the mountain and it worked out," Carson Eiswald breaks down his strategy for a fast, dusty, and loose course.