Vittoria ESC - Blue Mountain Race Recap and Video
The Vittoria ESC headed to the heart of Pennsylvania last weekend for the second stop of the Vittoria ESC BOX Components Showdown series. Blue Mountain Resort located in the northeast corner of PA in the Poconos has become a regular venue on the ESC calendar. It's fast, loose, and sharp trails are among the most demanding and punishing in the northeast. The resort saw over 300 racers take to the slopes to compete in the Dual Slalom, Downhill, and Enduro races. After a night of intense rain on Friday, the trails dried out and presented racers with the dusty conditions they are used to seeing at Blue Mountain
Yeti and Vittoria tires Pro Adam Morse sends it hard for his birthday winning Stages 3, 4, and 5 and taking the overall win in Pro Men's Enduro.
Jason Memmelaar is always pinned and today he pins it into a sweet 2nd place finish. Riding for Yeti Cycles, the NY native is always on the gas, riding smooth and fast! Ten seconds off the win.
Fast Line Racing Pro, Dan Albert has been living the mountain bikers dream, traveling the country for the past four months with his girlfriend and their trail dog. His riding and training paid off as he found himself on the podium in 3rd place for the Pro Men's Enduro. Dan races for DVO Suspension, Fly Racing, Deity, SDG, and Shimano.
NBX Bikes Pro Willem Cooper has had a great season so far aboard his Trek Slash 29. He has seen the podium at every race he entered this season with a 4th on the day in Pro Men's Enduro.
Jon Gabor going full tilt around the bend and landing into 5th in Pro Men's Enduro.
KHS Factory Pro Seamus Powell was putting together some seriously fast times today and looking solid on track. An unfortunate flat on Stage 5 would put him out of contention for the day.
Gabriel Marzillier, racing for Cutter's bike shop flying down Stage 4. He kept a good pace all day taking 3rd on Stage 1 and 3 and ended up in 6th for the day in Pro Men's Enduro.
Fast Line Racing Pro Paul Dotsenko brings his style into the start of Stage 4. Paul is one of the lucky ones that get to work in the bike industry as a prototype fabricator at Cannondale. Here he demonstrates the flying abilities of his new Jekyll.
Sometimes when you race, your chain falls off, Pro racer Dylan Blachek stays in good spirits as he keeps on keeping on.
Rachel Pageau on Stage 5 on her way to taking the whole thing, 1st in Pro Women enduro. This was race number one for Rachel as she also raced the DH to 4th and ended up winning the Box Components Showdown.
Lauren Peterson pedaled to 2nd in Pro Women enduro.
Clarissa Finks rounds one of the many tight rocky corners on Stage 5, achieving her best finish of the season, 3rd in Pro Women enduro.
Alisha Darin was racing fast all day, but a flat tire on Stage 5 would keep her out of that top spot. Fourth on the day in Pro Women's Enduro.
Alison Crocker of JRA cycles on Stage 5 heading for the podium. Fifth for the day in Pro Women Enduro.
An example of how Stage 5 was littered with rocks, sharp rocks and flat rocks, round rocks and loose rocks, this stage had all of the rocks.
Nicholas Girioni racing for NBX Bikes starting on stage 5, the roughest and most demanding stage of the day. He ended up with the win in the Under 18 enduro class.
Jason Becker of Fast Line Racing won every stage today except for stage 3 due to a flat. Fortunately, he salvaged enough time for 2nd on the day in the Under 18 enduro class.
The start of the DH race course has a few tight tricky corners strewn with jagged rocks. This race course is everything a DH course should be, rough, fast, and technical.
Cooper Pleva gets in the zone for his race run, he grabs the win for the day in Cat 2, 15–18 class.
Cat 1, 19–29 race winner Piotr Sedrowski was absolutely flying through this rock section!
Wulfpak Racing Pro Dustin Mason.
DVO suspension racer Christopher Ridder shows us how it's done off this rock drop.
Last year's ESC DH Champion and DH winner was Defiant Racing Pro Mauricio Estrada. He was scorching fast in practice all weekend. I think he destroyed a rock here with his brutal speed and power.
Ian Norris laid it all on the line for an impressive 2nd today in Pro Men's DH, just 1.65 sec of the race winner, Mauricio Estrada
Steve Estabrook has been making a name for himself this season. Steve has been laying down some very fast times on the race course. 3rd place in DH only 2.27 sec of the lead.
George Ryan has been going fast longer than some of you have been riding bikes. Here is an example of him doing just that, pinning it into a solid 4th for the day in DH.
Jordan Daigle keeps last year's momentum going, with a new bike and a new team, he continues to keep on the heels of his competition with a 5th for the day in DH.
Spoke Apparel Pro, Amy Leishear takes the big win at Blue Mountain for the Women's Pro DH!
Blue Mountain local Pro Kristin Lenart airs it out in DH practice. Second today for Kristin just 1.62 sec off the top spot!
ESC North American DH Team Pro Mazie Hayden takes 3rd today in Pro Women DH.
Rachel Pageau raced the Enduro and the DH on the same Devinci Troy carbon. Coming off a win in the enduro earlier in the day, she would end up in 4th in the DH, well done!
Reading Racing Pro Riley Weidman goes 5th in DH.
A staple in the East Coast Racing community, Defiant racing is always a familiar sight around the ESC races. If you ever need help, or just want to hang out with some great people, stop in and say hello.
The brothers Becker, Wesley and Jason. Coming from a motocross background, they have quickly found themselves going fast on mountain bikes and have taken to racing Enduro. They are doing really well and hopefully, we will see them around for many years to come.
This tricky loose switchback section of Stage 3 runs under the lift, you can usually hear someone cheering you on as you fly through here.
Racers are usually going too fast here to enjoy the views this mountain has to offer. If you stop to take a rest here you are rewarded with this beautiful vista.
The lines remained long all day as the number of racers was so plentiful. The terrain and trails at Blue Mountain are well worth the wait. The racing here is always exciting and fast!
An always happy Joey Groff just off Stage 2.
Its great to see Pro shredder Leif Lorenzen back at the races!
I want you, to race the Eastern States Cup DH and Enduro!
Two generations of bike racers, the future of the sport, Michael Maldonado, stands next to veteran pro ripper Jason Memmelaar.
The Enduro racers line up for the start of stage one. Chris gives the racers the rundown on the timing if they are unfamiliar with it.
Rider info: 6-foot 0-inches, 170 pounds
Bike: Yeti SB6, 27.5, Large, Turq Series Carbon
Fork: Fox Factory 36, two orange volume spacers, 72psi,
Rebound: six clicks from open
Low-Speed Compression: two clicks from open
Rear shock: Fox Float X, two volume spacers, 200psi
Compression: open
Rebound: somewhere in the middle, that feels good
Build kit:
Tires: Vittoria Martello 2.5 DH (for the PA rock!)
Brakes: TRP Slate Brake with 203mm F rotor 180mm R
Shifter: Box Components One PushPush
Derailleur: Box Components One 11-speed
Cassette: Box Components Two 11-46
Bars: Box Components .one. Carbon Trail handlebar cut to 762mm wide, 30mm rise
Stem: Box Components Cusp stem trail stem 45mm length, 20mm spacer under stem
Grips: Box Components One Grips
Cranks: Raceface Turbine 175mm with 34-tooth chainring
Chain Guide: MRP AMG v2
Wheels: DT Swiss XM481
Seat post: Fox Transfer
Saddle: WTB Yeti Edition
The Fly Speed Zone speed trap winners from left. Kristin Lenart, Michael Maldonado, Cooper Pleva, Ivanna Estrada, Ryhan Lopatic, Piotr Sedrowski, Mauricio Estrada.
The Men's Box Components Showdown winners from left. Richard Soffar 3rd, Michael Maldonado 1st, Dustin Mason 2nd.
The Women's Box Components Showdown winners from left. Rachel Pageau 1st, Robin Dunn 2nd.
For those who want a little extra competition on race day can compete in the Fox transfer seat post climber's challenge. The fastest amateur time wins a Fox Transfer seatpost, all other racers from each class get some nice prizes from Fox.
The Alex Rims super stage winners, the fastest racers on Stage 5 got some cool prizes from Alex rims.
Chris Gilbert works hard helping make sure everything goes smooth on race day and makes a pretty good announcer too.
Junior Men Enduro podium left. Ethan Zyzman 5th, Zane Mack 3rd, Nicholas Girioni 1st, Jason Becker 2nd.
Pro Women Enduro podium left. Alison Crocker 5th, Clarissa Finks 3rd, Rachel Pageua 1st, Lauren Peterson 2nd, Alisha Darin 4th.
Pro Men Enduro podium left. Jon Gabor 5th, Dan Albert 3rd, Adam Morse 1st, Jason Memmelaar 2nd, Willem Cooper 4th.
Junior Men DH left. Ryhan Lopatic 1st, Kevin Owens 2nd.
Pro Women DH podium left. Rachel Pageau 4th, Mazie Hayden 3rd, Amy Leishear 1st, Kristin Lenart 2nd, Riley Weidman 5th.
Pro Men DH podium left. George Ryan 4th, Steve Estabrook 3rd, Mauricio Estrada 1st, Ian Norris 2nd, Jordan Daigle 5th.
Words, Photos, and Video by Jason Scheiding
Enduro results: https://www.rootsandrain.com/race5719/2017-jun-25-vittoria-esc-enduro-4-blue-mountain-pa/results
Downhill results: https://www.rootsandrain.com/race5709/2017-jun-25-vittoria-esc-dh-3-blue-mountain-pa/results
http://www.easternstatescup.com
https://www.facebook.com/easternstatescup
Vittoria ESC Enduro Schedule
Eight events count best six
April 23, Vittoria ESC Enduro – Glen Park, Stroudsburg PA
May 21, Vittoria ESC – Victory Hill, Victory VT
June 3, Vittoria ESC – Thunder Mountain, Charlemont MA – Box Showdown (State Championship)
June 25, Vittoria ESC – Blue Mountain, Palmerton PA – Box Showdown (State Championship)
July 16, Vittoria ESC –Sugarbush, Warren VT – Box Showdown (State Championship)
Aug. 20, Vittoria ESC – Attitash, Bartlett NH – Box Showdown (State Championship)
Sept. 3, Vittoria ESC – Blue Mountain, Palmerton PA – Box Showdown
Sept. 24, Vittoria ESC – Killington, Killington VT – Series Finals
Vittoria ESC DH Schedule
Nine events count best six
June 4, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Thunder, Charlemont MA – Box Showdown (State Championship)
June 11, Vittoria ESC Downhill– Pats Peak, Henniker NH – State Championship
June 25, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Blue, Palmerton PA – Box Showdown (State Championship)
July 9, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Plattekill Mountain, Roxbury NY – State Championship
July 16, Vittoria ESC Downhill –Sugarbush, Warren VT Box Showdown (State Championship)
Aug. 20, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Attitash, Bartlett NH – Box Showdown
Sept. 3, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Blue Mountain, Palmerton PA – Box Showdown
Sept. 17, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Windham Mountain, Windham NY
Oct. 15, Vittoria ESC Downhill – Mount Snow, West Dover VT – Finals
Clif Enduro East
July 1–2 Killington
Aug. 5–6 Burke Victory
Sept. 9–10 Thunder
MENTIONS: @Eastern-States-Cup
Author Info:
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15 Comments
- 6 0
spokeapparel
(Jun 27, 2017 at 13:10)
Thanks for the coverage and photos Jason and ESC. Congrats to all riders and all podiums. Special congrats to team riders Amy Leishear, Jeremy Fahey, and Mark Marrongelli, all with first place podiums. Shout out to pro team rider Dylan Blachek for keeping his head up facing a broken chain!
- 5 1
Abe-Roy
(Jun 27, 2017 at 10:30)
I made the Pinkbike edit! 3rd place Amateur 19-29 Enduro! Looking to improve next time ESC stops at blue mountain in September.
- 2 0
mmfreak
FL (Jun 27, 2017 at 18:09)
Lots of hard work and dedication from the entire ESC team to pull off another great event. We couldn't do it without the awesome racers who show up week after week. Hope to see you all at the CLIF Enduro East race this weekend.
- 4 0
richsoffar
(Jun 27, 2017 at 10:30)
course was running so sick! Thanks ESC for another rad weekend!!
- 2 0
nocker
(Jun 27, 2017 at 18:54)
This was a great race. Love riding here! Can't wait for the next one. And uh, Blue Mountain IS in the Poconos. Nice to have it local for us Pocono locals.
- 2 0
Joeypalmer
(Jun 27, 2017 at 19:29)
Blue Mountain and their staff put on some good events. The tracks are always
Mint...and in the Eastern States Cup and everybody is left smiling !
- 3 0
have215heart
(Jun 27, 2017 at 17:46)
Home town trails getting some rep. Awesome!
- 2 0
CommunityBikesandBoards
(Jun 27, 2017 at 14:55)
Great coverage! Love seeing the East Coast! Missing all the DH races this year!
- 2 0
willem
(Jun 27, 2017 at 19:16)
super fun weekend. can't wait for the next one!
- 2 0
TucsonDon
(Jun 27, 2017 at 14:51)
Nice to see the Blue getting some coverage. Sick.
- 2 0
brianpleva
(Jun 28, 2017 at 5:33)
had a great weekend...... next up. platty!
- 2 0
tim-from-pa
FL (Jun 28, 2017 at 5:46)
can riders race the full enduro and the DH races?
- 1 0
richsoffar
(Jun 28, 2017 at 7:42)
Yeah, that's what the "Box components showdown" is. You start the enduro early and have to make your dh start time.
- 1 1
Guntiedt
(Jun 28, 2017 at 9:15)
sick coverage on the pros....
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