Last weekend, much the the mountain bike world had its eyes trained on Windham, New York as the UCI World Cup came plowing through this small resort community. Athletes and spectators alike converged on the northern Catskill mountain to race in and watch several events including the POC Eastern States Cup Race the World Downhill; the 10th event on the year out of 16 total (Atlantic and New England Cups combined), making the ESC series the largest in the country! Over 180 racers would compete on Sunday, including a pro field with 30 men and women, on a course described by as many as longer and more technical than the World Cup course seen by the world the day prior. The weather could not have been better, with the sun shining brightly and temperatures pleasant throughout the weekend, leaving the track decidedly somewhat un-east coast-like with dusty berms and loose sections down much of the course. With so much energy being poured into the weekend from around the world, racers were anxious to get things started and hang it all out on the nearly 2 kilometer long course.
Despite the rigors of the previous day's spectating, many still made it to the ESC course early to get a good spot and watch the action unfold.
Exit speed is always a concern, no matter how big or small the rider. The start of the course saw riders generate plenty of speed on an open piste before entering the woods and encountering this rocky section of singletrack.
As always, ESC races remain a family affair, with many generations of riders making the trek to put rubber to dirt and experience downhill racing together.
Reading Racing's Pryde Dotterer took the fast line over this drop found early on the course.
Riders would exit the first section of forest onto a wide open section; generating plenty of speed just in time to hit the brakes and make a sharp right into the next section of forested singletrack.
George Ulmer has invested a lot of his time and resources into the development of the country's largest gravity mountain bike series, so you'd be crazy to think he isn't going to want to enjoy the fruits of his labor!
Lucas Lagneau may only weigh in at just a hair heavier than his bike, but that didn't stop him from going full throttle down this fast and technical course. Lucas picked clean lines and showed good technique on his way to a 3rd place finish in the Cat 2/3 14 and under category.
This chute-to-left was an interesting spot to watch as riders took several approaches to the entrance and exit of this particular section. Junior Janda Martin looked quick through his inside line before a mechanical derailed his race later on the course.
Jessica Gilbert set herself up with an outside line choice, exiting inside and hammering the open piste stretch of trail that followed this chute.
The violent sound of riders hitting the landing of this drop was alarming to the uninitiated. For Andrew it was just another day at the office. The young Canadian handled his business on his way to a 2nd place finish.
David Marshall was neat and tidy through this fast and loose berm; a section that removed many riders from their bikes.
Broken tape and broken bikes often go hand-in-hand.
The speed trap was located roughly halfway down the track, following this section of woods. Michael Kane was kind enough to remember that style can increase a top speed by almost 25%; scientifically speaking of course.
Riders carried a tremendous amount of momentum from the speed trap into this rock garden, resulting in what must have been close to a dozen flats in just this section alone.
Things became especially loose as riders made their way towards the bottom of the track. The dry weather and baking sun created conditions that are most often associated with the tracks found in western America. The loose pebbles and thick layer of dust found in berms and open pistes made for some rowdy corners. Many riders spent much of the race with one foot out, as Jack Williams is showing us here.
Kristen Courtney would take the top spot for the pro women, with aggressive line choices and clean riding.
One of the really unique features of the Race the World DH Track was the intertwining of the World Cup XC and ESC DH courses. As riders exited the final section of forest, they launched themselves over the XC course via this bridged drop. Massachusetts pro Adam Delonais styling out for spectators of both races.
Max Morgan, who would finish 4th on the day out of 25 pro men, was recently selected to the World Championships team for the U.S.! We can't wait to see what Norway has in store for the young Georgia native.
This was perhaps the most international event on the ESC calendar this season, with riders showing up from Canada, Australia and even Colombia. Colombian pro Rafael Gutierrez, who would finish just outside of the top 10, looked strong as he made his way to the finish.
Once the dust settled (and there was quite a bit of dust to settle), it would be Giant Northeast pro Brian Scolforo at the top of the pro field on the day; taking his first of what will likely be several wins as a pro. Brian edged out Mauricio Estrada by .05 seconds by taking risks and using his knowledge of the course that he has been racing on for years. Brian is as humble and nice as he is talented and it was a pleasure seeing the kid from Massachusetts find success at Windham in front of such a large crowd.
You know that the POC Eastern States Cup is going to bring it when it comes to prizing.
The Pro Women's podium: 1st: Kristen Courtney, 2nd: Mary Elges, 3rd: Michelle Crisp, 4th: Jenny Leblanc, 5th: Eva Wilson
The Pro Men's podium: 1st: Brian Scolforo, 2nd: Mauricio Estrada, 3rd: Thomas Crimmins, 4th: Max Morgan, 5th: Joseph Connell
Thanks to everyone who made the POC Eastern States Cup Race the World a success at Windham Mountain Resort. The next event will be on August 17th at Attitash Mountain Resort with the 5th of 6 in the Enduro Cup before the DH returns on the 24th at Sugarbush!
Full results from the POC ESC Race the World DH can be found
here.
www.easternstatescup.com/