US Open of MTB - Sunday

May 30, 2010

by Jordan Holmes

Day 4 here at the US Open just got wrapped up, and this marks the ending of the US Open of Mountain Biking here at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon New Jersey. Here is a photo documentary of what went on with today's action.

Check inside for photos...Today was a super exciting day at the US Open here at Diablo Freeride Park because it was the Pro Mens Downhill Finals! Many riders did their best to post a good time but at the end of a race day their can only be one winner, and your winner this year is Trek World Racing's Andrew Neethling!

Andrew Neethling Interview

by spoiledgoods

Views: 6,772 Faves: 5 Comments: 0

Trek has been looking fast all weekend, not to mention their race kits make them look fast even when they are standing still! Here are some photos from today's action documenting the festivities!

Your 2010 US Open Pro Mens Downhill Winner - Andrew Neethling looking FAST

Neethling awaiting his win - pressure was on

Canadian Boy Steve Smith cleaned up with a 4th place here...

and has been growing a killer Western style beard!

Trek's Tracy Moseley won it for the women - way to clean up Trek World Racing!

Monster Energy Specialized rider Sam Hill has been recovering from a knee injury he received in the off season...

but was getting back up to speed this weekend with a 5th place finish.

One of Sam's two team mates Brendan Fairclough won the Giant Slalom event, but couldn't top Sam's time to get on the podium. 6th place finish for the young gun.

Trek must be doing something right. Justin Leov finished in 3rd place, right behind Gee Atherton.

After the Downhill finals the award's ceremonies were held we all headed over for the awards ceremonies. The winners cleaned up and will be rocking new Status snowboards this winter as well! Andrew Neethling got lucky and received a BIG bottle of Grey Goose Vodka instead of champagne. Along with winning $7500!!

Neethling claiming his winnings for the Downhill.

Tracy Moseley doing the same on the womens side.

Brendan Fairclough taking the top spot for the Giant Slalom event.

Jill Kintner claiming the prize money for the womens Giant Slalom event.

Congrats to Trek World Racing for winning both Downhill events! Top guns on that team!

Mega Props goes out to the Diablo Freeride Park employees! They hosted an awesome event this year. See you all next year!

Good day and good night from Diablo Freeride Park!

More pics from Fraser Britton here.

More pics from Ian Hylands Here.

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spoiledgoods
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37 Comments

12 3

Waldon83 (May 30, 2010 at 19:26)

What's with the prize money for mens and womans. Why are they different? That's a bit gay

dchill (May 30, 2010 at 19:44)

agreed that is f-ed up

brule (May 30, 2010 at 19:47)

It used to be the same for each, $5000 to each, but at the end of the day there is like 1 girl for every 10 men racing or even less. They had to balance the money out and this is still the biggest cash purse for the ladies that race.

dchill (May 30, 2010 at 19:51) (Below Threshold)

that justifies nothing

bigbigbike (May 30, 2010 at 20:12)

It justifies everything you think that stock racing should have the same purse as nascar because they race on the same track ? Not saying that the women don't deserve the money but there are more men paying entry fees into the races so it would only be natural that they have a bigger purse.

dchill (May 30, 2010 at 20:31)

so you are saying women are unequal to men, like stock car racing is not equal to nascar. fyi nascar used to be "stock" car racing see Richard Petty

bigbigbike (May 30, 2010 at 20:34)

Pure numbers of people racing and number of people showing up to the event. More people go to see the men race and more men race. Thus the purse Is bigger. Like I said before I think that the women deserve to make money in the purse but it has to be proportional to the income in each event.

Waldon83 (May 30, 2010 at 21:34)

Thanks Brule, that makes sense. Cheers

iamamodel (May 31, 2010 at 1:43)

I was once at a race committe meeting and we were talking about prize purses for a DH race. One of the women said something like "Well I don't think it is fair on the guys that we get the same prize money because there are ten times as many guys racing."

I could have kissed her then and there but didn't in case her girlfriend slapped me (and not in a nice way).

luckynumber13 (May 31, 2010 at 10:17)

yeah the competition in pro men was much more fierce
131 pro men and 17 pro women
at first i thought too that it was a bit sexist but if you look at the numbers it makes sense for the guys to get a little bit more cash

plmbrman (May 31, 2010 at 10:42)

it's not sexist it's just reality. the men's event is what is bringing out the entrants and sponsors. imagine if it was a womens only event, there'd be almost no one there with only 17 women racing, it'd be like a ghost town. if you want real equal opportunity for the women, scrap the women's race and have them enter the men's race. pro only, see what they've got, that'd be the ultimate nonsexist way to handle it. why have a women's class at all if you want equal treatment or pay for the women? it's pure economics the way the pay structure is now and it's beyond fair when you look at the numbers.

kovaldesign (May 31, 2010 at 12:39)

'Being rewarded with a can of energy drink - priceless'

bigbigbike (May 30, 2010 at 19:22)

trek is kicking ass so Glad I bought the 88

just need to learn how to ride it now... :S

Gravis7 (May 30, 2010 at 20:01)

they should change their name to Trek World Domination

bigbigbike (May 30, 2010 at 20:10)

yeah the second year of their session 88 series bike and they are whooping butt they did something right with the full floater and ABP it really truly is an amazing bike. Heres to more great DH bikes to come Trek and A good season to all riders for all companies

iamamodel (May 31, 2010 at 2:07)

Another thing I can't wait for is the crop of class actions against energy drink companies when kids' teeth rot out of their heads and artificial sweeteners are linked to cancer.

That won't be so "Suh-weet"!

Milk and cheese would be better for you in the long run: it puts the calcium back that the caffeine leached out.

suicidedownhiller (Jun 1, 2010 at 14:31)

Or when their livers and kidneys fail from processing so much poison.

iamamodel (May 31, 2010 at 1:48)

I can't wait for MTB to attract a wider pool of sponsors: I want guys on the podium holding up a pint of milk and a block of cheese, or a frikkin Big Mac and a shake.

357media (May 30, 2010 at 19:10)

Thats sick!

cikudh (May 30, 2010 at 21:59)

whos using kenda?

ridingthemoment (May 30, 2010 at 22:54)

Congrats you won a DH mtb event, here's a snowboard!!

Why's Gee missing from the podium picture? 2nd not enough

extention (May 30, 2010 at 19:39)

Troy Brosnan is Killing it

luckynumber13 (May 31, 2010 at 10:25)

so is richie rude!
hes 15 and got 9th place with a broken chain
deitycomponents.blogspot.com/2010/05/richie-rude-gets-9th-at-us-open.html

StuartParker (May 31, 2010 at 1:57)

Havent seen much of that new kid whos riding for Monster energy Specilized, Hoping he will be at Fort William this weekend

adam1887 (May 31, 2010 at 8:07)

why is gee not on the podium?

missingnw (May 31, 2010 at 13:35)

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm a big Atherton fan and would be disapointed if his "First or Last" attitude was the only reason. I hope he had to make an early flight or something but I doubt it.

deadatbirth (May 31, 2010 at 15:11)

i surprised Gee wasnt there either. he was talking to the hot Red Bull chicks and when i turned around, he was gone

specializedriderfsr (May 30, 2010 at 20:06)

Thats cool... but where are the AM results?

brule (May 30, 2010 at 20:21)

www.live-timing.com/race2.php?r=20009&u=60

All results are in one sheet.

ericpalmer (May 31, 2010 at 0:09)

Yeah Needles!!!

Maksimbike (May 30, 2010 at 20:36)

Thats not very fair.... guys get 7500$ for first place, and then the chicks get 3750$ for first place...

bykguy (May 30, 2010 at 22:00)

The prize money thing has always been a big battle but we all have to face facts & that is it takes money to pay money. If there are more women racing the the pro womens prize cash would be equal. the other angle is with less women in the pro class competing it increases the odds for each woman to potentially win prize money so over the season the money earned can in some cases become equal to the men who have often 3-4 times the competition in their event. If that doesn't clear things up then how about we all work together to find a sponsor for additional prize money for the women (how about LUNA BAR or another female specific product?)

jgreco08 (May 30, 2010 at 22:00)

stop bringing up the same points that have already been covered earlier..it is fair

Maksimbike (May 30, 2010 at 22:03)

sorry that i dont spend all day on pinkbike reading every comment on every article. And yah bykguy that makes sence, thanks!

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