Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup DH #2 - Blue Mountain, PA

We're back to Blue Mountain Bike Park for Round 2 of Maxxis ESC Intense DH action. Home to Pennsylvania's largest vertical drop at just over 1,000 feet, the course here is known for being flat out fast. High speed and trails littered with rocks are not a bike's best friend, if you can make it through a race run without a mechanical issue you're doing well. Although we received a few quick downpours on Saturday, the 90 degree heat kept the course dry and dusty through the weekend. When the dust settled it was Matt Driscoll who earned ProBuilds Racing their first Pro victory along with Kristin Lenart getting it done in front of the home crowd.

Maxxis ESC DH #2 - Blue Mountain, PA

by Eastern-States-Cup

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Primary surface conditions: rocks with dirt mixed in. No tire is safe at Blue Mountain.

A couple loose, dusty, flat ski trail corners for good measure.

We even got a new section of track with beautiful berms and a tunnel this year, thanks to the massive jump trail that's currently under construction.

Clean bikes, ready for another day of abuse.

Good morning, Blue Mountain Bike Park.

ESC's youngest official making sure everything is running smooth during Sunday morning practice.

Holden Trahan flying out of the gate, earning his first Kate's Kids U12 class win.

Two-time Masters World Champion Lars Tribus smoked the 50+ Men by over 8 seconds.

Controlled chaos with fourth place Pro mens class finisher Mauricio Estrada.

Killington Mountain School's Gabriel Johnson scored his first U15 class win this weekend, here's to many more!

Ramerom Koblinger became one with the rocks this weekend, first place for the 40+ Amateur Men.

Maryland boy Alex Hedderick sailed into third place for the Amateur 19-29 Men.

The great bike and bike part shortage of 2021 has introduced some creative inventions.

Scott Huntley fights for the high line, second place in the 30-39 Amateur men's class.

First DH race in two years and first Pro Women's podium for Laura Slavin, fourth place this weekend.

Andy Marek improved three spots from the first round to take the Expert 40+ mens class win.

First year in the Amateur 15-18 boys class and Owen Crossmon has already reached the top step.

Defiant Racing Junior Expert class ripper Andrew Driscoll is all healed up from an early season injury and right back up to speed, P1 by 0.89.

Chaingang Racing's Cooper Pleva snagged his first 19-29 Expert men's class win by a solid margin of 2.71 seconds.

Pre-jump steez with third place Junior Expert finisher Corey Jackson.

Amelia Capuano comes from an XC/Enduro racing background but proved that with strong riding fundamentals, you can race any discipline you'd like. Third place for the Pro ladies this weekend in her first Maxxis ESC race.

First year Pro and local shredder Abby Ronca slotted into second place, impressive results after taking a year off from DH racing.

Kristin Lenart builds the trails here so she knows this mountain like the back of her hand, but everything has to line up on race day to reach the top step. First place for Sparkles this weekend, 8.6 seconds ahead of the rest of the pack. "I had a pretty confident feeling entering this race at Blue. I've really been feeling one with my bike again and mixing that with the hometown cheering squads and positive energy I was surrounded by all weekend, it was hard not to get into the gate feeling strong. It was an amazing time and getting to share the podium with my riding buddy Abby Ronca for her first Pro start...I couldn't have asked for a better day! It was fast and loose...and most importantly, FUN!"

Pro Women: 4th - Laura Slavin, 2nd - Abby Ronca, 1st - Kristin Lenart, 3rd - Amelia Capuano, 5th - Ivanna Estrada

Third place for Dylan Conte, two years and four days since his last Pro podium which was also here at Blue.

Steve Estabrook suffered a dropped chain and front flat in his run but still pulled off second place for the Pro Men.

ProBuilds Racing's Matt Driscoll took a spill in morning practice and wasn't sure if he would even start the race. He taped his hand and was able to put down a scorcher of a run, beating the rest of the field by 3.7 seconds with a final race time of 2:37.93. "Blue Mountain has been good to me the past couple years, I feel the track plays to my strengths and I enjoy racing here. I had a pretty good OTB Sunday morning, up until an hour before my run I was planning to sit it out and make sure I was good to go for National Champs. I’m glad I made the decision to race though, once I was on track the crash didn’t affect me and I was able to put down a smooth run for my first win of the year. Huge thank you to Jorge and the whole ProBuilds Racing team, I couldn’t have done it without them!"

Pro Men: 4th - Mauricio Estrada, 2nd - Steve Estabrook, 1st - Matt Driscoll, 3rd - Dylan Conte, 5th - George Ryan (not pictured)

Not sure who's more pleased with this one, Matt Driscoll or ProBuilds owner/team manager/wrench Jorge Gomes. Best of luck at Nationals and Maribor WC boys, show them how we do it on the East Coast.

Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Jason Scheiding

Full Results
Easternstatescup.com

2021 MAXXIS ESC SCHEDULE

MAXXIS ESC INTENSE DOWNHILL SERIES
May 23 Powder Ridge, CT
June 27 Blue Mountain, PA
July 11 Thunder Mountain, MA
July 25 Windham, NY
Aug 29 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 12 Sugarloaf, ME
Sept 26 Jiminy Peak, MA
Oct 3 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 24 Mountain Creek, NJ - Series Finals

MAXXIS ESC ENDURO SERIES
May 2 Diamond Hill, RI
May 22 Powder Ridge, CT - Outbound Lighting Night Enduro
June 6 Glen Park, PA
July 11 Thunder Mountain, MA
Aug 1 Bolton Valley, VT
Aug 22 Arrowhead Recreation Area, NH - EWS Gold Qualifier
Aug 29 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 12 Sugarloaf, ME - EWS Gold Qualifier
Sept 26 Jiminy Peak, MA - EWS Gold Qualifier
Oct 2 Powder Ridge, CT - Outbound Lighting Night Enduro
Oct 17 Mountain Creek, NJ - Series Finals

MOTOREX EBIKE ENDURO SERIES
May 2 Diamond Hill, RI
May 22 Powder Ridge, CT
June 6 Glen Park, PA
July 11 Thunder Mountain, MA
Aug 1 Bolton Valley, VT
Aug 22 Arrowhead, NH
Sept 12 Sugarloaf, ME
Oct 2 Powder Ridge, CT

BOX COMPONENTS SHOWDOWN SERIES
May 22 Powder Ridge, CT
July 11 Thunder Mountain, MA
Aug 29 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 12 Sugarloaf, ME
Sept 26 Jiminy Peak, MA
Oct 2 Powder Ridge, CT

GT BICYCLES JUNIOR XC CHALLENGE
May 1 Diamond Hill, RI - XC
July 10 Thunder Mountain, MA - XC

GT BICYCLES EAST COAST JUNIOR MTB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Aug 14-15 Blue Mountain, PA - DH - DS - XC - Enduro

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Racing and Events Videos DH Racing Race Reports

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Eastern-States-Cup
Member since Mar 14, 2012
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