No that's not a typo, we're back at Powder Ridge for the fifth Maxxis ESC Intense Downhill of the season. It was such an enjoyable venue two weeks ago that George and the Maxxis ESC team decided to book two more events here. For this round the community voted to race Wild Turkey this weekend. This week's track offered significantly more raw speed, more chances for tires to leave the ground and subsequently more dust in the air. After not being certain if we would be able to race at all this season it's refreshing to see the past two races draw an average of over 200 riders from across the Northeast, introducing many of them to a new venue. The series points battle is starting to heat up across all classes as racers chase the 2020 DH championship with just one more race left in the tank after this.
Powder Ridge was kind enough to run both lifts for us this weekend, so riders could maximize their practice runs.
Socially distant track walks are better than no track walks, everyone is grateful to be between the tape in this season of uncertainty.
The trails of Connecticut are bone dry and loose as can be right now, by the end of the weekend dust coated everything within a few feet of the track.
Evan Tighe throwing some style off the final jump in practice, he would best the Amateur 15-18 boys by 2.32 seconds.
Race day morning showers made the ski trail turns a bit more slick for practice but didn't reach much of the wooded course sections.
Although Connecticut isn't a particularly mountainous state, there's no shortage of opportunities to let go of the brakes and pull up on the handlebars.
Jack Dichiara kept it low and fast to capture his second Junior Expert win of the season, he's currently in the series points lead.
GT Coalition racer Colten Hubbard was able to take runner up for the U15 class, his second podium of the year.
Parker Downing eyes up a double at the top of the course. He would earn his second win in a row, nearly 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the Clif Kids class.
Dylan Blachek put together a smooth run, rounding out the top five and earning his first Pro men's class podium.
Maryland native Taylor Angleberger puts the wagon wheels to work on some rocky terrain, earning his first Expert 40+ class win.
Josh Davey's first year racing has been rock solid, earning his second Amateur 30-39 men's win this weekend.
Unweighting the bike nicely over the roots, Orion Cable smoked the Amateur 19-29 men by just under five seconds in his first race.
There were plenty of line choices on course, Chaingang Racing's Katlin Parenteau sends it right down the middle on her way to the Amateur women's win.
Not even the dust could keep up with Expert 30-39 men's class winner Scott Johnson.
Foliage & furious pedaling.
Do party shirts make you go faster? Just ask Amateur 40+ men's winner Luke Georgian.
Eli Gadbois scrubbing his way into third place for the Amateur 15-18 boys.
Expert 19-29 winner Tim Cameron cuts inside the S turn in the final woods section.
Cameron Mader has been killing it in the Pro men's class this year, fourth place this weekend and four podiums in as many races.
Sophie Allen flies through the final corner and into the base area, third place for the Pro Women.
Kristin Lenart has been incredibly consistent all season, this weekend she would earn her fifth podium finish of 2020 with third place. She currently leads the Pro women's series points battle by 14 points with one race left.
Defiant Racing's Mazie Hayden was able to secure her second win of the season with a final race time of 1:49.78. The whole Maxxis ESC community wishes her good luck as she represents the US at World Champs in Leogang, Austria. "I had an awesome time this weekend at Powder Ridge. The course was fun but short, which was a different kind of challenge, it was all-in the whole way down. I wasn't sure how well it was going to go for me since it's not exactly my type of track, but I was able to pull it off in the race run. I'm stoked to finally be feeling back on form."
Pro Women: 4th - Ivanna Estrada, 2nd - Kristin Lenart, 1st - Mazie Hayden, 3rd - Sophie Allen
Danny's Cycles rider Mauricio Estrada made it five podiums in five races, third place for the Pro Men.
Steve Estabrook gave it his best shot and ended just .41 seconds off the Pro men's win, he'll be back in action next weekend in our fourth Enduro of the season.
Matt Driscoll topped the Pro men's field for the third time this season with a nearly perfect run and final race time of 1:37.24. He currently leads the series by 14 points heading into the double points Final. "The track was really fun to ride, and since it wasn't too long we were able to go all out and ride right on the edge. It was nice to put it together and get back on the top step after a couple of underwhelming results. Can't wait to Finals at Mountain Creek!"
Pro Men: 4th - Cameron Mader, 2nd - Steve Estabrook, 1st - Matt Driscoll, 3rd - Mauricio Estrada, 5th - Dylan Blachek
Fall has crept into New England but there's still plenty of racing to be had over the next few weeks. We're back at Powder Ridge next weekend for another Maxxis ESC Specialized Enduro before traveling south to Mountain Creek for both Intense DH and Specialized Enduro Finals events.
Full Results
Easternstatescup.com
Words & photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Jason Scheiding
2020 Maxxis ESC Specialized Enduro Schedule
July 18 - Blue Mountain, PA
July 26 - Glen Park, PA
Sept 6 - Diamond Hill, RI
Oct 4 - Powder Ridge, CT
October 18 - Mountain Creek, NJ FINALS 150% Maxxis ESC Series Points
2020 Maxxis ESC Intense Downhill Schedule
July 19 - Blue Mountain, PA
August 29 - Blue Mountain, PA
August 30 - Blue Mountain, PA
September 13 - Powder Ridge, CT
September 27 - Powder Ridge, CT
October 25 - Mountain Creek, NJ FINALS 150% Maxxis ESC Series Points
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