Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup Enduro - Powder Ridge, CT
After two Downhill races at Powder Ridge over the past few weeks nearly everyone had the same thought, this place would make a great Enduro venue. Take those two DH tracks, add three more equally challenging stages, nearly perfect fall weather and you've got yourself one heck of an Enduro race. The trails here are somewhat short at around two to three minutes in length, so smooth riders are rewarded and a single mistake could knock you off the podium. In the Pro classes Steve Estabrook is back on form with a dominating performance after a season plagued by injuries and Sophie Allen notched her first win in a ladies field that remained extremely close through the final chip out. After five stages some classes were decided by single digits or even a fraction of a second, making for exciting racing heading into Finals in a couple weeks.
Both lifts were spinning for Saturday practice, allowing riders to get plenty of practice laps with some fun runs mixed in.
Temperatures dipped into the high 30's overnight, making for a dewy start to Sunday morning which helped keep the dust at bay.
Caffeine boost by any means necessary when you forget the coffee filters.
With no lift service on race day, riders would access the top of the mountain via the scenic route up the old alpine slide.
Airline Cycles racer Anthony Vecca flew up the pedal transfer to earn himself a Transfer dropper seatpost from our friends at Fox. Photo: Evan Gilbert
After the pedal transfer, riders would descend Wild Turkey back to the base area. Shea Maclean has got to be happy with third place in the Clif Kids class in his first Enduro race.
No gloves for Aidan Woloszyn, no brakes either apparently as he took third in the speedy and stacked U20 class.
Liam Walsh pinned through the Connecticut forest.
Adrian Hayden all business at the top of Stage 2, he took the U20 win with a time that would have landed him second in the Pro men's class.
Fifth place U15 finisher Trevor Poulin enjoys the twists & turns on Drainpipe.
Amateur ladies winner Hannah Sulas flies through a sea of transitioning leaves toward the bottom of Stage 2.
Jump for show, corner for dough. If Zachary Siegel keeps up these corners techniques he get a giant cardboard check one day, second place for the U20 Men.
Straight into the good stuff at the top of Stage 3, Collin Bourque scrubs his way to a five stage sweep and the U15 win.
Stage 3 ran the length of Flowdawg, Aftershock Racing's Allan Bishop found his flow and slotted sixth for the Pro Men.
Who doesn't love a little style in their race run? Sean Murphy rounded out the top ten for the U15 boys.
Third place 21-29 men's class finisher Sam Sillay somewhere over the rainbow on Stage 4.
Stage 5 used nearly the same course as our first DH race here, running Bigfoot to Sasquatch before finishing up on Foxhole. Five pedals up the hill completed and Sam Poirier still has energy in the tank, earning third place for the 21-29 Men.
Valley Ski & Bike Works racer Cooper Daniels barely touches the rock slab on Stage 5, he would finish runner up in the U15 boys class.
Mark Schnepel let's it fly with the finish line nearly in sight, notching his first 40-49 men's class win of the season.
Colby Benoit was flying when he took a spill at our last DH race, but was able to redeem himself this weekend by taking the 21-29 men's class win.
Alisha Darin rounded out the Pro women's top three with a stage win.
Karlin McKeith was just 2.2 seconds off the win in an extremely close field of Pro ladies, the top four were only separated by 10 seconds.
Sophie Allen has been a regular on the Pro women's podium all year and was finally able to reach the top step this weekend, winning two stages with a total race time of 12:42.30. "I had a great day of racing at Powder Ridge. After racing two downhills there I felt pretty confident. I tried to be consistent and not make any big mistakes during the five stages, as I knew it would be a tight race. Overall I had tons of fun racing this weekend and I'm looking forward to the last enduro race of the series in NJ!"
Pro Women: 4th - Kale Cushman, 2nd - Karlin McKeith, 1st - Sophie Allen, 3rd - Alisha Darin, 5th - Alecia Faustini Photo: Evan Gilbert
Jason Scheiding getting a good look at the developing New England foliage as he slots into third place for the Pro Men.
Chris Miller earned his third podium result of the year with second place in the Pro men's field, he currently leads the series by 48 points heading into Finals.
Steve Estabrook won all five stages and bested the Pro men by nearly 13 seconds. After a broken femur and a wrist injury, he's ready to turn it up heading into the final races of the season. "It was a great weekend of racing and I also got to ride with some moto friends that live in the area. I was consistent throughout the day on Sunday and squeaked out a win! Thanks to Defiant Racing and everyone that helps me keep racing bikes!"
Pro Men: 4th - Nicholas Videen, 2nd - Chris Miller, 1st - Steve Estabrook, 3rd - Jason Scheiding, 5th - Kaylen Ballantyne
The season is nearing its end with just one race left in both DH and Enduro. With 150% points on the line it's anyone's ballgame at Mountain Creek, just be sure not to forget your Maxxis Double Down tires and Flat Tire Defender rim inserts. Check out the series standings as we head into Finals and we'll see you there in a couple weeks!
Full Results
Easternstatescup.com
Podium Photos: Evan Gilbert
Words & Race 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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