Vittoria ESC - Mount Snow DH Finals Race Recap and Video
Mount Snow, located in the Green Mountains of southern Vermont, has a long and storied history hosting the world's biggest riders and events. Another chapter was added to the mountain's racing legacy this past weekend as the Vittoria Eastern States Cup downhill crew stormed into town for the series finale. With double points on the line and tight leaderboards across all divisions, the stakes couldn't have been higher. As a regular stop on the old NORBA circuit in the 90s and a National Championship host a decade ago its no surprise that the ESC Mount Snow track had an old-school feel with wide taping, open slopes, and autobahn speeds. The short track promised tight times with no room for errors. A minor mistake could easily cost five spots on the results sheet so the pressure to perform was intense.
The fall colors were blazing but there was no autumnal nip in the air as summer temperatures and dry weather made for better race conditions than one could dare ask for in mid-October.
The barn-like start house in the top station of a chairlift added to the unique aura of the event. One almost expected the ghost of a former competitor like Sam Hill or Steve Peat to be lurking in the shadows.
The track began with a pint-sized version of the Mont-Sainte Anne World Cup start as a steep wooden ramp got racers up to speed in a hurry.
After a series of grassy steps racers came to a blind huck off a steep rock roll. With the right speed and a good pull, racers could land backside. Anything less than full commitment resulted in a spine and suspension compressing impact to flat.
A second drop with a thankfully steeper landing zone quickly followed. First-year pro, Joe Montano, has been sailing ships across the Atlantic of late but got his land legs back for the big race.
The speedometer was redlined on the wide-open track for pro, Jake Baxter.
A hip near the bottom of the upper speedway had racers squashing or launching but no one stayed on the ground. After being sidelined most of the season with a shoulder injury, Quinn Campbell returned on a mission for the last few races. Campbell took the Junior Expert win by a healthy margin with a time that would have placed him sixth in the pro field.
Charging under the blue bubble chair racers had to shut it down a bit as they faced the steepest and rockiest portion of the track. With generously wide taping a line quickly formed in the grass on riders' left but Meredith Williams went with the traditional slab line on the right.
A hard right exit at the bottom of the slab caused all kinds of problems for racers. Pro Dan O'Connor rallied the corner for a 7th-place finish.
A big radius berm marked the end of the open slopes of the upper track. Race regular Mark Schnepel from the rapidly-growing Central Maine Cycling Club team sped to a second-place finish in the Cat 1 40–49 group.
Speeding into the lower woods, racers faced a smorgasbord of roots and rocks. John Pallotto raced to a 2nd-place in the 50+ category.
A straight drop down the fall line with wide taping made for numerous line choices in the woods. Pro rider Jordan Newth looked to smooth out the rooty plunge and took home the 13th spot.
A loose corner marked the exit of the upper woods section. Taylor Primack took second at Mount Snow and wrapped up the overall crown for the 14 and under class.
The lower woods offered a continuous stream of technicality. Speed Legion pro, Chris Mari split the uprights at the entrance with style to spare.
A modest double turned into a full sender in the hands of first-year pro and past ESC North American Junior DH Team racer Adam Robbins.
The track braided through a labyrinth of roots and rocks. Dave Richards, riding with the Central Maine Cycling Club team, took home a top-ten finish in the Cat 2 40–49 class.
Dry and grippy conditions allowed riders to stay off the brakes through the tight woods. Lucas Rey-Sierro earned a podium finish in the Cat 1 junior class.
A rock drop marked the final exit from the wooded section. As an example of how tight the racing was this weekend: Fred Bassett was edged by a scant one-hundredth of a second in his run, enough to cost him the overall title by a mere two points after a season of racing. Now that's a whisker-thin margin.
A final wooden kicker sent riders rocketing to the finish line. Enduro specialist Kaylen Ballantyne rode his single-crown steed to a win in the Cat 2 19–29 class.
The vibe at the base of the mountain was smiles for miles as Mount Snow changed their policy to allow camping in the resort's parking lots. Drummer Racing's Eric Clark, owner of the coveted 420 plate for the past couple seasons, was sighted buzzing around the pits (possibly trolling for a date) on his grin-inducing motor scooter.
Frame: Norco Aurum Carbon 27.5
Fork: X-Fusion RV1
Shock: Cane Creek DB Coil with upgraded internals from Wayne Suspension Service
Wheels: Front: Mavic EX729, Rear: DT Swiss FR570
Tires: Continental Der Kaiser 2.4
Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano Zee
Chain guide: e13 SRS
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Bars: Truvativ BlackBox Stevie Smith 780mm
Stem: RaceFace Atlas 50mm
Grips: Ergon
Post: Thompson
Saddle: WTB High tail
Pedals: Shimano DX
Something for the trophy case?
The fastest racers through the Fly Speed Zone radar trap.
The women's pro race brought out one of the year's biggest fields. Mazie Hayden, a member of the ESC North American Downhill Team who represented the U.S. at World Championships in Australia a few weeks back, topped the field by nearly 15 seconds. "I thought the track was awesome, it's one of my favorites this season. The upper section was loose and fast, which I always enjoy. There wasn't anything on the track I didn't like." This winter Hayden will be competing in ski cross races in Europe, Canada, and the US. She plans to bump up to pro next summer and has one more year of junior eligibility at World Cups.
In second place was Canadian phenom Rachel Pageau who recently won the 2017 Vittoria ESC Enduro Championship. Pageau has been racing, and winning, nearly every weekend this summer. She hit four Enduro World Series stops including a top twenty finish at Finale Ligure two weeks ago. Someone get this woman a factory ride!
In her first race as a pro, Amy Shenton took home a paycheck with a third-place result. Shenton only races occasionally but usually ends up on the podium when she does.
The women's pro podium from left: Maxine Bergeron-4th, Rachel Pageau-2nd, Mazie Hayden-1st, Amy Shenton-3rd, Riley Weidman-5th
On the men's pro side, an unexpected newcomer took home the glory. Canadian Patrick Pare-Martin made the most of his first Vittoria ESC start with a half-second win. Pare-Martin is a seasoned Quebec Cup racer from Montreal with numerous top-ten elite results. "I've never been to Mount Snow before. This was a sick course, the top was so fast, loose and fun to race!"
On the second-step was Isaac Allaire who rides for Transition and Chuck's Bikes. Allaire has been one of the most consistent riders on the tour for several years now and is always a favorite to win in both enduro and downhill disciplines.
The third spot went to Defiant Racing's Mauricio Estrada. That Estrada even made it to the race was a small miracle. After celebrating a family birthday in Las Vegas on Saturday, Estrada flew back to the east coast, drove to Vermont and only had time for one inspection run before his race. Perhaps his most remarkable result in a season full of remarkable results for the veteran speedster.
The men's pro podium from left: Jordan Daigle-4th, Isaac Allaire-2nd, Patrick Pare-Martin-1st, Mauricio Estrada-3rd, Dylan Conte-5th
After the race awards but before the overall results were presented, series coordinator George Ulmer entertained by throwing Clif Bar products to the masses.
The women's overall championship went to Rachel Pageau to match her enduro championship. Pageau needed this final race to secure the overall and finished with a 51-point margin of victory. The top three from left: Riley Weidman-2nd, Rachel Pageau-1st, Mazie Hayden-3rd
A champagne shower for the podium women.
On the men's side, it was a tight battle with less than 100 points separating the top five. Mauricio Estrada took the title on the strength of six wins and just edged Allaire by a scant 15 points. This was Estrada's fifth consecutive overall title and he's riding as well if not better than any point in his career. If he stays healthy there is no end to that streak in sight. The top five from left: Steve Estabrook-4th, Isaac Allaire-2nd, Mauricio Estrada-1st, Jordan Daigle-3rd, Dylan Conte-5th
A celebratory chug of bubbly for the master of the mountain.
What a season its been. Great tracks, great venues, great weather (sometimes), great racing and most of all a great and rapidly growing community. Have a super off-season everyone, see you down the trail.
Words and pics by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Video by Jason Scheiding
Results: https://www.rootsandrain.com/race5715/2017-oct-15-vittoria-esc-dh-9-mt-snow-vt/results/
Final Standings: https://www.rootsandrain.com/series864/2017-vittoria-esc-dh/standings/
Photos: https://www.rootsandrain.com/race5715/2017-oct-15-vittoria-esc-dh-9-mt-snow-vt/photos/
http://www.easternstatescup.com
https://www.facebook.com/easternstatescup/
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It was the perfect ending to another kickass season of racing on the ESC series. Already excited for what the 2018 season will bring, but for now it’s fine to enjoy some party laps! Thanks again everyone for an unforgettable year.