Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup Enduro Finals - Thunder Mountain, MA
After seven months of good times we've reached the final race of 2022. Thunder Mountain & Charlemont's Warfield Trails would serve as the battle grounds, with five diverse stages challenging both a rider's skill and fitness. The trails at Thunder are steep and fast, filled with large rock features and sniper roots, while Warfield features rolling terrain, tight corners, and some punchy climbs for good measure. Even if you've been killing it all year it's important to do well at finals, with 150% points on the line the overall can really be shaken up at this race. Keep reading to see who went home with the hardware and white jerseys.
The last time we'll hear Chris Gilbert's riders meeting spiel until next spring. It's also on the ESC YouTube channel if you can't possibly wait that long.
Early fall mornings on the Deerfield. Temps hovered around the 40's for most of the morning but warmed up to the 60's by race day afternoon.
Pumpkin spice and anything but nice.
The Motorex Ebike class are always the first out in the morning, Kyle Wolmer screams down the Billy Badger dirt ribbon on his way to first place.
Alex McAndrew proves smooth is fast, ending the day in fourth place for the Pro men's class.
Our fastest competitors from each class on Stage 1, taking home some goodies from our friends at Flat Tire Defender.
After a lift trasnfer, riders would follow Loamstar to Cliff Clavin for Stage 2. Luke Mello stays light through the rocks to earn the U20 race win and overall title.
Evan Kocsis lets it roll to take the 21-29 class race win as well as the series overall.
John Foody attacks the mountainous terrain of Stage 2, he would finish third in the race, giving him enough points to win the 30-39 men's class title.
GT U15 boys class winner Parker Downing has been proving he's not just a DH racer, with two Enduro wins under his belt.
The bike park stages are full of steep, chunky rock features just waiting to grab a pedal or derailleur.
Chris Mari handles the slick, steep Cliff Clavin chute with ease, taking the 30-39 class win by over 48 seconds.
GT U18 girls winner Ellie plows through the rocks on Stage 2, she would top her class for this as well as three other stages.
Riders would make their way to the Warfield Trails for two more stages via a two mile pedal transfer. Willem Cooper was in the hunt for the Pro men's overall but unfortunately met a tree with force during practice and would not be able to race, but still had enough points to land fifth overall.
Alyssa Kessler flows through TV Tower for Stage 4, she would earn the Amateur ladies class win by a commanding margin of 50 seconds.
Following the lengthy pedal transfer back from Warfield Trails, riders would head up the lift for one final ride down Juggernaut. Greg Jackson chooses his line carefully through slick roots that took out many, he would win the 40-49 men's class with a clean sweep of stage wins.
Hannah Harrington navigates a complex maze of roots, she would finish fourth on the day, giving her enough points to win the Pro women's white jersey.
Mainly a DH racer, Anthony Lapedota felt right at home on the fast bike park stages, finishing runner up in the 21-29 men's class.
Tucker Shearer finds flow between the technical spots on Juggernaut, he would go p3 in the U20 class.
Just a few turns left with tired arms, Stephane Simard points it toward the 50+ Masters class win.
Fresh rock rash and a cold post race beer for Matt Sebas after a tumble on the final stage, he would hang on to round out the Pro men's class top ten.
Andria Golden rounded out the Pro women's class top three, matching her best result to date.
P2 with a pair of stage wins for Sarah Howerter this weekend.
Another W to end an undefeated Enduro season for Kale Cushman, with three stage wins and a final race time of 20:30.
Pro Women: 4th - Hannah Harrington, 2nd - Sarah Howerter, 1st - Kale Cushman, 3rd - Andria Golden, 5th - Maddy Doiron
Isaac Allaire grabbed a stage win and slotted into third place for the Pro men's class.
Nathan Sterckx was the youngest on the Pro men's podium by probably ten years, and one of these time he's going to be on the top step. Second place this weekend with two stage wins, just three seconds off the win.
Kory Nagy had the points lead heading into the final race, and what better time to take your first Pro win in three years than when the championship is on the line. He got it done at Thunder with a total race time of 16:59.899, the only rider to break the 17 minute mark.
Pro Men: 4th - Alex McAndrew - 2nd - Nathan Sterckx, 1st - Kory Nagy, 3rd - Isaac Allaire, 5th - Saben Rossi
Overall series prizing will trickle down to the top five for the first year.
Your 2022 Maxxis ESC Stan's Enduro overall series champions.
Huge congratulations to Sitota LaRocque and Parker Downing for securing the most DH & Enduro points in their respective classes, earning support from GT Bicycles next season. The future of the sport is bright with so much talent being honed in these classes.
Pro Women Series Overall: 4th - Andria Golden, 2nd - Mia Migliorino, 1st - Hannah Harrington, 3rd - Sarah Howerter, 5th - Kalen Griffin
Pro Men Series Overall: 4th - Gordon Goss, 2nd - Sam Poirier, 1st - Kory Nagy, 3rd - Scott Smith, 5th - Willem Cooper
2022 top five from the amateur classes.
Until next time, Maxxis ESC racers. Thank you to everyone who came out to race or spectate this season, it's been a fantastic year of riding bikes with friends new and old. We'll see you in the spring, stay rad!
Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Jason Scheiding
Full Results
Easternstatescup.com
2022 MAXXIS ESC PRESENTED BY KATE'S REAL FOOD SCHEDULE
INTENSE CYCLES DOWNHILL SERIES
May 22 - Powder Ridge, CT
June 12 - Jiminy Peak, MA
June 26 - Sugarloaf, ME
July 10 - Jiminy Peak, MA
July 24 - Sugarbush, VT
Aug 7 - Killington, VT
Aug 28 - Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 4 - Windham, NY
Sept 25 - Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 16 - Killington, VT Finals
STAN'S ENDURO SERIES
April 24 - Diamond Hill, RI
May 21 - Powder Ridge, CT Night Enduro
June 5 - Glen Park, PA
June 26 - Sugarloaf, ME
July 10 - Jiminy Peak, MA
July 24 - Sugarbush, VT
Aug 7 - Killington, VT
Aug 28 - Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 11 - Arrowhead, NH
Sept 25 - Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 2 - Woodstock, VT
Oct 23 - Thunder Mountain, MA Finals
KASK SHOWDOWN SERIES
May 22 - Powder Ridge, CT
June 26 - Sugarloaf, ME
July 10 - Jiminy Peak, MA
July 24 - Sugarbush, VT
Aug 7 - Killington, VT
Aug 28 - Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 25 - Thunder Mountain, MA
MOTOREX EBIKE ENDURO SERIES
April 24 - Diamond Hill, RI
May 21 - Powder Ridge, CT Night Enduro
June 5 - Glen Park, PA
June 26 - Sugarloaf, ME
Sept 11 - Arrowhead, NH
Sept 25 - Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 2 - Woodstock, VT
Oct 23 - Thunder Mountain, MA Finals
Author Info:
Member since Mar 14, 2012
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That’s rad. Nice work GT.