Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup Showdown - Sugarbush, VT by Eastern-States-Cup

Maxxis ESC Oakley Showdown - Sugarbush, Vermont

Words: Eastern States Cup

The Maxxis ESC train rolled into Warren, Vermont this past weekend to take on the raw and rugged trails of Sugarbush Resort for an Oakley Showdown double header. Home to one of the oldest and most respected DH trails on the East Coast, racers know they have to bring their A game to the Bush. Stan's Enduro racers would also get a four course meal of stages to feast on. One thing became apparent this weekend, the next generation is hungry and going faster than ever. None of our four Pro category winners are old enough to legally drink, but they're pushing the limits on course as the vets fight to keep up. Perfect weather, challenging tracks and that beautiful Vermont scenery that never gets old made this one for the books, keep reading to see what went down!

It's been a very rainy summer in New England, the woods haven't had a chance to dry out in months. Every root is a sniper root.

Finally a rain free race weekend. Sunny and highs in the 70's with cool nights, perfect for camping.

The GIA Racing kids are in good hands with Veteran racer Jon Hanson on the tools, making sure their bikes run smooth.

Stan's Enduro

Our double header race day kicked off with a Stan's Enduro riders meeting at 8:30am.

With just one pedal transfer and fairly steep trails at Sugarbush, Downhill racers can be a real threat. Anthony Lapedota has been dabbling in Enduro and finally captured his first win in the discipline this weekend, besting the 21-29 Men by over 30 seconds.

Chris Mari battles the slick steeps in the East of Eden woods, he would top the 30-39 men's class by 6.42s with a pair of stage wins.

Still riding through puddles but at least it's sunny out this time.

Mostly lift serviced stages this weekend but we still left room for the Fox Seatpost Climbers Challenge between Stages 2 and 3. Our winner Etienne Hebert put down the watts to take home an ESC supplied dropper post.

Vermont sure is beautiful this time of year, Steve Estabrook samples the ski trail goods. P5 on the weekend and the oldest on the Pro men's class podium by at least ten years, but the speed is still there.

Rumor has it Sugarbush has a trail crew now and will be adding more trails in the future. Matt Sawin loving the Stage 4 rock work and scenery. He would earn his first podium result, rounding out the 30-39 men's class top five.

Riley Miller pulled double duty this weekend, finishing second in the Enduro with a stage win before her DH race run.

Kale Cushman was on the gas again, winning the Enduro by over a minute with three stage wins.

Stan's Enduro Pro Women: 3rd - Mia Migliorino, 1st - Kale Cushman, 2nd - Riley Miller, 4th - Kim Quinlan

Fresh off his win at Arrowhead, Adrian Hayden backed it up with second place and a stage win.

After four stages Eli Gadbois would come out on top with a total race time of 18:36, earning his first win after 53 race entries. It certainly won't be the last, the new generation of riders is pushing forward together, faster than ever. He would follow that up with fifth place in the Intense DH, good enough for second place in the Oakley Showdown.

Stan's Enduro Pro Men: 3rd - Luke Mello, 1st - Eli Gadbois, 2nd - Adrian Hayden, 4th - Noah Couture

Intense Downhill

The top third of the course winds its way down lightning fast ski trail. Clair Kushnick has raced on the West Coast for a couple years and decided to join us after making the trip East for Nationals. She would take the GT 18U girls win by nearly eight seconds.

Johnathan Yorke speeds down the ski trail toward his first GT 16U Boys podium result, second place in a stacked class.

From the ski slope we go into the woods, careening off roots and rocks in mostly controlled chaos.

First race, first place for Amateur 40-49 racer Derrick Hannon, an impressive feat on such a tough track.

Grady Payson points it straight down the infamous rock slab, he would fly right into his first Amateur 18U class win by a margin of 4.89s.

Elijah Hickey comes in hot on the slab, opting for the low line. He's been at nearly every ESC Intense DH over the past few years and scored his first Amateur 20-29 podium this weekend.

These rocks are grippy until the tires of 157 racers create a shiny line of mud on them. Tommy Kraus sends the main line with confidence, scoring his first podium result since moving up to the Expert 19-29 class, P4 on the weekend.

Third place for Mazie Hayden in her home state, she'll get another crack at it next weekend at Mount Snow.

Riley Miller decided to make is two podiums in one day, second place with the fastest first split amongst the Pro Women.

Kale Cushman became just the second female Pro to accomplish the double win at Sugarbush, taking the DH win by 5.92s. The newly crowned National Champion be representing the US at World Champs, we'll be cheering for her and a few other Maxxis ESC racers making the trip across the pond.

Intense DH Pro Women: 5th - Lenci Bogdan, 3rd - Mazie Hayden, 1st - Kale Cushman, 2nd - Riley Miller, 4th - Maxine Bergeron

Tyler Zenoni rides the fine line between speed and traction in the final corner, he would finish third for the Pro Men.

Fastest Canadian of the day and 8.21 seconds from being the fastest overall, James Frost laid down a heater of a run.

Everyone was chasing Andrew Driscoll all weekend but they just couldn't keep up. He would put down the fastest run both Saturday & Sunday, improving nine seconds over his seeding run for race day. Impressive speed from a kid who left a team last year to start his own program of sponsors he curated.

5th - Eli Gadbois, 3rd - Tyler Zenoni, 1st - Andrew Driscoll, 2nd - James Frost, 4th - Kory Nagy

Oakley Showdown Podiums for those who entered both races. Female: 3rd - Tillie Lange, 1st - Kale Cushman, 2nd - Riley Miller, Male: 2nd - Eli Gadbois, 1st - Nick Frazier

In typical 2023 fashion, there was a quick rain shower for good measure right after awards wrapped up.

Hose 'em off and get ready for another Intense DH coming up this weekend at Mount Snow. We'll see Stan's Enduro racers back in action August 6th at Burke Mountain. We haven't visited either of these venues in a few years, don't miss your chance to come race them while you can. See you there!

Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Seth Merritt

Stan's Enduro Results
Intense DH Results
Race Recap Podcast
Easternstatescup.com

2023 MAXXIS ESC PRESENTED BY KATE'S REAL FOOD SCHEDULE

INTENSE CYCLES DOWNHILL SERIES
April 30 Powder Ridge, CT
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
July 30 Mount Snow, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 8 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 15 Killington, VT Series Finals

STAN'S ENDURO SERIES
May 21 Powder Ridge, CT
June 4 Glen Park, PA
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 8 Arrowhead, NH – Outbound Night Enduro
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
Aug 6 Burke, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 10 Arrowhead, NH
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 1 Woodstock, VT
Oct 29 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals

OAKLEY SHOWDOWN SERIES
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals

MOTOREX EBIKE ENDURO SERIES
May 21 Powder Ridge, CT
June 4 Glen Park, PA
July 8 Arrowhead, NH – Outbound Night Enduro
August 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Sept 10 Arrowhead, NH
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 1 Woodstock, VT
Oct 29 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals

Author Info:

Eastern-States-Cup

Member since Mar 14, 2012
237 articles

9 Comments

calarco68 (Jul 31, 2023 at 14:06)

way fun week having 2 races in VT. Thank you for letting the show go on, VT got crushed in the July storm. Thank you to all the DPW crews keeping the roads open

Roost66 (Jul 31, 2023 at 14:35)

One more to go!!!!

marsholio (Jul 31, 2023 at 10:58)

Can't wait to watch Kale race Ft. Bill. Opportunity!!!! Get it!!!!

Roost66 (Jul 31, 2023 at 12:17)

Kale’s been on fire.

chriskneeland (Jul 31, 2023 at 11:31)

Woah Guy!!! Eli and Andy showing out. Congrats boys.

Swede16 (Jul 31, 2023 at 16:16)

Another great race report!

ECmtbski (Aug 1, 2023 at 12:50)

Nice job noah, 4th In pro @15

Ryanwarren47 (Jul 31, 2023 at 17:04)

Yeah Luke!!!!

brianpleva (Aug 1, 2023 at 4:47)

go GIA racing!