Race Recap: NW Cup 4

Jul 16, 2015 at 5:42

by Casey & Scott

The always daunting Skibowl courses did not disappoint last weekend. I'm pretty sure the shop must have sold out of tubes and tires as the track pumelled both bike and body. The weather played a little nicer this time around with mild temperatures and just enough dew to keep the dust somewhat at bay.

Charlie Sponsel was on Lukes' heals in qualies and finals.

Shredders of all ages during practice on Saturday.

Ezra Northern picking his way through the Cat 2 Track

Marc Garoutte and Epic racing were out in force this weekend.

Tyler Booth back from injury. The All Out Racing team found some podium space on Sunday.

With the National Champs just a week away, there was a smattering of pro's from around the country, some with success on the rocks that they are more used to on the East Coast. The MTB Mania crew was on track all weekend with about a dozen cameras so watch for an episode in the coming weeks.

Sunday started off with a little practice and then the Pro and Junior Expert Seeding. For the Pro Men, Luke Strobel laid down the gauntlet on a sweet new Evil bike that wouldn't have been the odds on favorite at the Skibowl track, but we were proven wrong as he glided through with just over a half second lead. Local girl Shelby Reilly used her course knowledge to take the edge in the Pro Women category. And David Kahn from Putnam Valley, NY marked his territory in the Cat 1 Junior category by nearly 6 seconds.

Luke Strobel gliding through the rock garden.

David Kahn took Junior Expert qualies by 6 seconds, and went on to win, but only by .23 seconds.

Phil Kmetz fresh off a BC Cup win, not quite as fortunate here in the Hood.

Huge thanks to Duane of Mountain Sports Photography for the pics. Visit his site because if you were there, I'm sure he got you.

The NW Cup steers back North at the end of the month with the first of two stops at Stevens Pass July 31-Aug 2. A big thank you to all our sponsors, and we'll see you soon. Also, start watching the overall standings as there are definitely some heated races.

RESULTS
OVERALL STANDINGS

MENTIONS: @olympicdirtsociety / @mtbmaniatv

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olympicdirtsociety

Member since Nov 6, 2008
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18 Comments

14 0

rewob (Jul 16, 2015 at 14:48)

My god Luke. All those poor DH bikes have families. And you just murder them like that? Cold.

scott-townes (Jul 16, 2015 at 20:03)

"RIP DH" - Enduro

Tannerstolt (Jul 16, 2015 at 14:37)

i absolutely love when pros race on some strange and mysterious bike that is not production yet, it gets me super curious, Stoked to see Strobel win on..... whatever he was on...

maxlombardy (Jul 17, 2015 at 4:44) (Below Threshold)

It's called the Evil Following. It's been available to the public for almost a year.

Tannerstolt (Jul 17, 2015 at 7:03)

its a longer travel model of that bike, look at how tall the fork was and how much further up the links sit, i think it is either a 160mm modified version of the following, or a 29" version of the uprising.

olympicdirtsociety (Jul 16, 2015 at 12:32)

Huge thanks to Duane of Mountain Sports Photography for the pics. Visit his site and if you were there, I'm sure he got you.
www.mountainsportsphotography.com/Northwest-Cup-2015-Down-Hill-r/North-West-Cup-4-Mt-Hood-Race

briceps (Jul 16, 2015 at 12:39)

I need to know what that new Evil is. The wheels look big, aka 29er, but looks to be longer travel.

tboothmtb (Jul 16, 2015 at 12:47)

It's a 160mm 29'er Luke was running. Crazy haha

jojotherider1977 FL (Jul 16, 2015 at 21:20)

I saw that blue bike on the back of a car near Seattle on Monday. Had to slow down on the freeway to see it. Kidding, I was already going slow. Thanks rush hour! I'm gonna go with uprising 27.5 unless dabomb684 saw it up close and personal.

bighitfsr04 (Jul 16, 2015 at 14:53)

PHIL SO SMOOTH! I have a bunch of clips I am putting into a video should be done soon, nothing fancy just some riding

lccomz (Jul 17, 2015 at 6:13)

Luke crushing everyone on his 29er. Just another example of all the trails getting "dumbed down" in order to "grow the sport!" I can't stand it! If this sport had any guts left in it someone waaay more hardcore would have won with a MUCH cooler bike, like a 15 year old Big Hit with 24" wheels or something. Just another example of what is terribly wrong with our sport and I am starting to lose hope. When I'm out there and I see someone else riding some dentist-mobile with a big smile on their face and 27.5 or 29" wheels it gets me sooo angry that it just completely ruins my ride. Don't they know that THEY are the problem!?

the11firm (Jul 17, 2015 at 7:13)

So someone wins on a 29er and it's the trails fault? You get angry at others for having newer bikes? Wtf is wrong with you

11 0

lccomz (Jul 17, 2015 at 7:38)

Thank you for your comment. My post was 100% a joke. I'm sorry you did not get it. Happy trails...

the11firm (Jul 17, 2015 at 7:59)

Hahaha sarcasm is hard to read at times

Schmitty (Jul 16, 2015 at 14:31)

Nice write up, Scott! See you in a couple weeks at Stevens.

Cleon (Jul 17, 2015 at 7:34)

why do robots wear socks anyway?

demonbiker48 (Jul 16, 2015 at 13:45)

Disc golf anyone?

Glendmcc (Jul 17, 2015 at 16:43)

That's no 160 29er...its. 161mm 29er!