NW Cup Round 3 - Race Day

May 19, 2013 at 22:47
by Paris Gore  
photo
  Early morning mist up top. The sun soon decided to show its face for the rest of the day giving everyone a relief from the typical NW weather. I've been coming to this race for ages and this weekend is the last for the season here. NW Cup moves on to Ski Bowl on Mt. Hood June 23rd and on to Stevens Pass for finals.

An unknown rider gaps the road in the mist on day two of the third Northwest Cup.
  An unknown rider gaps the road in the early morning mist at the third Northwest Cup. - Jasper Wesselman Photo

Bryn Atkinson spent the week suspension testing at Dry Hill dialing in his Norco Arum. She feels so good right now... This is the way Kashima is supposed to feel.
  Bryn Atkinson spent the week suspension testing at Dry Hill, dialing in his Norco Aurum. "She feels so good right now... This is the way Kashima is supposed to feel."

Mechanic appreciation day--Justin Frey of Fox Racing Shox checking over a tip left at the Fox Pit. It s nice to feel appreciated man.
  Mechanic appreciation day--Justin Frey of Fox Racing Shox checking over a "tip" left at the Fox Pit. "It's nice to feel appreciated, man."

1 2 of Team Robot headed up.
  1/2 of Team Robot headed up.

Kevin Littlefield and his mentor Luke Strobel getting ready for their seeding runs. Kevin will be at most of the World Cup s as a Junior this year although he is in the Pro category here in the states.
  Kevin Littlefield and his mentor Luke Strobel getting ready for their seeding runs. Kevin will be at most of the World Cups as a Junior this year although he is in the Pro category here in the States.

photo
Many may not know this but Jill Kintner majored in graphic design before the racing days. Here she draws out the course from her imagination to help her dial in her race run details.
  Many may not know this, but Jill Kintner majored in graphic design before the racing days. Here she draws out the course from her imagination to help her dial in her race run details.

Tyler Earnheart and man s best friend.
  Tyler Earnheart and man's best friend.

Big Horn BBQ to the rescue of many this weekend with delicious meat.
  Big Horn BBQ to the rescue of many this weekend with delicious meat.

photo
8 year olds dude... The ol man following behind to make sure things go smooth.
  8 year olds dude... The ol' man following behind to make sure things go smooth.

Mitch Ropelato lays down some heat but couldn t quite pull it together in finals.
  Mitch Ropelato lays down some heat but couldn't quite pull it together in finals.

Charlie Sponsel sends it up top.
  Charlie Sponsel with some E.T.T. (Extra Turn Bar Technique)

Local man Strobel didn t quite make the cut to the top spot at his home track next to the fastest man on the planet.. but close.
  Local man Strobel didn't quite make the cut to the top spot at his home track next to the fastest man on the planet.. but close.

Gwin
  Gwin

Kole Wetherall smashing out the Jr. X field
  Kole Wetherall smashing out the Jr. X field

Jill Kintner taking out the Women s field this weekend with a major lead.
  Jill Kintner taking out the Women's field this weekend with a major lead.

Mitch Delfs right on Gwin s heels taking second and tying up an Evil podium sweep.
  Mitch Delfs right on Gwin's heels taking second and tying up an Evil podium sweep.

Lieutenant Lars on his Covert dropping into the heckle fest. Soon to head into the brush just seconds after. Not bad Lars.
  Lieutenant Lars on his Covert dropping into the heckle fest. Soon to head into the brush just seconds after. Not bad Lars.

Pro Hecklers
  Pro Hecklers

Aaron Gwin putting on the gas into his win at NW Cup 3
  Aaron Gwin putting on the gas into his win at NW Cup #3

miniflipmonday s brought to you by Tom Van Steenbergen. Mini frontflip over the ending jump with absolutely no lip. Nailed it first try.
  #miniflipmonday's brought to you by Tom Van Steenbergen. Mini frontflip over the ending jump with absolutely no lip. Nailed it first try.

Jr. Expert Podium
  Jr. Expert Podium: 1. Kole Wetherell 2. Tom Van Steenbergen 3. Rhys Vernver 4. Nik Clarke 5. Corey Craig

Pro Women s Podium
  Pro Women's Podium: 1. Jill Kintner 2. Michelle Benson 3. Jaime Rees 4. Adrian Hopkins 5. Dawn Fidler

photo
Pro Men s Podium
  Pro Men's Podium: 1. Aaron Gwin 2. Mitch Delfs 3. Luke Strobel 4. Kirk McDowall 5. Kevin Littlefield

By far the best award I ve ever won at a race Aaron Gwin s little present thanks to the generous offerings of Big Tree Bikes Blumpkin Plumbing Mountain Man Keith Thompson and Team Robot.
  "By far the best award I've ever won at a race." Aaron Gwin's little present thanks to the generous offerings of Big Tree Bikes, Blumpkin Plumbing, Mountain Man Keith Thompson, and Team Robot.

Jr. Expert

1. Kole Wetherell
2. Tom Van Steenbergen
3. Rhys Vernver
4. Nik Clarke
5. Corey Craig

Pro Women

1. Jill Kintner
2. Michelle Benson
3. Jaime Rees
4. Adrian Hopkins
5. Dawn Fidler

Pro Men

1. Aaron Gwin
2. Mitch Delfs
3. Luke Strobel
4. Kirk McDowall
5. Kevin Littlefield

photo

Major thanks to everyone who helps make these races happen. Scott Tucker, Casey Northern, Mike Estes, all the shuttle drivers, promoters, volunteers, timers, med crew and anyone else I forgot; you all are awesome!



Author Info:
parisgore avatar

Member since Oct 27, 2010
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60 Comments
  • 22 1
 Gwin's so fast that the ink fell off his plate in practice and he had to write his number back on before his race run.
  • 3 0
 Love the photo where Gwin scrubs the tree before the drop. Talk about precision.
  • 5 0
 #gwinning.
  • 3 2
 Gwin's jersey lacked a shimano logo and his van parked next to the Shimano van this weekend. He was running Avids. AWKWARD.... Gwin 2013
  • 5 1
 great coverage of this american race..............but..................

as a canadian, checkin into this canadian website, i would like some coverage of the first canada cup race down in eastern canada.
really, is that too much to ask.............

?

i believe the race was on may 19th.
just sayin.
  • 1 0
 phatone, I guess you didn't know that the specialized team is running fox suspension and sram drivetrain with avid brakes this year. That would explain why he is running Avids and doesn't have a Shimano logo anywhere.
  • 1 0
 Sarcasm. I was making a joke (shimano brake failure for Gwin last yr)....obviously I need to work on my delivery
  • 21 0
 Did Stenbergen frontflip the downhill bike??? On the race run?? And got second place???
  • 3 0
 now that would be awesome if he actually did that Smile
  • 3 0
 He was on his double just after racing was over. kids got skills
  • 6 0
 haha i was walking down from watching the pros and we see tom pushing his bike up the track and were like "is there a contest going on?" hes just like "noo." so we walked over to the jump and i had no idea wat to expect and then bam! frontlip haha
  • 1 0
 It was a glorious mini flip sundays indeed...
  • 1 0
 did you get it on film?
  • 2 0
 Lets just say you'll find out tomorrow...
  • 14 2
 As Gwin normally puts lots of time into Delfs (you have to love rootsandrain), either Delfs has all of a sudden got fast or.....
Fort Bill will be interesting, Danny beat Gwins last years time there a couple of weekends ago on a longer and more beaten up track.
Will Stevie Smith be the man to beat in 2013.
The big boys are keeping their cards close this year, picking races not to clash with each other, I feel the enduro race route for fitness purposes that some took this weekend might have been a better choice for Fort Bill.
FABIEN should turn up on his enduro bike and smash them all Smile
  • 3 10
flag JakeNeaves (May 20, 2013 at 1:36) (Below Threshold)
 The Demo is quick but not as fast as other bikes. It brings the king that is Gwin down to everyone else's levels! Shit it is going to be a good World Cup!
  • 7 0
 A lot of people beat their 2012 Fort Bill world cup time in the 2013 British Series suggesting that either the conditions were better this time round or part of the track was faster so I wouldn't read too much into it.
  • 6 0
 You have to consider that these races are not more than preperation for the pros. Barel seems fast in comparison but that is because winning enduro-races is the main goal for him whereas minaar & co. are just there for training and representing the new enduro-bikes of their sponsors.
  • 1 0
 Honestly i think its just Delfs is fast. He's the man
  • 1 0
 Also: Gee just won DirtmastersDH by 6 seconds on a very short (2mins) but technical/muddy course in front of neethling, gutierrez, wyn masters and klausmann so he's on best form as always.
  • 1 0
 Wasn't there heavy rain at Fort William last year? I thought I remember it being really muddy.
  • 3 0
 i'll eat my left vans hi-top if i am wrong, but something tells me gwin is gonna have his hands full with a few racers this upcoming season.
there are some devinci/trek/santa cruz riders that will be giving gwin fits all season long.
was the specialized program the right way to go? time will tell.

can't wait for the big series to start.
  • 1 0
 I agree, Stacy. I think this year's WC could be consistently awesome - the technology is there, and there is obviously no shortage of talent.
  • 1 0
 After recent events I think my comment deserves some up votes. You bastards!
  • 11 0
 Opened this article and sat there for a couple minutes waiting for the first photo to load... Until i realised that it is white as the background
  • 7 0
 The kid is my son Braden, and he is 6 not 8 which is ever more rad. He is lovin life right now. He is ready to attack skibowl. by the way i am super old.
  • 1 0
 You split too quick Brad. Somebody had a little souvenir for Braden. We'll bring to the bowl.
  • 8 0
 Tyler Earnheart and man's best friend - anorectic bear
  • 2 0
 Man that was funny...I'm still laughing Smile
  • 4 0
 I just want to thank all the organizers for putting on this event, I had a super fun time (crashed on race run but that stuff happens whatever) and can't wait until next event!
  • 7 0
 keep calm and chive on
  • 3 0
 that dude has a fat chew in
  • 6 0
 Blumpkin Plumbing? Is that a real thing?
  • 2 0
 wondered the same
  • 1 1
 I suspect Sponsel is responsible for that.
  • 3 0
 Gwin's not even human. I reckon he's some kind of T1000 but built for winning dh events? He's not a man he's a machine!
  • 4 0
 That guys dog looks like a cross between a grizzly and a wolf !
  • 1 0
 does anyone know exactly what model alpinestars moab knee/shin that jill kitner is rocking there ? or is that not even the moab? can only find the one with the big white nobbly knee...
  • 2 0
 So sad that this was the last PA race of the year Frown stoked for mt hood though!!
  • 1 0
 Come back and race the Washington Enduro series at Dryhill on July 20.
  • 1 0
 I might try to make it to that. Sounds like fun Big Grin
  • 4 1
 500 hundreds dollars??? With all that sponsors??? strange
  • 2 1
 So dumb come on pay the man for his talents.
  • 7 0
 Our sponsors primarily provide product for our sick raffles. The financial help goes to putting on the events and keeping them affordable. I had a good talk with Aaron right after the event and he had no issues with anything except maybe that we don't have any more races here this year. Remember, these guys are doing this primarily to keep their sponsors happy.
  • 1 0
 Sponsors happy???
  • 3 0
 The NWCup is a well organized, great tracks local race that lots of the big name pros like to attend. $500 is a great payout in my opinion.
  • 1 0
 Are you kidding? How many local events have you been to?? $500 is a pretty good payout for a local level event. While that may not be big money for someone like Gwin, when it's local pro's usually winning at events like this that is pretty good. Just because Gwin showed up to a local event doesn't mean he should get a way bigger payout than a local pro would winning the same event. They do an awesome job putting on these events.
  • 1 1
 Seone one should have made a point about Patrick Henessey riding pro men's and the only guy riding a single crown fork. A transition TR250 with a fox 36! And placed top forty I believe.
  • 2 0
 Lars was riding a Covert...
  • 1 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/9604505
  • 2 0
 Spelled his name wrong on the check! GwYn hahaha
  • 2 0
 Thats a very evil mens podium Wink
  • 2 1
 Spelled his name wrong on the check! GwYn hahaha
  • 1 1
 Oops
  • 1 0
 wasn't gwin in Punta Ala? in the beginning of the weekend?
  • 1 0
 Gwin looks so pinned in his tld gear
  • 2 0
 Jill....what a woman!
  • 1 0
 Front flip??? That too crazy for me...
  • 1 0
 LiBtech?
  • 1 0
 good luck







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