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Locals on podium at Oregon enduro

Biking wrap: Gayton, Buchar earn back-to-back bike park wins
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podium performance Whistler's Katrina Strand added another top-three finish at the Oregon Enduro Series' Hood River stop last weekend to continue her excellent season. photo by trent hightower / www.trenthightowerphotography.com

Several Whistler riders headed down to Hood River for the first stop of the Santa Cruz Oregon Enduro Series, a couple of whom rode to podium finishes over Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8.

Katrina Strand added another top-three finish to continue her strong season, finishing third in the pro women's division. The 37-year-old clocked in just over a minute back of Kathy Pruitt, who secured the victory.

Fellow local Sarah Leishman rode into sixth place in the pro women's race, while Whistler's Robin O'Neill competed in the open expert women's group and earned a fifth-place result.

Dylan Wolsky scored an impressive top-10 finish in the pro men's class, placing ninth, just under one minute behind winner Curtis Keene after times for all eight stages were combined. Jordan Hodder also made the trip and placed 35th.

Bowen Irvine had a solid outing as well, finishing as the runner-up in the junior men's race. Irvine finished his weekend 37 seconds off the winning pace.

METAILLER ON TOP FOR PHAT WEDNESDAY

The classic Orient Express course welcomed nearly 250 riders when the Phat Wednesdays presented by Kokanee series returned to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park on June 4.

Last week's fastest rider was Remy Metailler, who topped the open men's class with a finish time of three minutes, 39.10 seconds after descending Ninja Cougar, Karate Monkey, Samurai Pizza Cat and Ho Chi Min.

Metailler's win came by a slim margin, as Wolsky was just 0.38 seconds behind him in second place. Dennis Courchesne grabbed the final podium spot, edging out Zander Geddes for third.

Shane Gayton picked up the victory in the master men's race, finishing in 3:46.24. Adam Billinghurst rode into the runner-up position, about two seconds off Gayton's winning time, while Mathieu Hebert finished third.

Claire Buchar was the only female rider to break the four-minute mark on the evening, winning the open women's group at 3:56.58. Lula Darquier earned a second-place finish, while Christina Chappetta hung on by three-hundredths over Simmone Lyons for third.

Finn Iles cruised to a win in the junior men's race, finishing in 3:42.72 — a top-10 time on the night overall. Brad Jansen and Bracken Camilleri both reached the line in less than four minutes while finishing second and third, respectively.

Stephanie Denroche (4:45.94) finished first among junior women, sharing the podium with Bobbi Douglas and Nicola MacDonald.

The third Phat Wednesday of the season took place after press time on June 11. Check Pique next week for results.

GAYTON, BUCHAR LEAD WAY ON PHAST FRIDAY

The bike park also hosted the second PhaSt Friday Enduro of the season last week, with a couple of familiar faces atop the podium.

Gayton and Buchar were winners once again on June 6, with Gayton winning the open men's race and Buchar winning the open women's.

Gayton finished the three-stage test in the Lower Garbanzo area with a time of 9:32.391, winning the final two legs of the race. Stage 1 winner Tom Skilicorn placed second, three seconds behind Gayton, and James McSkimming secured third place.

Buchar's victory was a little more comfortable, as she swept the three stages to win in 10:57.769, nearly a minute ahead of the rest of the women's field. Carrie Meltzer earned runner-up honours and Fanny Paquette finished third.

The top master men's rider was Matt Ryan (9:34.511), who dominated all three stages en route to his triumph. Craig Wilson won the race for second place, while Rick Armstrong slotted into third.

Jack Forsyth wrapped up the junior victory, finishing in 12:07.759. Ian Milley reached the line in second place and Kolt Hoyle rounded out the podium.