Whistler cyclists on podium in B.C. Cup races
With temperatures around Mission hovering in the mid-30s and higher last weekend, the seventh annual Bear Mountain Challenge mountain bike races truly put riders to the test. The races were long, the terrain was tough, and shade was hard to come by on a long section of the course.
As always, Whistler was well represented in the cross-country and downhill races with riders making the podium in both events.
In the cross-country races on Saturday, June, 7, Whistler’s James Crowe led the way in the Under 17 Expert Men’s category. His time of one hour, 23 minutes and five seconds put him on top of the podium with a comfortable gap of over four minutes.
In the Senior Sport Women’s race, Whistler’s Jodie Hopkins finished fifth overall for her second race in a row, less than 11 minutes back of the lead, which is four minutes closer than she was the previous week.
Among the Senior Expert Women, Whistler’s Joanna Harrington earned her second silver medal in two races, and finished less than five minutes back of the leader.
In the Elite Men’s category, Whistler’s Trevor Hopkins completed the long course in 2:56:38 to finish 10th overall.
Whistler’s Angela Teng was in the running for a podium spot in the Elite Women’s race, finishing a close fourth behind a trio of World Cup racers, Sarah Noble, Trish Sinclair and Eron Chorney. Her time of 2:23:03 was just over 12 minutes back of Noble’s winning pace. Jill Vale finished ninth in the same category.
Eric Crowe came close in the 40 and Over Expert Men’s race, finishing second by a narrow gap of 1:08.
Rounding out the cross-country results, Ronni Lister earned a bronze among the Master 30 and Over Expert Women, finishing less than five minutes back of the leader.
Although a number of Whistler riders made the trip to Ontario last weekend to compete in the Canada Cup races in Quebec, a few local riders did make the trip to Bear Mountain.
The turnout for the downhill broke all records with 282 racers in more than a dozen different categories. By way of comparison, the cross-country events had a strong turnout of 219 racers.
Brook Baker, once again racing unopposed, won the Junior Expert Women’s category.
In the Master 30 and Over Expert Women’s Race, Marilyn Manso finished fifth.
In the Expert Men’s race, Greg MacDonald finished in fourth place, less than 13 seconds back of the lead.
James McSkimming was 10 th in the Under 17 Sport Men’s race.
The B.C. Cup season continues at the end of the month with the Mad Trapper races at Panorama Mountain Village.
For complete results, visit www.myresults.com.
Did we miss anyone? If you are competing in B.C. Cup races or other cycling events, let us know who you are. Contact Andrew Mitchell at 604-938-0202, extension 231, or [email protected].
