Once again Whistler cyclists rode hard to capture many of the top spots in a B.C. Cup event. Last weekend it was the Foes-Azonic Bear Mountain Challenge in Mission, the fourth cross country (May 26) and the third downhill (May 27) of the season.
Once again James Crowe, riding for Kona and the Glacier Shop, finished ahead of the pack in the mens Under 15 category. Just 13 years old, James is now three-for-three in the B.C. Cup races he has entered this season while racing for STORMBC, the Single Track Off Road Mountain Bike Club of Whistler.
In the mens Under 17 race, Cory Derpak, 15, finished third overall racing for the Glacier Shop and STORMBC. Whistlers Brendon Edgar, riding for Team Escape and Devo, was fourth. Ryan Black, racing with STORMBC and Evolution was sixth, and teammate Jason Klimock was eighth riding for Evolution and STORMBC sponsor Specialized.
Local Tyler West won the WORCA Junior Looney race on the Thursday, but still had enough left to finish a close third on Saturday. Whistlers Will Routley, who was named to the national development team and Rocky Mountain factory team this year, was eighth after being held up by mechanical problems.
Brook Baker, a Canada Cup and B.C. Champion last season in the womens Junior Sport category, rode uncontested to win her third B.C. Cup of 2001. She rides for STORMBC, Evolution and Specialized.
Whistlers Chad Miles, after being held back by mechanical problems at last weeks race in Summerland, resumed his position at the front of the Elite mens pack. Miles, who finished four and a half minutes ahead of the next competitor, rides for Roach and Evolution.
Local Lisa Dickson also kept up to national team racers Eron and Amber Chorney to finish third in the Elite women for Corsa Cycles. Dickson finished one second back of Eron, and 41 seconds back of Amber.
Angela Teng won the WORCA race on Thursday, and the Senior Expert women category on Saturday by more than eight minutes. Teng is riding for the Whistler Bike Co.
Todd Kemp, riding for the Glacier Shop, finished seventh out of 22 racers in the Masters 30 to 39 race.
Tony Routley, Wills father, finished fourth in the Master 40-plus Expert men category riding for Rocky Mountain Bicycles. Eric Crowe, James father, finished sixth riding for the Glacier Shop.
In the downhill races, STORMBC rider Jeff Beatty won the mens Junior Expert category. This is his first win of the season since he made the jump up from Junior Sport, where he was a provincial and national champion last season. Teammate Kyle Treleaven finished in 11 th place.
Extreme freeskier Jen Ashton, riding for Fanatyk Co., won the Elite women category. This was her first win of the season.
The next race of the season takes place this weekend in Kelowna with cross-country, downhill and dual slalom competitions.
Chris Colbeck, the coach and founder of STORMBC, says he is happy with the results the club riders have had this year. Building on past successes, STORMBC is fielding its own team this year for competition in provincial and Canada Cup races. At least one STORMBC rider has finished first in every race this season.
"I think theyre right on track," said Colbeck. "I certainly didnt predict this kind of success this early in the season. Our goal was just to make every B.C. Cup and build each time, and weve ended up with a bunch of firsts."
STORMBC, which runs year-round mountain bike programs for all ages and levels of ability, was named the top club in the province last year by Cycling B.C., and has succeeded in enlisting a number of sponsors to help the program. Specialized is the clubs bike sponsor, Evolution is their shop sponsor, and Polaris Water provides water to the team and club. WhistlerWeb also helps out by hosting the teams Web site at www.stormbc.com.
NOTE TO READERS: Did I miss any locals? The results I receive dont usually include the hometown of the riders, and Ive been going by my own knowledge and the help of others. If you are competing in the B.C. Cup races and would like a mention let me know who you are. Send an email to [email protected] or call me 938-0202.