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Soldier Hollow – I-Cup #4

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The 2016 Intermountain Cup has officially returned to northern Utah with round 4 at Midway, Utah, Soldier Hollow Sports Park.

After hosting the first 3 races of this season in St. George, and Moab the I-Cup traveled north for Saturday’s event and it appeared northern Utah’s late winter wasn’t about to cooperate. Forecasts were gloomy at best and down right freezing depending where you looked right up to the start of this weekend’s race.

Seth Bradley airs it out during Saturday's race. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Seth Bradley airs it out during Saturday’s race. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

The bummer forecasts didn’t keep everyone at home as a few hundred motivated racers made their way to Soldier Hollow and were rewarded with dry trails and moderate temperatures throughout the event.

The 2016 Soldier Hollow course included a bit more singletrack per lap but maintained every bit of climbing the venue is known for. Riders climbed over 1,000 quad-burning feet per 6-mile lap. The elite men’s field raced 4 full laps as the women tackled 3 circuits.

Well over 20 riders took the start in the men’s elite race but Justin Lindine (Hyperthreads) quickly stamped out any notions that he would be challenged for the race win. Lindine has won two of the three I-Cup races this season and rode away with this one. His biggest challenge of the day would be staying motivated with such a big lead in hand.

Justin Lindine kept the hammer down despite being on his own most of the day. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Justin Lindine kept the hammer down despite being on his own most of the day. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

He stayed clear of the field taking his I-Cup win total to three of four for 2016.

The race for runner up was much closer with Drew Free (Kuhl) and Anders Johnson (Whole Athlete) taking shots at each other all race long. After shedding other contenders in lap one Free and Johnson threw attacks at each other with neither getting an advantage until Johnson made a final attack less than a mile from the finish. The 18-year-old was able to put just enough space between himself and Free to take second with Free rolling in third.

Drew Free battled Anders Johnson for the runner-up spot. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Drew Free battled Anders Johnson for the runner-up spot. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Bryson Perry (Canyons) and Jeff Bender (Kuhl) rounded out the podium in 4th and 5th respectively.

The women’s race was a much closer affair as most of Utah’s fastest women toed the line. Any of the top-6 women had a legitimate chance to win at any I-Cup event. Included in that group were round #1 winner Jen Hanks (Pivot/DNA Cycling) and the winner of race #2 Erica Tingey (Jamis).

Jen Hanks gets focused on the log crossing at Soldier Hollow. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Jen Hanks gets focused on the log crossing at Soldier Hollow. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Off the start though a three-way race started to take shape between Sarah Kaufmann (NoTubes Elite), Nicole Tittensor (Scott), and Rachel Anders (Competitive Cyclist).

Kaufmann lead after lap one but crossed the start/finish just seconds in front of Tittensor and Anders.

Now it was Tittensor’s chance to take control of the race as she climbed clear of the lead group on lap two. her acceleration was enough to drop Kaufmann back but Anders never lost sight of the race leader and as the climbing began again on lap three 18-year-old Anders bridged the gap and jumped into the lead.

Rachel Anders took the lead on the last lap at Saturday's race. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Rachel Anders took the lead on the last lap at Saturday’s race. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Once out front the youngster stayed focused as she drove to the finish line taking her first I-Cup win of this year.

Tittensor stayed close but couldn’t close the gap eventually rolling in second. Kaufmann kept a steady pace and held on to third place.

Hanks and Meghan Sheridan (Bingham’s Cyclery) finished off the podium.

Nicole Tittensor led most the day in Soldier Hollow. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Nicole Tittensor led most the day in Soldier Hollow. Photo by: Angie Harker/Selective Vision

Once everyone had finished and podium photos had been shot the skies finally opened up and fulfilled their ominous predictions by dumping sheets of freezing rain on Soldier Hollow.

Next up on the I-Cup schedule is the Stan Crane Memorial in Draper, Utah, May 30th. Check in with MTB Race News for full coverage from this and every Intermountain Cup race in 2016.

Click Here for full results from all categories

Red Rock Rampage – St. George, UT

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Saturday’s edition of the Red Rock Rampage ushered in a new era for Utah’s Intermountain Cup now under new ownership. The iconic mountain bike series was purchased at the end of 2015 by Threshold Events. And while the racecourse didn’t look all that much different the general consensus after the race was that the new guys seem to know what they are doing. Post race food, quick results, and speedy podium presentations left racers happy and encouraged for things to come.

Alex Grant chases Justin Lindine on lap one of four in St. George. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Alex Grant chases Justin Lindine on lap one of four in St. George. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

As always, the riders themselves put on quite a show. The race was headlined by Olympic hopeful Alex Grant (Cannondale/Fly360) who was putting the finishing touches on his spring training prior to the upcoming UCI races in California. Justin Lindine (Hyper Threads) played Grant’s antagonist ensuring it wouldn’t be a smooth ride out front for the Cannonade rider. The duo rode wheel to wheel for three laps before Grant pulled ahead out climbing Lindine in the opening climbs of the final lap.

Kevin Day follows Adam Brown over some rocks. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Kevin Day follows Adam Brown over some rocks. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Kevin Day (Endurance 360) had strong showing shown here following Summit devo rider Adam Brown. Shortly after Brown’s chain exploded with enough force that it hit Kevin in the face.

Jen Hanks showed off her early-season form riding away from the competition on lap one. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Jen Hanks showed off her early-season form riding away from the competition on lap one. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Jen Hanks (Pivot/DNA Cycling) continued her early-season tear tallying a win in St. George to go along with her third place at TransAndes and 5-person team championship at 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo. Hanks was challenged early on by elite youngster Rachel Anders (Competitive Cyclist) who represented the US at the world championships last year.

Hanks’ fast climbing style was too much for Anders as the race winner pulled clear on the rocky climbs of the first and second laps.

Justin Lindine popping and locking over some big rocks. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Justin Lindine popping and locking over some big rocks. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Not many people were choosing this line on the second climb but when your name is Justin Lindine it’s not a problem.

DNA Cycling rouleur rider on his final lap. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

DNA Cycling rouleur rider on his final lap. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Riders of all ages and skill levels tested themselves at the Red Rock Rampage.

Rachel Anders put down a solid effort in second and highlighted a good showing for the Competitive Cyclist dev program. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Rachel Anders put down a solid effort in second and highlighted a good showing for the Competitive Cyclist devo program. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

The Competitive Cyclist devo program had a strong showing placing several of it’s junior and U-23 riders on the podium and challenging at the front of the pro/elite events.

Chris Holley rode a solid but lonely race occupying third place all day. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Chris Holley rode a solid but lonely race occupying third place all day. Photo by: Shannon Boffeli

Taking third on the day Chris Holley (Kuhl) is one of the toughest riders on the circuit and almost untouchable in the rocks and washes of southern Utah.

Click Here to learn more about the Intermountain Cup. You can see coverage of the next race on the I-Cup series right here on Mountain Bike Race News. Racers will be back in St. George for the Cactus Hugger, April 2nd.

Intermountain Cup #8 – Snowbird, UT

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Written by: Jen Hanks

The Intermountain Cup’s 8th stop of the season was at picturesque Snowbird Resort.  Snowbird’s 8000+ foot elevation was just high enough to give racers reprieve from Salt Lake City’s heat wave that has had temperatures hovering in the low 100s for the past three weeks. The high altitude race was also a perfect final test for racers planning to race cross country nationals at Mammoth Mountain in two weeks; this included the Whole Athlete Development team who has been training at altitude in Park City in preparation for Nationals.  Utah’s own development team, Summit Bike Club, was also out in full force.

The impressive eleven-rider pro women’s race featured some of Utah’s fastest ladies as well as three juniors with UCI rankings in the top-10 worldwide including Haley Batten (Whole Athlete-ranked 1st in the world), Rachel Anders (Summit Bike Club – 4th in the world) and Kelsy Urban (Whole Athlete – 8th in the world).

Joey Lythgoe flows through the wild flowers at Snowbird - Photo by Angie Harker

Joey Lythgoe flows through the wild flowers at Snowbird – Photo by Angie Harker

Rachel Anders took the hole shot and hit the singletrack first with Haley Batten and Nicole Tittensor (Revolution) not far behind.  Joey Lythgoe (Kuhl) who has won five of the seven I-CUP XC races had a slow start and was caught behind traffic in the initial singletrack allowing the lead trio to get away.

Although Lythgoe said after the race that she wasn’t sure she would be able to catch up to the leaders, in actuality it didn’t take her long; as soon as the course opened up she closed the gap and was in her usual position of contending for the win.  The pace remained high and Anders dropped back on the 2nd lap ultimately getting caught by KC Holley (Kuhl).  At the front, Lythgoe was able to build a small, but comfortable lead on the final lap ultimately taking the win by less than a minute over Haley Batten.

Behind Lythgoe, Tittensor was chasing Batten down the final rocky descent.  Just as she made contact, the trail kicked up again and Batten climbed away to the finish.  Holley finished a strong 4th with Anders close behind in 5th.

Although he mainly races on the road Rob Squire never disappoints on dirt - Photo by Angie Harker

Although he mainly races on the road Rob Squire never disappoints on dirt – Photo by Angie Harker

In the Pro Men’s race, Cypress Gorry, the 2014 collegiate XC and STXC National Champ and junior Carson Beckett represented Whole Athlete.  Hincapie/Holowesko roadie and sometimes mountain bike badass Robbie Squire was on hand as was the always competitive Revolution racers Drew Free and Justin Desilets.

Off the start, the trio of Robbie Squire, Drew Free, and Cypress Gorry quickly established themselves at the front.

The leaders rode together until Gorry flatted on the 2nd of 4 laps.  He was able to repair his tire and move back into third place only to flat again toward the end of the race ultimately dropping back to 6th.

Meanwhile, Squire and Free stayed within 15 seconds of each other until the fourth and final lap where Squire, who clearly saved something for the last lap, rode away on the first climb of the final lap and ultimately finished with a 1:30 gap.  Whole Athlete junior, Carson Beckett, finished 3rd followed by Chris Holley (Kuhl) and Justin Desilets (Revolution) to round out the podium.

Click Here for full results from all categories

Intermountain Cup Deer Valley – Deer Valley, Utah

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Jamey Driscoll and Nicole Tittensor Conquer Deer Valley

Written by: Shannon Boffeli

For the second race in a row on the Intermountain Cup (I-Cup) schedule the threat of rain and cold temperatures gave way to dry conditions and perfect racing temps.

This time racers were taking on the classic singeltrack circuits of long-time NORBA nationals hotspot Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. An extremely fast racecourse with ripping-fast descents and endless blind corners challenged riders of all levels.

The appearance of national cyclocross superstar Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh/Clement) had the pro men’s field buzzing before the start.

Jamey Driscoll out front in Deer Valley. Photo by: Angie Harker

Jamey Driscoll out front in Deer Valley. Photo by: Angie Harker

Driscoll’s presence was obvious right from the start as the field sprinted up the interminably steep Little Stick climb like it was flat ground.

To everyone’s surprise it was Mike Sampson (Summit Bike Club) taking the early lead in the first half of lap one. If Driscoll was surprised he certainly didn’t get nervous in the second spot, bidding his time and taking the lead by the end of the first of four laps.

Sampson and Driscoll battled at the front opening a large gap as Mitchell Peterson (Canyon Bicycles) winner of the last I-Cup race struggled to recover from a slow start. Peterson had a legitimate excuse for starting slow as the Canyon rider had finished his winning run in the Big Cottonwood Hill Climb mere hours before taking the start in Deer Valley. Peterson didn’t even have time to take the number plate off his back before starting on the dirt.

Jamey Driscoll didn’t have tired legs though as he powered through the course. Sampson wasn’t about to give up even against a big-name talent like Driscoll.

“On the last lap I couldn’t feel like legs cramping yet,” Sampson said after the race. “I like to push myself until I cramp so I knew I had to go harder.”

Mike Sampson - Photo by: Angie Harker

Mike Sampson – Photo by: Angie Harker

Sampson stayed on the gas and brought himself within seconds of the Raleigh/Clement leader but Driscoll is a seasoned pro and will let riders get close having faith that his superior fitness will see him across the line and once again, it did.

Jamey Driscoll took the win just 14 seconds in front of the surprising Mike Sampson.

Mitchell Peterson showed his amazing fitness working his way up to third at the fnish just in front of Chris Holley (Kuhl) who outsprinted Jeff Bender (Bender Brothers Racing) for fourth while Bender took fifth.

The women’s race featured a huge prerace favorite as well in the form of Joey Lythgoe (Kuhl). Lythgoe has dominated the series this season winning all but one race on the I-Cup schedule.

Lythgoe started off strong, surging to the lead using her elite climbing style. She quickly established herself in a familiar position; off the front.

Nicole Tittensor on her way to her first-ever I-Cup win. Photo by: Angie Harker

Nicole Tittensor on her way to her first-ever I-Cup win. Photo by: Angie Harker

Nicole Tittensor (Revolution/Peak Fasteners) dug deep to stay close to the lone leader keeping her in sight for most of the first lap at which point her persistence paid off as Lythgoe flatted on the first long descent of lap two.

Tittensor was close enough to take advantage of the leader’s misfortune and moved herself into the lead position. Now in front, Tittensor took full advantage of her position and showed everyone else that her form is rapidly improving.

Tittensor climbed her way farther and farther out front finally finishing with an advantage of over 3 minutes on second-placed Meghan Sheridan (UtahMountainBiking.com).

KC Holley (Kuhl) turned in one of her best performances of the year taking third over Erica Powers (Revolution/Peak Fasteners) in fourth and Jen Hanks (Pivot/Epic Brewing) in fifth.

Joey Lythgoe was unable to recover from her flat tire and withdrew from the race.

Click Here for full results from all categories

 

Stan Crane Memorial – Draper, Utah

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Mitchell Peterson and Joey Lythgoe Climb to the Top of the Podium in Corner Canyon

Written by: Shannon Boffeli

Draper Utah’s, Corner Canyon played host to the fourth round of the 2015 Intermountain Cup with the Memorial Day classic Stan Crane Memorial.

Early morning showers cleared just in time for the large collection of intrepid racers gathered to attack Corner Canyon’s ever-evolving singletrack selections.

Race directors did an excellent job of choosing the sandier trails in Draper. They chose surfaces capable of handling the spring rains while throwing in an all-new technical descent with A and B-line options to accommodate all level of riders.

Drew Free drops into the A-line descent. Photo by Angie Harker

Drew Free drops into the A-line descent. Photo by Angie Harker

Once again Kelly Peterson and Bryson Perry wove together a masterful selection of trails that jacked the excitement level and brought in one of the largest fields of racers in recent history with 318 riders in attendance.

The pro and semi-pro men got off to a clean start at 11:30 with Mitchell Peterson (Canyon Bicycles) floating to the front highlighting his effortless climbing style.

Long open sections of climbing early in the race helped Peterson establish himself off the front until a mishap at the end of lap two left him wadded up with a lapped rider in the A-line downhill section.

“I lost a lot of time because my bars got twisted in the crash,” Peterson remarked. “I kept asking people who went by if they had a multi-tool I could use to fix it and then I remembered, I have a multi-tool in my pocket.”

Having dropped back into second place Peterson remounted now focused on catching the leader Drew Free (Revolution/Peak Fasteners).

Within half a lap he was back out front once again passing Free on another long climbing section.

Now in second Free had his hands full trying to hold off a group of 5 riders bearing down on him.

Chris Holley (Kuhl) would get the closest to the Revolution rider, almost making contact on the early climbs of the final lap but couldn’t hang on as Free shredded the scary-fast singletrack descents leading back to the finish.

Free wasn’t fast enough to catch Peterson who comfortably took the win in his first mountain bike race in over a year.

Free crossed the line second just twenty-one seconds in front of Holley who held just a handful of seconds advantage over Kevin Day (Endurance 360) who took fourth.

Josh Whitney (Evol) finished off a strong day in fifth place.

Joey Lythgoe enjoying her time out front. Photo by Angie Harker

Joey Lythgoe enjoying her time out front. Photo by Angie Harker

The pro women’s event touched off with a significantly more hectic start as several riders tangled while sprinting for the singletrack holeshot. Pivot/Epic Brewing rider Jen Hanks hit the pavement hard just before reaching the dirt.

The early crash didn’t slow down race favorite Joey Lythgoe (Kuhl) though. Lythgoe has won two races on the ICup XC schedule already this year and excels at the climbing courses like Corner Canyon.

She certainly didn’t disappoint as she established an early lead and never let off the gas throughout the nearly 2 hour race.

Lythgoe powered her way ahead on the climbs and was quick enough on the descents to hold off Stan’s NoTubes racer Sarah Kaufmann who was fresh off a Super-D race win on Saturday.

While Kaufmann did some damage on the downhills it wasn’t enough to close the gap on the lone leader.

Lythgoe’s all-around skill proved too much for everyone else as she cruised to her third ICup win of 2015.

Kaufmann rolled in second with a comfortable margin over third place.

Jen Hanks leads Erika Powers through the rocks on the A-line. Photo by Angie Harker

Jen Hanks leads Erika Powers through the rocks on the A-line. Photo by Angie Harker

Nicole Tittensor (Revolution/Peak Fasteners) occupied the third spot for most of the race holding off a late-race charge from Jen Hanks who mounted an impressive recovery after a heavy fall onto her left side 30-seconds into the race.

Utah Mountain Biking’s Meghan Sheridan held off her own late race challenge from Erika Powers to take the final podium spot.

Spirits were high following the event as all participants shared stories about the race and the challenging aspects of the top-notch racecourse. An after race BBQ was hosted by Revolution Bicycles in honor of former team member Stan Crane who passed away unexpectedly in 2006 from an undiagnosed heart defect.

Click Here for full results from all categories

Podium spots come with stacks of cash at the Intermountain Cup. Photo by Angie Harker

Podium spots come with stacks of cash at the Intermountain Cup. Photo by Angie Harker

Thaw Massacre – Moab, Utah

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Justin Lindine and Joey Lythgoe Take the Inaugural Thaw Massacre

written by: Shannon Boffeli

The Thaw Massacre, Utah’s newest mountain bike race, launched yesterday in Moab, Utah. Starting at the Bar M trailhead, just north of town, riders tested their early-season fitness on a technically challenging and sometimes bone-rattling 40-mile course.

The ride included trails that tested every rider’s bike handling skills including Deadman’s Ridge and Long Branch and others like Rockin’ A and Circle O determined who had been doing their core workouts over the winter. Each 20-mile lap sprinkled in just enough fast, flowing singletrack to keep racers smiling.

Justin Lindine solos his way to a win in Moab - photo by Angie Harker

Justin Lindine solos his way to a win in Moab – photo by Angie Harker

Despite the difficult terrain riders still turned in crazy-fast lap times with Competitive Cyclist rider Justin Lindine throwing down the fastest time of the day at just 3 hours 7 minutes.

Lindine powered away from the Colorado duo of Bryan Alders (Training Peaks/Yeti) and Chris Baddick (Boulder Cycle Sport).

Together for most of the race, Alders and Baddick were finally separated on their second trip through the unrelenting slickrock of Circle O. Baddick inched just far enough out front that Alders was unable to make contact before the finish.

The slickrock also determined the final podium spots for the men as fifth-placed rider John Osguthorpe (Endurance 360) surged past Drew Free (Revolution/Peak Fasteners) on the unforgiving bumps and drops of Circle O.

The top pro men, women, and semi-pros took home stacks of cash - photo by Shannon Boffeli

The top pro men, women, and semi-pros took home stacks of cash – photo by Shannon Boffeli

The women’s race featured an impressive group of Utah’s toughest female riders. Each one experienced at hammering tough desert racecourses.

Off the start it was Joey Lythgoe (Kuhl) moving off the front in typical fashion. Unlike previous races she wasn’t alone as Jen Hanks (Pivot/Epic Brewing) stayed close behind finally making contact in the rock-crawling sections of Deadman’s Ridge.

The gap stayed small throughout the opening lap as Lythgoe held just a 90-second advantage at the end of lap one.

The Kuhl rider’s elite-level fitness took over at this point as Lythgoe continued to power through her second 20-mile lap increasing her advantage with every mile.

She crossed the line with just over 6 minutes advantage on an exhausted Jen Hanks. Lythgoe was the only women to finish the race under 4 hours at 3 hours 56 minutes.

Hanks took second, tired but happy with her performance.

KC Holley (Kuhl) finished third turning in a strong performance in her favorite riding environment. Debbie Mortensen (Diamond Peak) finished fourth.

Thaw Massacre represented the opening round of the 4-race endurance series hosted by the Intermountain Cup. The next race on the endurance calendar is a two-day stage race, the Stan Crane Memorial, in Draper, Utah, May 23rd and 25th. Click here for more information or the entire Intermountain Cup schedule

 

Results

Pro Men

1, Justin Lindine Competitive Cyclist 3.07.02
2, Chris Baddick Boulder Cycle Sport 3.13.19
3, Bryan Alders Training Peaks/Yeti 3.18.00
4, John Osguthorpe Endurance 360 3.26.11
5, Drew Free Revolution/Peak Fasteners 3.26.45
6, Justin Desilets Revolution/Peak Fasteners 3.32.03
7, Dan Sturm 3.33.30
8, Samuel Dolzani 3.37.08
9, Kris Ochs 3.40.25
10, Jason Hilimire FasCat 3.48.07
11, Ty Hansen Revolution/Peak Fasteners 3.50.28
12, Matthew Turner Summit Bike Club

 

Pro Women

1, Joey Lythgoe Kuhl 3.56.15
2, Jen Hanks Pivot/Epic Brewing 4.03.45
3, KC Holley Kuhl 4.07.15
4, Debbie Mortensen Diamond Peak

 

Semi-Pro Men

1, Dennis Barrett Bountiful Bicycles 3.33.40
2, Ryan Blaney Kuhl 3.37.54
3, Stewart Goodwin Kuhl 3.38.21
4, Bob Saffell Revolution/Peak Fasteners 3.53.50
5, Justin Healy 3.57.33
6, Mitt Stewart UtahMountainBiking.com 3.58.44
7, Josh Mortensen Diamond Peak 4.07.25