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NORBA NATIONAL - SNOWSHOE, WV
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The Trek/VW/JBL Factory Team had a major presence at the Norba national championship series event at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia over June 21-23. Our team expo area was set up right next to the Trek/VW national team, and we had the opportunity to reach hundreds of cycling fans as they stopped by to check out the team's Fuel race bikes, pick up swag and info, hear and feel the sounds pumping out of our mega watt JBL stereo system, and register to win a Fuel themselves from Platypus Hydration Packs. Although there were dozens of events happening over the three day event, there were just two on the minds of the Factory team racers; the pro cross country and short track races. Our riders took the day on Thursday to get their equipment dialed in to perfection and to familiarize themselves with the gnarly descents and brutal climbs of the course. Tire selection and pressure were critical, and there were precious few opportunities to make passing moves, so riders had to know the course well. The women's race was at 11 am Friday and the men's at 2 pm, so Friday morning was a bustle of activity at the trailer. Racing in the pro women's event was local PA hero Kristine Oesterling. She rode an amazing race against the top riders in the world to finish in 41st position. The men's race brought a best ever finish for any factory team rider in the men's pro XC with Chris Eatough riding to an impressive 8th place finish. His teammates Jeremiah Bishop and Mike West rode to 46th and 31st place respectively out of a field of nearly 100. Jeremiah flatted twice, repairing the first and having to ride the second flat the rest of his last lap and across the finish line.
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The short track XC races were the next day, and all the Trek factory team riders
were tired from the pro XC effort, but each gave amazing performances in that
event as well. In both the men's and women's races, the pace was set early by
the top pros and was blistering. Only 15 of the 58 starters in the men's race
finished with the leaders and only 8 of the 42 starters in the women's race.
Sunday morning saw the start of the semi pro and expert races, and several more
Trek factory team racers suited up to put their efforts forth in those events.
Sunday afternoon brought the men's pro downhill finals, and tons of spectators
, to the other side of the mountain. Team mechanic Sean Langeheine and I waited
till the races had begun and then began the long process of packing up our expo
area and preparing to bring it all out again in a week at the 11th annual 24
hours of Snowshoe MTB relay race.
Some other noteworthy finishes include,
Recent factory team graduate and now national Trek team star Sue Haywood had
an incredible weekend finishing 7th in the women's pro XC and 4th in the pro
short track!
Paul Smith finished fourth in the men's expert downhill, racing his Trek Diesel
downhill bike
Jon Canfield of the West Coast Trek/VW/JBL team competed well in both expert
downhill and dual slalom
Nick Martin of the Rocky Mountain team, Doug Swanson of the Midwest team, Earl
Bradley of the Southeast team and David Duvall of the East Coast team all had
solid rides in the men's semi-pro and expert races
Rachel Mirvish of the Rocky Mountain team rode to an impressive ninth place
finish in the women's expert race.
Jon Devine of the Trek/VW/JBL Midwest team handily won the junior expert race
with a 3:18 lead over second place
I stayed the week at Snowshoe with Chris Eatough and we had the opportunity
to go on several great rides, on road and off. It was a treat to ride the 24
hour course a couple of times and see what the team would be up against for
the coming weekend. The course was just as I remember it, relentless, with tough
climbs and wildly technical and challenging sections that took every ounce of
skill and control to negotiate successfully. I was glad I was managing this
year and wouldn't have to pit myself against this terrain at race level effort
several times in one day.
The 24 hour weekend crept up quickly, and the team was soon together again at
Snowshoe mountain for the biggest event on our calendar, the 24 hours of Snowshoe.
We would compete in the top Co-ed Pro-Am class, teams comprised of expert and
pro riders, two men and two women. The winners' purse was $6,000 and a huge,
gorgeous trophy known as the crystal cog. It is a nearly two foot diameter crystal
cut in the shape of a 24 tooth granny gear chain ring, and emblazoned with the
Granny Gear Racing logo and title of Pro-am champion.
Stay tuned for the play by play account of the 24 hour race, to be written tomorrow
morning.
If you can't wait, check out www.grannygear.com for the scoop!
Extra thanks to
All our sponsors including Volkswagen, JBL, Chris King, Nike, Hayes Brakes,
Powerbar, Zeal eyewear, SRAM, Saris, Rockshox and Fox Racing Shocks
Erin North, for helping a ton in the feed areas and generally everywhere else
Joe's Bike Shop, for setting us up with last minute supplies and letting me
have the week off
Bill and Georgie Bray, for allowing us to use their beautiful Snowshoe condominium.
Michael from Zeal Optics, for support during the races and protection for our
eyes from the sun
Paul Smith and Phillip Chilimindras for helping a bunch with set up and tear
down of our venue
Sorry if I have left anyone out - it has been a busy week!
Jonathan Posner
Trek/VW/JBL East Coast Factory Team
Joe's Bike Shop, Mt. Washington, Baltimore, MD