| Mt Snow, VT |
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The prominent East Coast Trek/VW/JBL Factory Team raced throughout the weekend in the NORBA National Championship Series finals held at Mt Snow, Vermont. With thousands of racers and cycling fans gathered for the culmination of the year’s national series, there couldn’t have been a larger crowd to impress. The pro women’s cross country mountain bike race kicked off the events Friday morning. The women’s field faced extreme conditions as they competed under the high midday sun. While many of the pro racers were unable to withstand the demanding combination of the heat and competition, Trek/VW/JBL rider, Kristine Oesterling, raced her way through the technically difficult course in true Factory Team style. Oesterling arrived at the finish in 31st place, her personal best in a national series event. Continuing success marks Oesterling’s season, as she has moved up in her placing at each event in this her first year racing with the East Coast Factory Team. |
| Trek/VW/JBL riders in the men’s pro and semi-pro races also met great successes. Teammates Chris Eatough and Jeremiah Bishop set off the start line in the pro race Friday afternoon with an impressive field of ninety competitors. The two Trek riders found themselves crowd favorites. This was their first race in front of their east coast fans since their recent return from competition in the European Transalp Challenge. Eatough had an outstanding start as he moved forward in the fiercely competitive field. He was the first of the Trek duo to arrive at the crowd pleasing and treacherous downhill section on the racecourse. As the eager crowd saw the red and black of the Factory Team’s jersey, energetic cheers and yells filled the air. Meanwhile, a few minutes behind, Bishop was picking his way forward through the field of racers, making up time lost to a crowded starting position. The Trek/VW/JBL teammates were showing signs that both their fitness and technical prowess were unquestionably fierce. The east coast crowd grew more excited each lap as Bishop seemed to be getting faster and faster. When the rider moved into a top ten spot among the racers, it seemed he would be secure in achieving a career best finish. Bishop did not settle for maintaining his placing at that, instead he pushed himself further and was able to excel toward the front of the world-class field. Eatough was still riding strong. |  Jeremiah Bishop |
Though he encountered an unfortunate mechanical mid-race he fought back with his trademark determination to regain a spot among the top riders. The cheering fans excitedly awaited the arrival of the riders at the finish line as Vermont sky opened up with a torrential rainstorm. A most exciting moment of the race was the instant that the crowd saw Trek/VW/JBL East Coast’s Jeremiah Bishop accompanied by the International Trek/VW team member, Travis Brown, round the final corner to the finish stretch. In a sprint to the line, Bishop arrived in an amazing 6th place and had secured himself in the top ten for his personal best National Series finish. Only moments later, fellow teammate and reigning World Solo 24-Hour of Adrenaline Champion, Chris Eatough crossed the line in an impressive 22nd place. The Trek riders placed 16th and 15th, respectively in the National Series overall standings.
In the men’s semi-pro season finale on Sunday, David Duvall finished with inspiring fashion. Trek/VW/JBL Factory Team’s original racer battled for the finish by finding his rhythm in a smooth steady ride. Though the race’s start exploded in a crazily fast struggle for the lead, Duvall found success in his consistency throughout the entire event. After the first lap he was able to pick off riders one or two at a time on each of the course’s major climbs, and catch another one on each downhill. With his excellent passing speeds and strong momentum, Duvall attacked the slick, rooty course as he moved into a top five position. The semi-pro field was met with crowded conditions on the racecourse as the leaders caught and lapped other riders. Duvall encountered a tricky downhill area with a mass of riders and suffered an unlucky crashed that left him with a badly injured right leg. Though the Trek rider was miles from the race’s end, he showed his remarkable willpower and strength as he pressed on towards the finish. Duvall was able to maintain his top ten placing as he crossed the finish line in ninth. He was obviously pained by his injury but Duvall’s finish proved that he was a sturdy competitor to watch.