NORBA NCS #1 -
BIG BEAR
June 1-3, 2001 Big Bear Lake, California
The first race of the American Mountain Bike Series came to the mountains of Southern
California over the weekend. Racers from all over the world gathered to test their
skills and fitness at the 7200ft venue. The cross-country course was the same
as years past, with a long fire-road climb to the apex of the mountain, then a
fast, dusty descent bringing the riders back through the expo area. The women
did 2 laps of the 12 km course while the men did 3 laps making their race a short
36 km. After competing in the cross-country race on Friday , the racers had just
about 24 hours to recover before competing in the much anticipated, spectator-friendly
short course. This track was a fast 500 meters in length and the competitors did
an adrenaline packed 25 minute sprint. The crowd and (most of) the racers love
this event for its sheer gut-busting, oxygen-deprived, pain-induced aspects.
Day 1
The Subaru/Gary Fisher Team lined up its 4 cyclists on Friday for the inaugural
cross-country event. Mary Grigson, who won this event last year and Chrissy Redden
competed in the 80-strong Pro Women's division. Being a shorter than average race
the pace went out fairly quickly up the first 5km ascent. Very early on, Alison
Dunlap (Team GT) took the lead. Mary found herself in the first chase group of
4 women and Chrissy found herself in the 2nd chase group of 5 women. Going into
the 2nd and final climb, Mary gradually reeled in Dunlap, attacked at the top
of the climb and mastered the descent to win the race in 1 hr 28 minutes! Chrissy
managed to make up a little ground and finished just out of the top five in 7th.
Following the women's race, Pavel Cherkasov and Ryder Hesjedal got under way for
their 3 lap race. Off the start an early lead group of 5 established itself with
both the Subaru/Gary Fisher team-mates present. Halfway through the hot 30deg
C race, Kirk Molday attacked and managed to gap the rest of the lead group giving
himself an advantage of 30 seconds. But at the same time, Ryder suffered a broken
chain and had to stop and fix it. Luckily for the team, Ryder always carries a
Pedros chain-tool and fixed his mechanical in record-breaking time. The final
descent saw Pavel in a "Canadian Sandwich", the trio of Roland Green
(Trek/VW), Pavel and Seamus McGrath (Team Haro) raced for 2nd. Kirk Molday came
across the line first with a good gap, Roland 2nd, Pavel claimed 3rd place, Seamus
4th and Ryder (who was still clawing his way back) managed to gain one more position
and steal the remaining spot on the podium, 5th.
Day 2:
Luckily for the thousands of spectators and racers, the temperature on Saturday
was slightly cooler. Racing began at 3pm with 60 women lining up. The pace was
blistering fast. An early lead group formed. Mary was content to sit in, while
her team-mate Chrissy tried to bridge up after a poor start. But the attacks from
Jimena Florit (RLX Polo Sport) and Dunlap were too strong and constant for Redden
to get back in. She eventually finished in the top ten, whereas Mary, trying to
keep the pace steady, finished again on the podium.
The men went off at 3:30 pm. The spectators couldn't believe the pace and the
excitement of all the lead changes. Both Ryder and Pavel established themselves
as the boys not to be played with. The constant attacking and counterattacking
widdled the field down very quickly! On the "bell" lap Seamus took the
lead and it looked like he would take the win, but a motivated Ryder passed his
Canadian team-mate on the final descent and came across the line 1st. Pavel, supporting
his team-mate, also landed himself on the podium.
All-in-all a very exciting and eventful weekend! The Subaru/Gary Fisher team have
remained their No. 1 status in America. But not without the help of our many dedicated
and loyal sponsors!
Special thanks goes to Greg, Darla and Paige Johnson (our host family), Scott
(our team manager), Suzanne (our team soigneur) and Kevin Kelly (our team wrench).
Thanks also to Jen for your moral support. We missed you!!