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Arizona Kicks off Race Season in perfect conditions

January 20th, 2015 7:47am

Arizona Kicks off Race Season in perfect conditions

The Mountain Bike season is officially underway with the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona (MBAA) hosting the first round of its seven round cross country and marathon race series.


The series kick off is traditionally held at McDowell Mtn Park which has hosted numerous national races in the past. A fast roller coaster of course, competitors utilized three different loops that reside in the Fountain Hills park. The conditions were perfect for racing and with some recent trail maintenance done, the Sonoran single track was super fast.


The turnout for the kick off was outstanding with 640 racers ready to test their legs. Riders from at least five states showed up to revel in the 60-70 degree temps and fast course.


The Arizona race scene has been really blowing up over the last two seasons thanks largely to the success of the Arizona High School league breathing new life into the sport and a strong board that has added several new venues over the last two years. The student athletes are bringing their parents, siblings and friends into the sport .


The large turnout meant legitimate race groups with 30-50 rides in many classes. The Marathon class was easily the largest class with 78 men and 21 women taking on the 43 mile course.


My personal favorite classes are the beginners and first timers. It is amazing to see people experience their first race and the camaraderie that goes with it. Watching the faces of nervous racers when they hear the 3 minute start call is priceless. Equally as fun is seeing the look on their faces when they cross the finish line for the first time. You know they are hooked and the McDowell track is the perfect course to have your first experience on.


Run like clockwork, the race saw Tyler Coplea and Ryan Geiger pace each other away from the Pro mens field never separated by more than a bike length. Coplea took the win attacking on a short hill out of the wash just a quarter mile from the finish line. Coplea managed to get infront of Geiger before the tight single track finish keep Geiger on his rear wheel to the line. Seasoned veterans Eric Salstrand and
TJ Woodruff could not quite keep the early season pace of the two leaders and took the third and fourth place spots.


Results from the men, womens and Junior events can be viewed and downloaded below.

Mens Results

Womens Results

Junior Results


More Pictures from the race can be seen here.

Find out about other Arizona Races at the official Mountain Bike Association of Arizona website - MBAA.net

 

Pro Start of the MBAA race at McDowell Mtn.

 

Pro and Expert men start - lead by Ryan Geiger (6) start the 2015 season

 

mtb race start at mbaa race 1

 

640 racers showed up to kick off the season resulting in fields 30-50 racers deep.

 

sonoran desert fauna

 

McDowell Mtn Park lights up in the early morning sun.

 

David Flatten US Military Endurance Sorts

 

US Military Endurance Sporst Rider- David Flatten came all the way from Virginia to race the Pro Men.

 

David Erb - flanel

 

David Erb Rocks the Flannel and a wheelie in a big expert mens field. Flannel and a wheelie will get you a photo prop anytime because he is keeping it real...

 

Junior wheelie


The Juniors where well represented on the day, but Mitchell Demyan of Lake Havasu wheelied coming up the uphill without my prompt so he wins rad kid of the day took 5th for his effort

 

tj woodruff on the flow of the sport loop

 

TJ Woodruff rails the swoopy berm section of the sport loop.

 

twisty sport loop racers

 

Toasted Head Pro racer Mike Montalbano (7) and Tim Maddox (34) - Expert 3rd place winding through the sport loop berms.

 

Ivan Volkov of San Tan Racing

 

Ivan Volkov of San Tan Racing on his way to 4th place in expert men

 

pro leaders tyler coplea and ryan geiger

 

Pro Men  Ryan Geiger(9) and Tyler Coplea (446) were on each others wheel the entire race.

 

octanes will westfall

 

The banked berms make for some good lean and interesting shots. William Westfall of GPE/Octane racing

 

16 year old caiden plummer racing expert

 

16 year old Caiden Plummer threw down with the Open expert men and finished an impressive 13th out of 27 racers. Only a high school racer, this kid is fast! I'm sure the other high school racers where happy to see him not in their class.

 

intense pro racing

 

Pros -Mike Montalbano and Dave Flatten keeping it pinned on the final minutes of the race. This was for position.

 

tough climb

 

At the end of any race, every climb is painful.

 

more mtb climbing

 

Head down suffering single speeder Cody Kukulski is heading for home and a solid 5th place finish.

 

new blood high school riders

 

The new wave of High school riders is impressive. These kids can ride and are serious. The AZ Devo team had several strong riders in different classes.

 

More Pictures from the race can be seen here.

 

 

 

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