Race Report: 2023 Race #1 // Port angeles
It's the start of April and in the PNW that means there's light outside after a long day of work. It also means the start of the NW Cup race season! Mountain bike racers have been itching to compete since our finals in Port Angeles back in September, and the season opener did not disappoint. Over the winter NW Cup's very own Scott Tucker, with help from Luke Strobel and Matt Orlando, set out to give our racers a fresh-cut experience out at Dry Hill.
Team Points
Over the course of the weekend, teams selected their roster and competed against each other in a race to secure the most points. Sweet Lines ended up leading the pack with an outstanding performance, securing 230 points. The Lenny’s Bike Shop team came in second place, while Galbraith Gravity Racing rounded off the top three. It was an exciting weekend of racing, with every team displaying their skills and determination. With five more rounds to go, we can expect even more fierce competition as teams fight for the coveted NW Cup title.
Cat 3
Cat 3 racers got a new upper track section with Mini Muffin splitting off of Muffin top. A little tighter, but still with amazing flow, and an awesome table at the end, they had some new lines to learn, and a great way to learn to hold speed.
Cat 2
Cat 2 wasn't left out with the chance to race King Diamond for some tech up top, and then a couple of new sections through the middle. Line choices and flow abounded with fresh berms and some open speed. Some new tech kept everyone on their toes.
Specialized Delivered
Finally, the Pros showed up to an entirely new track top to bottom thanks to some generous support from Specialized. Luke Strobel and Matt Orlando helped out with design and building to provide a track with a multitude of line choices, flow, steep, and tech. And boy did it deliver! The puzzling started on day one for all the riders, and even by Sunday at race time, when Mother Nature decided that a deluge should start during the Junior Women, riders were still figuring it out. At the end of the day Tegan Cruz and Anna Newkirk took home the wins.
Smiles were all over the pits, regardless of the weather, and everyone is excited for round two in May! We can't wait to see everyone out at Dry Hill again for round 2.
Drink From The Cup.
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