Race Report: 2026 Race 4 // Whitefish

Race Report2026 Series Race Report

Jul 1

Words and Photos by Patrik Zuest

The first stop of the 2026 NW Cup Summer Road Trip is in the books!

Nearly 400 racers made the trip to Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana for an unforgettable weekend of racing. Whitefish has quickly become a favorite stop on the NW Cup calendar, and once again it delivered everything we've come to expect—great trails, incredible scenery, and a welcoming community that makes everyone feel right at home.

View Overall Results

View Seeding Results

Event Pictures

Team Standings

Mt Si Mtb - 147 pts
GGR - 130 pts
Mission 6 - 125 pts
Sweetlines - 125 pts
Lennys - 122 pts

Montana’s mood swings

If there was one constant throughout the weekend, it was that the weather refused to settle on just one season. Sunshine gave way to dark clouds, which turned into torrential downpours before the sun returned once again. Riders experienced just about every type of weather Montana could throw at them, and the constantly changing conditions kept everyone guessing from practice through race day.

Whitefish always has a relaxed atmosphere off the bike, but once the timing lights turned green, the competition was anything but casual.
The weather saved its biggest challenge for last. As the Pro fields prepared for their final runs, the skies opened up, bringing the heaviest rain of the entire weekend. With the track changing by the minute, riders had to balance speed with precision on a course that became more unpredictable with every run.

The Field was stacked.

In the **Pro Women's** race, **Taylor Ostgaard** proved she could handle whatever the mountain threw at her, qualifying first before backing it up with the fastest run in finals to complete a perfect **1-and-1** weekend.
The **Pro Men's** field was just as exciting. **Jagger Bucy** earned the top qualifying position with an impressive run on Saturday, but it was **Connor Casler**, qualifying second, who rose to the occasion when conditions were at their worst. Charging through the pouring rain, Casler laid down the fastest finals run to take the Pro Men's victory, while Bucy finished a strong second after leading the field in qualifying.

With another outstanding weekend complete, the NW Cup Summer Road Trip rolls on. Next up, the series heads south to Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho, where another fast, technical course and another great weekend of racing await. If Whitefish was any indication, the rest of the road trip is shaping up to be one to remember.