Bouchar and Frew repeat as Dunbar Summer Series rolls through Panorama

Canada Cup racing migrated north to Panorama for a mid-week race, after a dusty start in Fernie over the weekend. Claire Bouchar and Jackson Frew doubled up, both repeating their wins from Sunday by taking the top step again on Wednesday.

With three races in just over a week, riders are digging in for a big effort. Panorama isn’t exactly a “chill” mid-week race, though. It’s still a full-on Canada Cup-level course. The infamous Wall Street made a few riders pay, taking out at least one potential podium contender and slowing down practice day.

Amanda Timm on her second winning run this week. Photo: Niall Pinder

Gustavo Ortiz kicks up the dust on his way to winning the men's aMTB event. Photo: Niall Pinder

aMTB powers through Panorama

By Wednesday, racers had lines more-or-less dialed, and were up to speed. Adaptive riders were first on course and showed both how demanding the track is and that they were up to the challenge. After winning in Fernie, Wufky Crosby crashed hard during his Panorama race run. The Reno, N.V. rider still managed to find the podium, crossing the line third with a near-tacoed wheel and still 0.03 seconds off of silver medal winner Landon McGauley.

Chile’s Gustavo Ortiz, though, rolled across the line with a commanding lead in the men’s aMTB event. After self-reporting a course violation in Fernie on what would have been a podium-finish time, Ortiz kept it between the tape and very fast, posting a 34-second victory in Panorama. McGauley, Crosby, Ethan Krueger and Samson Daniels join Otiz on the podium.

On the women’s side, Canmore’s Amanda Timm lands back-to-back wins at the Dunbar Summer Series. Sierra Roth follows in second, improving her time from the same event last year.

Claire Buchar on course in Panorama. Photo: Niall Pinder

Brett Tippie congratulates Jackson Few in Panorama. Photo: NIall Pinner

Elite repeats

Wendesday’s pro/elite races saw two veteran riders repeat their victories from Sunday. Multi-time national champion Claire Buchar and Gowrie, Australia’s Jackson Frew add top the Panorama podium after winning in Fernie.

Bouchar was flanked on the podium by Bailey Goldstone (Specialized), the Canada Cup leader coming into Panorama and Tori Wood (Corsa).

On the men’s side, Jackson Frew takes his second win of the week, and first since taking over the Canada Cup leader’s jersey in Fernie. Gabe Neron and Jack Pelland take second and third for the Dunbar Cycles team. Kendal McLean (Specialized) and Bromont, Que.’s Sam Thibault found ou the podium in fourth and fifth.

Junior and Under-17

The battle for best of Canada’s next-generation was hard-fought in Panorama. Brock Hawes (Graviti Driven) repeats his win from Fernie but by only 0.07 seconds ahead of Elijah Barron (Gravity MTB), recently returned from racing in Europe. Rasaire Watson (Hewdog Racing), Henry Sherry (Dunbar) and Spencer Young join in third, fourth and fifth.

Emmy Lan (Norco Factory Team) keeps her 2022 winning streak going with a junior women’s win, and the second fastest women’s time of the day. Eva Leikermoser (Gravity MTB) and Sophia Ervington (Corsa) are second and third with Elly Hoskin and Emma Wilson in fourth and fifth.

In the under-17 race, Wyatt Herrington lands the win. Ryan Griffith holds off Lewis Allbon for second by a scant 0.02 seconds.  Jon Mozell crossed 0.14 back of Allbon, putting second through fourth all within a quarter of a second. Jack MacLeod takes fifth.