Gallery: Canada Cup showdown at Sun Peaks

It has been five years since Sun Peaks hosted a major public downhill race and, after a long time away, racers were thrilled to be back between the tape at the Kamloops-area resort for Canada Cup finals.

A long rough track was beat up bikes and bodies all weekend and many racers were spotted riding out flats to try make it to the finish line.

Also the last Dunbar Summer Series event of 2023, the Sun Peaks Canada Cup sold out early and and kept going at a frantic pace all weekend. Eventually, new and worthy champions tamed the deep dust and high-speed rocks to earn wins and overall titles for the season.

Gallery: 2023 Canada Cup / Dunbar Summer Series finals

Anthony Shelly on his way to second in U17 men.. Photo: Sara Kempner

Caileigh Koppang had a blistering fast time on her way to winning the U15 women's race! Photo: Sara Kempner

Sebastian Harrison earned another U15 men's win on Sunday. Photo: Sara Kempner

We Are One's founder Dustin Adams couldn't resist racing the brand's new prototype DH bike at his home track (and won the Men's 35-44 race). Photo: Sara Kempner

Chris Canfield dropped in to win the Men's 45-54. Photo: Sara Kempner

Donald Van Eesteren earned another Men's 55+ win. Photo: Sara Kempner

Natasha Frank held down the women's Sport/Expert category all year at the Dunbar Summer Series, and earned the Specialized draw prize for her efforts. Photo: Sara Kempner

Shane Gayton put in a very fast time for the Master's 35+ race win. Photo: Sara Kempner

Jack Pelland keeping it low on his way to third in elite men. Photo: Sara Kempner

Cole Gautry won the U17 sport men's race. Photo: Sara Kempner

Noah Rubuliak sprinted to second in the junior men's race. Photo: Sar Kempner

Gabe Neron gets after it in practice. Photo: Sara Kempner

Launch? Or roll? Sun Peaks offered both options, if you had the speed. Photo: Andrea Heath

Another launch or sprint option at the finish line. Christopher Beaton making the correct choice. Photo: Andrea Heath

Stoked on Sun Peaks returning to the Dunbar Summer Series. Photo: Sara Kempner

2023 Canada Cup champions Sofi Lawrence, Gabe Neron and Ainhoa Ijurko (missing: Brock Hawes). Photo: Sara Kempner

Someone had to clean all the ginger ale off that podium. Oof. Photo: Sara Kempner

Junior's ginger ale podiums were aggressive. Photo: Sara Kempner

Emmy Lan welcomes Nicole Kennedy onto the elite women's podium. Photo: Sara Kempner

C4 takes the team award. Photo: Sara Kempner

And the elite men's podium, pre-champagne. Photo: Sara Kempner

Dunbar Summer Series is currently scheduled to bring even more excitement to Sun Peaks Bike Park next year. The long-running downhill series will ramp up the excitement by hosting 2024 Canadian downhill national championships at the Kamloops-area reasort. If this year is any indication, the course will be fast, loose and a really good time.