Weekend wrap up: O-Cup to Island Cup
It was a busy weekend of racing across Canada, from Woodnewton to Cumberland
Spring has properly sprung across Canada, which means it’s time for racing season to kick into high gear. After a string of early season events out west, from Bear Mountain Canada Cup to California Pro XCT rounds and a couple Pro GRT downhill races, this was the first weekend of racing closer to home for Alberta and Ontario athletes. Out in B.C., there was a flurry of events, from XC marathon to downhill and enduro. On top of all that, Maghalie Rochette doubled down to win both days of racing at the third round of Pro XCT racing at Soldier Hollow in Utah.
Woodnewton Ontario Cup XCO Elite Men's podium Image: Superfly Racing
Cory Purchase on his way to winning Masters Sport Men (30-39) Image: Superfly Racing
Kelly Lawson (Hardwood Next Wave) raced to 3rd in Cadet Expert Girls Image: Superfly Racing
Ontario Cup #1 – Woodnewton XCO
After Mansfield Park XCO had to be rescheduled due to weather, it fell to Woodnewton to host the O-Cup XCO season opener. A new track for 2018 gave the course a fresh feel, and a new crop of riders showed their faces at the front of the race. Last years U23 national champion Jenn Jackson (AWI Racing) took home the Elite Women’s win ahead of Heather Gray in second and Soren Meeusisse (Trek Store CC). In the Men’s race the local’s dominated the podium, with Durham Shredders Malcolm Barton in first and Tyler Orschel in third. Sandwiched between the two was Trek Store CC’s Peter Glassford. Dylan Kerr (AJ’s Evolution p/b Norco) and Kaitlyn Shikaze (Oakville Cyclepath) came out on top in the Junior Expert category. Full Woodnewton results.
RELATED: Jenn Jackson is back on the bike, and ready for the new year
B.C. Premier Series XCM #1 / XCO #2 – Coaster 50 (Sechelt, B.C.)
It was a double round of B.C. Premier Series racing on the Sunshine Coast this weekend, as racers had the choice between racing the full Coaster 50 XCM course or a shorter XCO distance loop. Félix Burke (Rocky Mountain Bicycles) edged out a fast pair of Juniors to take the first XCM series win of 2018, with Cumberland, B.C.’s Carter Woods (RMB / CyclingBC) and Pendrel Racing’s Holden Jones close behind and Corey Wallace (Kona Factory Team) and Jamie Sparling (Tantalus) in fourth and fifth. Sandra Walter (Liv Cycling) took top honours in the Elite Women’s XCM with Elissa Lok (Corsa) and Sunshine Coast locals Katherine Short, Katelyn Button and Lucy Shick filling out the podium.
Emilly Johnston (Trek BC Devo) won the Elite Women’s XCO while Hamish Graham took the short course Men’s race. Full Coaster 50 results.
RELATED: Interview: Félix Burke talks riding, racing, and rally cars
Pro GRT Series #3 – Dry Hill (Port Angeles, Washington)
Just south of the border, Magnus Manson defended his Dry Hill title from round 2 of Pro GRT racing, winning the Pro Men’s UCI C1 race over Demetri Triantafillou (Transition, EVO) and Luke Strobel (Evil Bikes) when the series made it’s second visit to Port Angeles in 2018. Between his two victories in the national Pro GRT series, Manson stopped by the Lošinj World Cup downhill race, where he placed an impressive 30th in the incredibly deep Elite Men’s field. Norco’s Jill Kintner won the Pro Women’s race ahead of Kamloops Kyleigh Steward (Commencal Canada) and Portland’s Sarah Olsen (Cyclepath PDX). Results NWCup.com
Alberta Cup XC #1 – Coulee Cruiser (Lethbridge, Alta)
Up high in the mountains the Alberta ski hills are still wrapping up a stellar snow year, but down in the foothills Alberta trail conditions are near perfect right now. A new Coulee Cruiser course and warm weather greeted racers for the first round of Alberta Cup XC racing. Hopping over the border from Fernie, B.C., Carter Nieuwesteeg (Santa Cruz Bicycles) took the Elite Men’s win ahead of David Yexley (Bicisport) and Michael Vereda (Juventus). RMCC’s Brittany Webster won the Elite Women’s race ahead of Sidney McGill (Focus CX Canada) and Alana Heise (Terrascape Racing). Full results can be viewed at ABA.
Island Cup – DCDH (Cumberland, B.C.)
Downhill racing has been making a resurgence on Vancouver Island and, after years of DCDH holding down the fort as the lone Island event, the Island Cup series has expanded to host three downhill events this season. Dodge City Downhill kicked off the season on the classic Cumberland course over the weekend, and the youth showed they’re ready to step up. Jake Innes (Dunbar Cycles) won Elite Men, ahead Kovarik Racing’s Kendall McLean, with Nicholas Court behind in third, while Sooke’s Piper Allman (Kovarik Racing RD Team) took home the Elite Women’s win ahead of Christina Hurley and Mical Dyck (Trail Bicycles / Juliana). Full DCDH results.
Marin Wildside Enduro #2 (Kamloops, B.C.)
After opening the Canadian enduro season in Nakusp last weekend, at the same time as PORCA’s Pemberton Enduro was taking place a little further west, the largely Quebec based Marin Wildside Enduro made it’s second B.C. stop at the fast, wide open trails of the Kamloops Bike Ranch. Kayla Morin-Blanchette took home the Elite Women’s win while Vince Faucher won on the Men’s side. The series returns to Quebec in June at the Mont Ste-Marie venue.
