What can I say the weekend went off great, a couple early showers on saturday morning did little to quash the spirits of all 273 racers who turned out for the Super D provincial champs, DH #5 and ofcourse fundraiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/index.cfm

First and foremost just over $500 was raised for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, an organization committed to providing resources to small, front-line groups that make tremendously effective use of comparatively small amounts of money to fight AIDS in sub Saharan Africa. The toonie toss into the basket of a Kona Afribike was the hit of the weekend, with prizes going out to all how landed a toonie in the basket.

Toonie toss action into the Kona Afribike
photo: old school johnny

When it got down to racing the best put it all on the line for the Super D provincial Championships. A nice long course tested the lungs and skills of all the racers, we had a great course set up using Embryo (one of the best trails at Blue!)
here are some of the results.

Jacob lacosse put down a smokin time winnnig by almost 1:10, nice work. It was worth the drive from Thunder Bay!

Read the rest of this entry �

Racers and racefans, welcome to the unofficial race report from Kris Somers, aka the goodlooking MC from the Ontario Cup series.

Pete was off tending to his ultra-pregnant MsBikealot and expecting a young bikealot’s entrance into the world, so Lee Allen took over the super-managerial duties of the weekend.

photo: old school johnny

And what a weekend it was. Apart from a few fireworks going off in the parking lot (hey, we’re patriotic for Canada day), and a few mild mistranslations with some French riders (I promise to learn how to say “waiver” in French for the next race), both Saturday and Sunday had sick weather with a blasting hot sun that kept the trails mint. Potential Conspiracy - Camp Fortune’s hill staff made a few extra bucks by selling tire tubes to replace all of the ones that got eaten by the sharp rock sections that this hill is known for.

The awesome first-aid staff was on hand to keep bodies patched up (all customers were satsified and were able to continue their riding), and we kept the day going with burger giveaways from our sponsor Harvey’s throughout the day. At least 3 hours of Michael Jackson music was played each day as a tribute to the fallen star.

All eyes and ears, et tous les yeux et les oreilles, were watching this race, as it was a precursor to the upcoming Ontario vs Quebec competition that will be at Camp Fortune in September.

photo: old school johnny

And now…the results.

The race started after a short rain-shower, calming some of the dust and making the conditions perfect.

In Cadet, it was Quebec’s Guillaume Labrie who took home the win, edging out Kyle the “Man Child” by a couple tenths of a second. Alex Gaudon had a solid sub-2:30 time for 3rd place. To show how fast these 3 are, 4th place was another 8 seconds behind Alex!

1 Guillaume Labrie Mercier, QC 2:27.588
2 Kyle Sangers J & J Cycle Kingston 2:27.749
3 Alex Gaudon 2:29.325

In the female open class, Genevieve “The Dominatrix” Gagnon posted a sub-3 minute time to dominate the field. Kristen Courtney, the fastest woman from Ontario was close behind, and the podium was rounded out by Monika Luebke who was quoted as saying “I couldn’t have done it without having dinner at Toscano’s Italian food last-night”.

1 Genevieve Gagnon Chelsea, QC 2:58.870
2 Kristen Courtney Brantford 3:04.557
3 Monika Luebke Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny`s Racing Mississauga 3:38.698

Junior Expert saw a stupid fast time that would have won every category except elite. Philippe Cyrenne Blanchard not only had the most complicated name to make it to the podium on Sunday, but also hit a time of 2:22. 7 seconds behind was Alistair Pimlott, and then another 5 seconds back was Caleb Glithero in third.

1 Philippe Cyrenne Blanchard Lama Cycles/Morewood Drummondville, QC 2:22.113
2 Alistair Pimlott Silent Devinci Toronto 2:29.618
3 Caleb Glithero Kamikaze Racing : Kamikaze Racing Thornbury 2:34.356

Elite was a battle, and one that was won by an experienced warrior. After crawling out of whatever cave he’s been hiding in for the past few OCup races, Pete McLean killed it with a time of 2:18. Dean Tennant made waves, not by his 2nd place time of 2:19, but by going on to win the Moonwalk competition held during the awards ceremony. 3rd place went to Justin “Juice” Brown.

1 907 Peter McLean Primary-Trek Etobicoke 2:18.369
2 139 * Dean Tennant Primary-Trek Sidney, British Columbia 2:19.266
3 26 Justin Brown Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny`s Racing Brampton 2:20.757

Next race is at the legendary Blue Mountain July 11/12

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Greg, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Ski Pro Patrol and staff (Kris and John), Nicky and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:

Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Lapierre Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, POC Protection, Harveys, Fatlip clothing, Industry Bike park, Ontario Cycling Association and X-Fusion shocks.
For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to
http://www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton

Cycle Solutions Ontario Cup Super D #2 & DH #3 P/B Lapierre Bikes Race Preview

Source: Peter Appleton, Sirbikealot Racing

Kelso is back with a couple of unique and testing courses.
First off we have the second installment of Ontario’s first Super D race series.  This Super D course is going to have everything, great pedaling, amazing flow and some great technical sections.  Super D is the perfect race for XC racers, DH racers and everything in between, its a little bit of up and a lot of down.  Perfect for 4, 5 or 6 inch travel bikes!
Secondly we have an amazing DH course on tap, with a super fast and flowy rythmn and jump section starting the course off however things quickly change as you plunge into the steep, rooty “Rock Chute”!

Image by intense

Remember with a 7 race series for DH we are getting into the thick of the season.  For those searching for the overall series points win it will be 6 of 7 races counted towards the overall, so get those points now!
The Super D series will have 3 of 3 races counted towards the overall, so every race counts!

Don’t forget to pre-register at:

http://www.ontariocycling.org

sponsor image

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, First Aid Pro Patrol and staff (Kris) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:

Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Lapierre Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, POC Protection, Harveys, Fatlip clothing, Industry Bike park, Ontario Cycling Assoc and X-Fusion shocks.

sirbikealot logo

www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton
Sirbikealot Racing and Promotions

Cycle Solutions DH#2 Race Report by Lapierre bikes

Source: Peter Appleton, Sirbikealot Racing

The second stop in the 2009 DH series took us to the fabled Heights of Horseshoe, the only location in Ontario to ever host a Canada Cup Nationals DH race. This year would prove to test the riders with a brand new lower course (thanks Shane and crew). Filled with big berms, ruts and wide open fast flat turns, you needed to have some serious bike skills to complete this course with a winning time in any category!

Photo by ExpertJames

In one of the great battles of the day, the Hardtail 19 and over men pushed their rigid rear bikes to the max and came out with some rippin times. In the end Rob Fraser (Primary-Trek) pulled it out with a blazing time, with the two craziest riders in the series pulling out 2nd and 3rd, Tommy Lucas (Impala bikes) and Andrew Robinson (Impala bikes).

1. Rob Fraser Primary-Trek Pickering 2:05.230
2. Tommy Lucas Impala Bicycles Kendal 2:12.524
3. Andrew Robinson Impala Bicycles Kendal 2:17.151

The womens cat was a tough one when Cassandra Boone (Sweet Petes), the 2002 national DH Champ decided to show up. She pulled out some of her old form and took the gold with Kristen Courtney in 2nd and Monika Luebke in a solid 3rd.

1. Cassandra Boon Sweet Pete`s Toronto 2:24.06
2. Kristen Courtney Brantford 2:37.556
3. Monika Luebke Mississauga 2:50.171

Sunday’s DH race day brought us some sunnier weather and perfect May racing conditions, the spectators lined the course waiting to see who would rule the tried and true rockgarden to rock drop.

photo by Reaction

As the elites began to make their runs everyone was putting down bets on whether or not anyone could break the 2min mark. As the best of the best crossed the line, we knew it would happen. However it was a BC rider and Canada Cup title contender who crossed the line first, Dean Tennant (Primary Trek) pulled off an amazing 1:54 for first place, it was Matt Zdriluk (Commencal) less than a second behind him and Rob Fraser (Primary Trek) pulling in a great 3rd place finish.

1. Dean Tennant Primary-Trek Sidney, British Columbia1:54.9
2. Matt Zdriluk Commencal Beamsville 1:55.393
3. Rob Fraser Primary-Trek Pickering1:57.299
4. Josh DeCloet Commencal Turkey Point1:58.734
5. Justin Brown Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny`s RacingBrampton 1:59.276

This weekends huge attendance is a testament to the amazing DH/Super D community that lives in Ontario, while other race series are down in numbers we are up! Congrats for keeping the race seen thriving Ontario.
Next event is just 2 weeks away as our first 4X race gets under way at Track 2000.

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Ski Pro Patrol and staff (Kris and John) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:
Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Lapierre Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, POC Protection, Harveys, Fatlip clothing, Industry Bike park, Ontario Cycling Association and X-Fusion shocks.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to
www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton

Thanks to all the returning sponsors Cycle Solutions, Commencal, Norco, Titec, Kenda, Want, Industry Skate Park and Impac. Welcome to a new sponsor POC Helmets and Armour, the new leader in MTB protection. http://wheels.pocsports.com/

Thanks to all the returning sponsors Cycle Solutions, Commencal, Norco, Titec, Kenda, Want, Industry Skate Park and Impac. Welcome to a new sponsor POC Helmets and Armour, the new leader in MTB protection. http://wheels.pocsports.com/

2009 is sure to be a ripper with two huge new introductions:

1) Canada’s first Super D race series. This timed event is a perfect mix of XC and DH racing, a little up and lots of down. It’s a great race for XC and DH competitors or for trail riders who love a flow filled ride. Come out and ride with your friends in the amateur class or press for the fastest time of the day in the open class. Medals and prizing for every Super D race, plus overall series points.

2) The Ontario/Quebec Challenge: a single event Interprovincial Championship Trophy will be awarded to the Province that wins the most DH categories (cadet, junior sport, senior expert etc), points will be awarded from 1st place (25pts) to 22nd place (1pt). The province with the most points in each category will win that category, the Province with the most categories wins the Championship Trophy! This is also a regular series points race for both provinces, so everyone will be grabbing points for their provincial overall series championship too!

source: Peter Appleton

Cycle Solutions O-Cup Provincial Champs Pre Race Report Presented by
Commencal, Camp Fortune Sept 13/14

Cest notre deuxieme and finale arrete en le belle provence pour 2008 (sorry my french is bad). Cest une bonne opportunite pour le derniere competition de le saison! I have received tons of emails from both Ontario and Quebec, this will be a sanctioned race in Quebec and Ontario this weekend and will hopefully lead to the 2009 Ontario/Quebec DH Challenge!

Finally the answer everyone has been waiting for….What Course??? What Course??? Well Matt Woods, Will Cadham and his amazing trail crew have created something super special so be sure to bring your A game for the Provincial Championships!.

- Camping is free as always in the parking lot!

- Save $10-20 and pre-reg online at www.ontariocycling.org

- Map and Directions are here:
http://www.campfortune.com/en/velo/find.php

- Bring lots of TUBES, you’re gonna need em!

REMINDER: Minime Category IS NOT allowed to race in Quebec currently, hopefully next year the FQSC will allow it, so we’ll see all the Minime’s at Blue Mountain in August.

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Pro Patrol and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors: Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Commencal Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, Privateer Racing, To Wheels, Industry Bike park, Trident Distribution, Gamut, FUNN.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton

The legend that was the Canada Cup DH course in 1999 is no longer, alas a new creation has been formed!!!! A hardworking trail crew has created a NEW COURSE for Horseshoe that will be like nothing else seen on the O-Cup seen, steep chutes, off camber, highspeed wide wood sections, multiple lines and the Snake pit. This is a course reminiscent of the mid section parts of bigger Canada Cups.I want to thank Shane, Myles, Ryan, Greg, Hugh and Deanordan for their awesome slave labour.This event is NOT to be missed!Don’t forget to pre-register at:
www.ontariocycling.org
(1day licences are $10 online, $20 at the event)
Pre-reg closes Noon, Friday June 27th

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Kelso Pro Patrol and staff (Barb and Simon) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:
Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Commencal Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Ontario Cycling Association, Dropmachine.com, Privateer Racing, To Wheels, Industry Bike park, Harverys, YODO bike, E-13, Atomlab, FUNN, Gamut, Trident, Azonic and CIBC.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to
www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton, Sirbikealot Racing.

The BRAND NEW course has been settling in nicely since its creation a couple of weeks ago. Many of those who attended the build day said it will easily be the best course at Kelso ever! This new course offers everything from open flow tree sections, fire road sprints, step downs and steep technical rocks. With an average projected time of around 2 minutes it will also be longer than anything offered at Kelso.

Equally as exciting, Team Commencal will be offering a FREE Skills and Safety clinic, Sat 3:30pm at the Start gate. This clinic will help hone your skills, give a safer insight in DH racing and ofcourse help take seconds off your time!

This event is NOT to be missed!

Don’t forget to pre-register at:

www.ontariocycling.org

(1day licences are $10 online, $20 at the event)

Pre-reg closes Noon, Friday June 13th

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Kelso Pro Patrol and staff (Barb and Simon) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:

Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Commencal Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, Privateer Racing, To Wheels, Industry Bike park, Harverys, YODO bike, E-13, Atomlab, Azonic and CIBC.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to

www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton
Photo credit: Marc Landry

Cycle Solutions O-Cup DH#1 Race Report Presented by Commencal bikes

It was a wild start to the first race of the season, rain hammered the Niagara Escarpment for 3 consecutive days, culminating in a 7hr drenching on Saturdays practice day. However it could not dampen the spirits of the riders, if anything it motivated them more. Our second ever largest turnout was welcomed by sun on Sunday morning which combined with some wind dried the course out nicely for race runs.

A great womens field was trumped by Sheila (the great) Morris (Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny’s), chasing her down were Kristen (Poisonfrog.ca) and Caroline (Jamis/Bikezone) both getting in under the 2min mark!

1. Sheila MorrisCycle Solutions/Angry Johnny`s RacingBarrie 1:44.903
2. Kristen Courtney Poisonfrog.ca Toronto 1:57.842
3. Caroline Arsenault Jamis/Bikezone RacingToronto 2:00.185

Next up everyone was watching the Junior Expert field, the return of Rob Fraser (Poisonfrog.ca) and Andrew Gotuaco (Sweet Petes) along with newcomer and last years cadet champ Robert Bailey (Commencal). And surprise surprise guess who showed up on the podium Rob, then Andrew, the Robert!

1. Rob Fraser Poisonfrog.ca Pickering 1:29.863
2. Andrew Gotuaco Sweet Pete`s Collingwood 1:36.066
3. Robert Bailey Commençal Cambridge 1:37.750

The anticipation grew as the day grew on waiting for the Pro Men, would all this extra time help dry out the course??? Yes it would! Drew threw down the gauntlet with a ripper a full 2 seconds faster than the fastest time of the day. Tom followed up with a stellar 2^nd place and Brandon pulled in a healthy and well deserved 3^rd.

1. Drew Pautler Primary-Devinci Brampton 1:24.385
2. Tom Kakamousias Cycle Solutions/AngryJohnny`sRacing Toronto 1:26.9232
3. Brandon Cassell Adrenaline Racer/Industry Skate Park Strathroy 1:29.131

Our next stop is back here at Kelso June 14/15, we are building a brand new course so be ready for something sweet!

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Kelso Pro Patrol and staff (Barb and Simon) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:

Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Commencal Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, Privateer Racing, To Wheels, Industry Bike park, Trident Distribution, Gamut, YODO bike, E-13, Atomlab and Azonic.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to

www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton

Well the birds are singing, the snow has melted (finally!) and its time to get dirty! As with every O-Cup DH season we kick it off at Kelso in Milton, Ontario. This time honoured venue is close to the GTA and always has the biggest crowds. Racers are excited to see friends, compare their new bikes and best of all, see who’s been training hard in the off season.

This years course has a couple new treats with an new rock garden at the top and addition of a new rock garden at the bottom. But you aren’t getting off that easy, the famed “rock drop” is back and should provide for a challenging course from top to bottom.

Don’t forget to pre-register at:

www.ontariocycling.org

We can’t thank enough our amazing support staff, Lee Allen, Kris Somers (MC/DJ), Allan Hawley and his timing staff, Kelso Pro Patrol and staff (Barb and Simon) and ofcourse the amazing volunteers and sponsors:

Cycle-Solutions.com Bike Store, Commencal Bikes, Norco Performance Bikes , Kenda Tires, Titec Components, Dropmachine.com, Privateer Racing, Trident Distribution, Gamut, YODO bike, E-13, Atomlab, Azonic and Axis Racing Gear.

For all results and Ontario Cup DH/4X racing info go to

www.sirbikealotracing.com

source: Peter Appleton