2019 US Cup, Bonelli Park: Unstoppable
Erin Huck was going to win the race. She rode like there was no other option, putting everything into the effort. The problem was the one obstacle in her way, the one rider always just ahead, the one pair of wheels turning just a little quicker, the one woman who happened to have World's Champion stripes circling her jersey - Kate Courtney. Round and round they went for, was it six laps, or only five (four would have brought on leg-exploding exhaustion), up the grinding slopes, down through the rocks, across the lawn with one final surge to the line where, by the end of those laps, those pair of wheels had spun forty-two seconds quicker than Erin's own.
The competition on this first day of US Cup racing was fierce, maybe even phenomenal, after all the racers here can be counted among the best in the world. These early season US Cup races have long brought elite athletes to Southern California; for as long as I have been covering them, there have been large contingents of Canadians, but this year there seemed to be more than ever. Likewise, athletes from Mexico and South American nations always show up to race; add to them racers from Norway, Serbia, Australia, Japan, and from states across the US and Puerto Rico, and we are treated to a world class event right here in our backyard, on the very same trails we ride every week.
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Alabama and British Columbia. They don't really have a whole lot in common, but I was able to meet athletes from both today (thanks to the mrs. starting up conversations with them) - a trio of racers from Canada, and a father from Alabama, here with his daughter who was in her first UCI-caliber race; they were excited, completely immersed in the atmosphere - it really is like no other - I am sure their stories, and I know their enthusiasm, was duplicated all around Bonelli's Picnic Valley. The races continue on Sunday, so if you have a little time ride over and check them out.
The Unstoppable Kate Courtney
Carter Woods, from British Columbia, winner of the UCI Cat 1 Jr. Men
from Denmark, Sofie Heby Pedersen wins the UCI Cat 1 Jr. Women, and Markus Kaad Heuer, 2nd in the UCI Cat 1 Jr. Men
Courtney and Huck
Kate Courtney tearing it up
the mrs. had a good time talking to this trio of young riders down from British Columbia. these early season races have always brought teams into Southern California from Canada, and it seemed like there have been more than ever this year.
Andrew Clemence
UCI Elite Women Pro XCT: 1st Kate Courtney, 2nd Erin Huck, 3rd Chloe Woodruff. UCI Elite Men Pro XCT: 1st Jose Gerardo Ulloa Arevelo, 2nd Peter Disera, 3rd Raphael Gagne. UCI Pro XCT Junior Women: 1st Sofie Heby Pedersen, 2nd Emilly Johnston, 3rd Alexis Bobbitt Pro XCT Junior Men: 1st Carter Woods, 2nd Markus Kaad Heuer, 3rd Adair Zabdiel Gutierrez Prierto
You can check the race album and its selection of 112 photos for more.
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