PRO DOWNHILL:

The National Mountain Bike Series blew into dusty, gusty Southridge Park in Fontana, California, this weekend for its third round of 2007. The weekend’s weather was a mixed bag, but one thing was consistently inconsistent and that was the wind. Riders practiced on hot and cold windy days on the dry dusty, rocky downhill course, famous for the long pedaling section at the end of the run. Riders had definite strategies to deal with the long sprint that followed the tricky rock sections. In the end, California native Cody Warren prevailed and Aussie Nathan Rennie (Santa Cruz/SRAM/RockShox) came second. Rounding out the international podium was New Zealand’s Justin Leov (Yeti) third, South Africa’s Andrew Neethling fourth and Australia’s Chris Kovarik fifth.

Temecula’s Eric Carter put down a solid performance just missing the podium in sixth. Fastest qualifier Bryn Atkinson suffered a mechanical, the first mechanical he’s had in five years, as his chain came off. EC has a lot of experience on this track and said there is a definite strategy to use at the bottom of the course. “I knew I gave up a few seconds in the rock sections and I gained some back at the bottom. There are a few places to sit down on the upper course to conserve until the bottom where I stand up and sprint the entire way, never sitting down. Cody was carrying speed smoothly on top, and he also knows the strategy for this course,” said Carter. Rennie also had a plan for the pedaling section and ran semi-slick Kenda Short Tracker tires front and rear. “It was a risky choice, and I had to be very deliberate steering through the rock sections. I had to lean into the wind at times, and really had a slippery, skatey ride, especially through the loose off camber ‘Money Corner’,” said Rennie.

About the physical efforts spent on the course, a hacking EC puts it best saying, “You get the best lung here at this downhill-Fontucky Lung!” Rennie said, “I was pretty spent and I kept breathing and breathing but it wasn’t catching up with my legs.”

In the women’s downhill Kathy Pruitt took top honors. Canada’s Claire Buchar was second, and out for a romp was Marla Streb in third. Lisa Myklak was fourth and Joanna Petterson fifth.

WADDELL 6TH IN MEN’S EXPERT XC 25-29:

John Waddell raced the cross-country on Saturday and rode strong to place sixth. He was leading the first lap, and battled for second on the second lap. He eventually made a few mistakes and dropped to sixth in the third and final lap. “I hate it when I make mistakes. I felt strong and battled in the beginning, and just missed being on the podium. But what matters most is that I’m out there and giving it my best.” said John. John will go home to Perth, Western Australia this week after a six weeks stay in the States. He plans to race more XC and endurance races as he trains and prepares for solo 24-hour races.

The National Mountain Bike Series blew into dusty, gusty Southridge Park in Fontana, California, this weekend for its third round of 2007. The weekend’s weather was a mixed bag, but one thing was consistently inconsistent and that was the wind. Riders practiced on hot and cold windy days on the dry dusty, rocky downhill course, famous for the long pedaling section at the end of the run. Riders had definite strategies to deal with the long sprint that followed the tricky rock sections.