2009 Fluidride Cup Final Mega-Post

Another top notch Pacific Northwest gravity season has come to a close, the bragging rights have been doled out. Allride Academy/Santa Cruz wonder boy Mikey Sylvestri and Red Bull/Intense Jill Kinter take the Pro race wins and Yeti's Evan Powell snags Jr Expert. It was not your typical Sunday race day. Yes, we had blue skies, but one element that I never thought would play a factor was the extremely 'high winds'. Mt Hood Ski Bowl isn't really known for its wind, I conjure up thoughts of heavy rains or wet heavy snow. This closing weekend of the 2009 Fluidride Cup was one for the memory books.

Photos By Carl Warren, Greg Tubbs, Doug Sowdon and Video by Andy Tran.The 2009 Fluidride Cup is a 6 event gravity bike racing series starting in Port Angeles WA and ending at Mt Hood Ski Bowl in Government Camp, OR. Both venues are amazing, challenging and they compliment each other very well. This weekend was the last event of 2009 and many gravity racers shook off the Interbike hangover and managed to drag their carcasses to Mt Hood Ski Bowl in Government Camp, OR. Friday was the usual open practice from 11am to 4pm and its very casual on this training day- perfect weather, track is very loose and dry. We are all loading up to the top mountain (via the Upper Bowl chairlift) practicing our lines on very loose, dry ball bearing like dirt on all kinds of rocks- some shale, some baby headed, some poking out of the ground like monoliths. Some of the corners on the track were hammered beyond belief and resembled three day old cereal, just mush. But, I have to say, it became such a challenge to have a smooth, error-less run. Myself and other racers felt the same way- although it was a loose and sketchy track conditions, it was somewhat appealing to not screw up. Tough.


Friday training has always been a good day to just shake off the built up rust, dial in your bike. Realizing I needed new brake pads and a couple of adjustments to my cockpit, I head to the pits. James Hanson from Rockstar Energy met me, he set up a sick pit area and then he continued on to decorate the track with nice flags and sweet banners- even decorating some of the key spots with huge cans. As he was hiking around the course when he 'popped' his ankle and it swelled up to a golf-ball in seconds. He was now a gimp for the weekend. I met up Mark Brent of BOM and we chatted about his upcoming project called 'Women Of Dirt". I have to say- this is gonna be a must have DVD soon and you can bet a teaser is being put up soon here. I took this practice day pretty lightly in retrospect and I wonder if that was the key to a successful weekend.


Here's my attempt at filming one of my practice runs:

Sport Course Warm Up:Fluidride Cup Finals

by northwestdhdad

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Early Saturday I met Photographer Carl Warren at 8am, we drove from Hood River OR to Government Camp,OR and hit the Ski Bowl parking lot. Wow, overnight, the attendance swarmed up. Right as I stop and get out- I look over and who do I see pull in? Well if it isn't the So Cal Posse of JD Swanguen, Kevin Aiello, Brad Oien and Naish Ulmer. I'm talking to JD, impressed that he drove 20+ hours for this particular DH when I see Jill Kinter's Red Bull Sprinter roll up- out hops BF Bryn Atkinson and I'm just dumbfounded. I ask Bryn "Is Jill gonna race this weekend?' and he replies "Yeah, she's signing up" and I knew right then that this race series was getting a 'buzz'- so next year we are gonna call it the series- the 2010 Buzz Cup. Just kidding.


Man, another perfect day. Sunny, really warm, some guys and gals are looking sunburnt. I'm feeling crisp after 3 hours of running the track. My focus was just to run the upper mountain and really let it open up there- this is where I felt I could do the most damage control, I have my starts dialed this year- gearing to the intensity of the peddling, setting a tone. DH racing is just addictive, its such a challenge to approach certain sections and keep the bike under you and in control. I've been having 'odd' moments in today's training runs- one time I bucked up the rear end, had a panic attack. Another time in the same spot, later in the day- I slipped a pedal and landed crotch heavy on my seat- the seat clamp wasn't happy and I stripped it loose. I had to ride all the way down with a loose seat- pointing north through my prostate. Finally reaching the pits I repair it, endure some randoms rolling through the lot asking for directions- even got a tiny bible from a man spreading the word of Jesus. I tell him, 'Dude, Jesus is the raddest DH Racer in the world, his name is Steve Peat' and my friends all crack up.


Saturday was the fun day and I took a handful of runs, conserving my energy for Sunday's finals. At 1pm the Pro's and Expert got time to dial in lines on their track. I got to hang out in the pits with James from Rockstar while he set a personal best record on his 'Poker' game. That evening we planned the Rockstar Energy 'Season Ender Fluidride Cup Party', with the help of Petr Kakes and the Ratskeller Tavern, we were able to have a gathering place to watch Carl Warren's 'Season In Review' Slideshow and the NW premier of Chainlink Productions/Rockstar Energy's "Barred For Life". Carl's slideshow started off and he showed his best (well some were crappy) 14 photo's of Joy Mutoli and all 5 Fluidride Cup races. He covered everything from the pits to podiums. He told me he shot over 50,000 images this year of the Fluidride Cup. Huge thanks to Tom and the Ratskeller crew for hosting the event, Ski Bowl's Petr Kakes for organizing the location and a huge toast to Rockstar Energy's James Hansen and Bjorn Annuet for showing off the movie- its now available for sale here.


For those of you that have yet to see the teaser for 'Barred For Life' here it is:

barred for life teaser

by robtech

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Sunday Morning comes early. If you have been following my race stories this year on Pinkbike, you'll all know by now that I always complain about how early we have to get up and how insane it is to run track when your barely awake. Ah, Sunday morning I decided to 'run late' and I arrived an hour after practice started. With Carl Warren hyped on too much coffee. He hops out and runs the early morning light, snapping pictures left and right. He helps me erect the Alpinestars Pop Up and he's gone. I begin to armor up and within minutes- I grab my Cove G-spot with Fox 40 (long story there- don't wanna get into it) and head to the chairlift. I'm freezing from the gusting wind.


A 20min lift line requires patience. I tap into a zen of calmness as I talk to John Pitton about his entry into the 'Red Bull Exodus' Mass DH he entered into- his story was so awesome that I forgot I was heading up for a run. I hook up with POC Racing's Ben Kubas and we casually chat all the way up the lower bowl chairlift. We both comment about the wind and we make the 'BBBrrrrrr' face. We get our bikes and head to the upper bowl chair and all of a sudden I sense something is wrong- the chair is stopped. I immediately think that it's just shutting down due to its age, but quickly someone shouts out to me- '2 BIKES HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CHAIR AND LANDED IN THE ROCKS!' and I decide, aw no biggie, I'll just ride the lower mountain to get warmed up and I descend back to the base. Once I get to the bottom, I get called into a meeting. After I explain what I saw on the upper bowl, we all agree to just run the lower mountain track to prevent any other bikes from serious peril. No one wants to lose a bike off a chairlift. SURPRISE! Course change!


So with a 11am start time ticking away- Hurricane Racing and N-Dub Productions decide on a new start just off the Lower Bowl chairlift. Quickly they erect a start gate and by 11:10am the clocks were all synced and ready for action. Pro Men, Pro Women and Jr Experts all get one qualifying run and by Noon we begin the season ending race with Cat Ones- the experts- the studs of Downhill Mountain Bike Racing!! We begin with 28 racers sizing up the new start spot- it's a small course change but it could play a factor since everyone trained from the top for 2 days- this was a season ending curveball to overcome.


Staring off with 19-29 Cat 1's Project 529's Alex Hansen laid down the season ending run (allot like how Sam Hill does Schladming every year) and smoked his class with a 2:39.55 and took the first FR Cup Overall Title for 2009, I compared his time to the pro men's field- he would have placed 12th, just outside the top 10 paying spots. Amazing. Downhill Zone Racing/Elka's Tyler Gilsdorf raced to a 4th place finish and ended up 2nd overall and Fanatiks Colin Tobin snags 3rd overall.

Race Results for Cat One 19-29

1st Alex Hansen (Project 529) 2:39.55
2nd Jason Sams (DropNZone/Prospect Street Café) 2.45.08
3rd Joshua Kaha 2.46.34

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

Moving onto the next class its the 30-39 class. In my opinion this is one of the most exciting classes to watch- these guys are all qualified for extra health insurance. Dirt Corps Matt Patterson is on a mission to defend his 2008 title, he's had a season one would call challenging. Last event we saw Matt he crossed the finish line and tore out 30+ stitches during his race run- well, with the knee all healed up he knew it was going to be a tough day. Troy Hoff was out to send everyone in his class a message- "I'm back!" as he too suffered a serious injury and with his return, the level of racing went up a notch. Fanatik's John Pitton of Bellingham WA has been hot on the heals and missed the podium only once this year. Game on boys- and it was a real race- Troy Hoff edges out Project 529's Nathan Marsh by less than 3 one hundreds of a second for the race win, but Dirt Corp's Matt Patterson scores 120 total points and takes the 2009 FR Cup Overall title back to the Puget Sound. Mr Pitton snags 2nd overall as Nathan Marsh settles on 3rd.

Race Results for Cat One 30-39

1st Troy Hoff 2.49.41
2nd Nathan Marsh (Project 529) 2.49.89
3rd Tyler Bates(GHY Bikes) 2.46.34

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

The 40+ Cat ones line up next- what can be said about a 40+ year old racing DH? Not a dam thing because if you race at the caliber of these guys- your very talented. I admire this group of men for several reasons. Mostly I'm just in awe of Project 529's Darryl Jamieson, Brad Watt and UPS driver Jason Moon's amazing results over the year. I also adore Mark Brent of Bones Over Metal as he is just a great guy who loves bike racing and you have to appreciate that- There are others in this class that deserve accolades like Recycled Cycles/Dirty White Boy's own Andy Voight, Jerry Southworth and Arnold Mukai. These guys all have real jobs on Monday. Jason Moon has been a dedicated driver for UPS for 15 years- I have to say- he's one great racer on the Fluidride Cup. I remember the 2nd race of the year- he had been interfered on a race run. He asked me for a re-run, and I got him one- he ended up posting the fastest time for his class- beginning a Jason Moon domination. Now, rest assured Ex-Semi-pro racer Brad Watt is more accustomed to winning over his amazing career. Jason has won 3 races so far- winning today puts him on top of the points (scoring a perfect 120 points) and taking the 2009 FR Cup Overall title. Brad Watt settled for 2nd and Project 529's Darrell Jamieson edged out Jim Karn (no show) for the 3rd Place spot. Congrats to these men in such an inspirational class.

Race Results for Elite Masters

1st Jason Moon (Boone Dog Bikes) 2.46.49
2nd Brad Watt 2.47.59
3rd Darrell Jamieson (Project 529) 2.54.63

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

Lastly for the expert class is the ladies- 3 women deep including 2009 National Champion Chelsey Stevens, Dirt Corps Cassie Stamm and Wheelsport Easts Jamie Rees. Chelsey and Cassandra were the only 2 racers to attend every single race- kudo's to you two. Jaime had a tough start to the season with a broken wrist and came on strong at the end. For the race and overall title Wheelsport East/POW's National Champion Chelsey Steven's rocks the field with a 3:32 and takes it all home. Wheelsport Easts Jaime Rees nabs 'First Loser' and sneeks past Dirt Corps Cassandra Stamm dropping her down to 3rd overall. Ms Steven's experienced the 'perfect' season by winning 5 out of 6 races and scoring the elusive 120 point season. Congrats.

Race Results for Expert Women Open

1st Chelsey Stevens (WheelSportEast/POW) 3.32.74
2nd Jaime Rees (WheelSportEast) 3.49.23
3rd Cassandra Stamm (Dirt Corps) 3.57.37
And now the Sport class is arriving to the start area. Here is where the day got sorta screwed up. All morning long we announced- (I say we because I was the announcer) one minute intervals for Sport and Beginner classes. After the delay of start, after Petr got a good look at the rate the event was moving at- he decided to make it 30 second intervals and it sped up things dramatically. Many racers were caught off-guard and I did my best to announce the change- but the pits extend for a half mile east and west of the huge parking lot. So word wasn't getting around like we hoped. The Expert course gets closed at that point and the 'Sport' course is opened up. This track is really fun, its got a peddle section with bottom bracket grabbing rocks- a couple of jumps and one terrible off camber gravel laced right turn that everyone hates. The young 19-29's Cat 2/Sport Class is 20 riders deep. I remember the first race I went to with Cole Pruitt, he was such a blast to ride with that I just adored the kid- I see potential in him, so I asked him to be a part of my Cove grassroots program for the US. He accepted and he's becoming everyone's favorite racer- the racer's racer if I may say. He helps everyone out- he inspires and is way too much fun to be around. The future is bright for Cove/POW's Cole Pruitt. But the future has many names moving up next year- one name is Western Riders/O'Neal/SMX Optics rider Ethan Fortney. He's had an interesting season according to the overall points, but his smoking run on Sunday propels him into first taking the overall lead in points and nabs the 2009 FR Cup Overall Title. Cove/POW's Cole Pruitt is 'first loser' as Western Riders/Royal's Tory Klonius rests in 3rd overall.

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport Class 19-29

1st Chris Meddings (Downhill Coalition/Life Cycles) 3.25.77
2nd Jesse Ransavage (Kyle Thomas Racing) 3.26.09
3rd Weylin Rose (Team Western Riders) 3.27.00

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

Cat 2 Men 30-39 also has a group of blue collar workers that enjoy racing. Team Mukai's Mike Garcia is a dedicated man when it comes to racing. He only missed one race this year and Momentum Bikes owner Carey Hopkins didn't even attend practice- good thing he lives close by and knows the Mt Hood Ski Bowl track very well. Ian Dore on the other hand has won 2 FR Cups this year already- by laying down another winning time and taking the points lead with 112, he secured the 2009 Overall FR Cup title for his age group.

Race Podium

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport Class 30-39

1st Ian Dore 3.31.54
2nd Carey Hopkins (Momentum Bikes) 3.31.68
3rd Greg Schutt (C.O.G. Racing) 3.41.13

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

Onto the 40+ Cat Two's- the fun class, the "I'm here just to enjoy myself and ride my bike' group of older dudes. As most of you know- I'm the sandbagger that experienced a perfect season. I scored a perfect 120 on my season and I gotta say- I felt great compared to the season I had prior (breaking and dislocating my right elbow) and sitting most of the season out. But it also allowed me to get involved with the series and inherit my MC duties. I didn't expect to get such a great response from doing one event, which led to 2, then phone calls from Lars and Simon confirmed I was the official voice. I was honored. I've been watching DH bike racing for many years- dreaming of entering them, hosting the best series and winning my class was a true highlight of this year. Thanks to everyone for the honor of entertaining and hosting the FR Cup- it was a hoot eh? Now the 'I'm sorry' to Todd McCarthy, Vince Wehterall, Jason Gibbs and Dirt Corps Jim McCracken for having to race me. Not gonna lie here by saying I didn't enjoy it. I was challenged to be consistent for once- I achieved my goals and I look forward to racing Elite Masters next year. So by closing the season off with a race win, I locked up the overall title as well, so I'm (Mike Estes) am the 2009 FR Cup Overall Champion, with Vince Wehterell taking 2nd and Todd McCarthy slipping down to 3rd.

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport 40+

1st Mike Estes (Pinkbike.com/Cove/Arrow/Spy) 3.39.23
2nd Jason Gibbs (Transition Bikes / Seattle Bike Supply) 3.43.11
3rd John Billard 3.46.18

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

To honor even more amazing inspirational men- the 50+ Sport Open class has two great characters racing today- Team Pyscho/Arrow Racing's Bill Kieffer (whom I have a $1 fastest time bet with) ended up losing another dollar has won every single race this year. Bravo Bill! But Foes/661/Spy/No Fear rider George Smith is vowed to make it tougher on him next year. I think the 50+ guys are just amazing. Congrats.

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport 50+

1st Bill Kieffer (Team Psycho/Arrow Racing) 4.01.35
2nd George Smith (Foes/661/NoFear/Gamut/Spy) 4.51.97

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

The kids are now bouncing off the wall- OD'ing on Rockstar and Monster will do that to anyone- but the kids have to wait the longest and its torture on them. Mike's Bikes Blake Bryant started of placing low early in the season- he collected points and then he obviously ate his Wheaties at the 3rd race and stepped up his game- collecting points and placing in the top 5. He placed 4th in the race- but it was all he needed to take the 2009 FR Cup overall. Although the race win went to Downhill Coalitions/Life Cycle's upstart Rhys Ewing. Syndrome Racing's Anthony Leonarduzzi nabs up 2nd Overall giving Syndrome racing their only overall award. Expect big things next year from this team. And Fanatik's Trevor Parson secured the 3rd place overall......again- Congrats to all!

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport 15-18

1st Rhys Ewing (Downhill Coalition/LifeCycles) 3.29.28
2nd Dory Schjelderp 3.32.64
3rd Wood Skinner 3.32.87

The buzz of the 2009 Fluidride Cup has to land somewhere around Shiloh Cyclery/Dakine's Dan Kruse. He's been spotted on a custom Evil Revolt and has people talking. Well, 661/Royal/Sunline's Kole Wetherell has played the consistent card on Dan and since Kole blazed a sweet run posting 3:37 on sunday, he snags the 2009 FR Cup away from Dan Kruse. I can say this- Dan Kruse is gonna come back fighting next year and I predict someday we will have Dan Kruse posters on our office doors. Kevin Littlefield ends up 3rd in the race and overall on the season. Good job Kiddies!

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport 0-14

1st Kole Wetherell (Project 529) 3.37.68
2nd Dan Kruse (Dakine/Evil Bikes/Hurricane/Shiloh) 3.43.81
3rd Kevin Littlefield 3.47.57

And lastly the Sport Women Open- Today the race run was dominated by Dirt Corps Jennifer Tell, she clocked her best run and took the win, with Shiloh's Hailey Soukkoth 2 seconds behind for second. Luna Chix's Kathy Malvern was pretty dam consistent this year, she placed top 5 all year long. But Shiloh Cyclery's Hailey Soukkoth took some bigger points and with her race win on Sunday- she jumped into the lead and grabbed the 2009 FR Cup overall title home. Luna Chix's can be proud as Kathy Malvern took the silver platter and Dirt Corps Jennifer 'Do' Tell secured bronze.

Sport Womens Race Podium

Race Results for Cat 2's-Sport Women Open

1st Jennifer Tell (Dirt Corps) 4.29.19
2nd Hailey Soukkoth (Shiloh) 4.31.59
3rd Kathy Malvern (Luna Chix) 4.32.79

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

The Beginner Cat Three's are now descending. They are all heart. Most are just glad to be racing and learning a new skill. The mens 19-39 class is finishing up and Steve Westemiser takes the race win and overall title for his class. Recycled Cycles David Rorabaugh ends the season in 2nd and Chris Brannan sneaks out the 3rd place overall award. In 40+ Cat 3- I see Jim Shaver edges out the overall win by placing 2nd in the race. Mountain Cycle/G Force Racings Stephen Rogers takes 2nd overall and Dan Allyn edges out our beloved Bob Hollander for 3rd overall. Men 15-18 Team TAI's Mitch Davis concludes his perfect season and will be racing sport class next year. He takes the 2009 FR Cup overall title home for a year. Another amazing year goes to Project 529's young Chase Jamieson who took 3rd in his race run and snags the overall title with 107 points. His Dad rips- he rips, the whole Jamieson family is just amazing-period. Hurricane Racing's TJ Thomas secured a 2nd place overall and even though Ben Johansen started late this season, he turned heads by ripping into 2nd on the race and moving up the points ranks into 3rd overall.

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Men 19-39

1st Steve Westenhiser 4.14.98
2nd David Rorabaugh (Recycled Cycles/DWB/Georgetown Brewing/BOM) 4.31.37
3rd Chris Brannen (Project 529) 4.43.06

Race Podium

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Men 15-18

1st Adam Wilson (Momentum Bikes) 4.20.73
2nd Mitch Davis (Team TAI) 4.29.76
3rd Sam Taguchi 5.05.38

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Men 0-14

1st Conrad Skinner 5.06.71
2nd Benjamin Johansen (Shiloh Cyclery) 5.16.62
3rd Sam Zander 5.24.22

2009 FR Cup Overall Podium

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Men 40+

1st Chad Parson (Fanatik Bike Shop) 4.08.63
2nd Jim Shaver (Quimper Trails Assn) 4.30.03
3rd Dan Allyn 4.47.60

Ladies of beginner class racing- are you ready? Ann Davis of Team TAI get to brag about her perfect season too- but she has to move up just like the rest of us- She concludes here season with a race win and takes the 2009 FR Cup overall title easily. Although GL6/Norco rider Rachel DeLatuer is not far behind and provide stiff competition. She ended up 2nd in the overalls. And to wrap up the Sport class is the Junior ladies- Hurricane Racing/Arrow Tire lass Cheyene Smith nabs the overall title but Kim Westenhise just made her presence known- so this one starts a whole new chapter in 'girls' racing. Andriana Moroz ends her season 2nd overall and Kim Westenhiser grabs 3rd.

Race Podium

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Women Open

1st Ann Davis (Team TAI) 5.00.60
2nd Rachel DeLatuer (GL6) 5.26.88

Race Podium

Race Results for Cat 3's- Beginner Women 0-18

1st Kim Westenhiser 11.32.09
The 2009 Fluidride Cup season is coming to a close with the 3 remaining classes getting ready to drop. The clocks all get reset, the Junior Experts are the first group to come down. Going into the last race- Fluidride/Evil's Luciano Worl has the lead and fresh from competing at the World Championships in Mt Stromlo in Canberra Australia he was the guy to beat. As fate would have it- Luciano posted a 5th place time and drops down in points on the custom painted Evil Revolt. Opening the door for Downhill Zone's Evan Gilsdorf to take it away- which he did by placing 3rd in the race, jumping into the lead and taking the 2009 FR Cup overall for Junior Experts! Fanatik Bike's Andrew Widman ended his season in 3rd. I can't leave out how smooth Yeti's Evan Powell rode to take the race win and its very impressive to see Southern Oregon's own Caleb Doane roar to a solid second on his beloved Giant Glory. Shocking news was that Mason Sowdon (Syndrome Racing and Pinkbike VOD Web Star) wasn't there for his start. Team Mukai's Conner Mishalnie once again proved he's either gonna hit the line clean and fast or dirty with damage. This race he came in dirty and battered, he put it down in the woods and I felt his frustration mounting. Whitefish MT's Willie Hobbs drove a long ways to compete, he too felt the pressure to post a fast time and placed just out of the top 10. Next year Hobbs! Props to these young men and future pro racers- your all amazing.

Race Results for Elite Juniors

1st Evan Powell (Yeti/Fox Racing) 2.40.42 (note: Evan would have placed 15th in Pro Mens)
2nd Caleb Doane (Legion Of Dirt) 2.41.27
3rd Evan Gilsdorf (Downhill Zone Racing/Canfield Brothers/Elka Suspension) 2.44.18

Downhill Zone/Elka's Evan Gilsdorf taking the 2009 Jr Expert FR Cup Championship title

Women Pro's begin the descent- there are only 2 entered. Speedy Beaver's Dawn Fidler is the contender for the overall, so she's got her goals. Red Bull Jill Kinter is here to just kick ass and take the Kona Bicycles Womens' Pro Purse...which she did by posting a time of 3:00 sending a message worldwide that the 4X isn't the only thing she can do. It was great to see Jill there and we look forward to seeing more 'high caliber' pro women attend. My big question is where was Leanna Gerrard or Katrina Strand? Oh well, next year ladies! Congrats to Speedy Beaver Racing's Dawn Fidler for taking the 2009 Overall Pro Women's Title.

Speedy Beaver's Dawn Fiddler on her way to claiming her first Pro Women's FR Cup Overall Championship title. Good Job Dawn!

3 Time World Champion Jill Kinter taking the hotseat.

Race Results for Pro Women

1st Jill Kinter (Red Bull/Intense) 3.00.83
2nd Dawn Fidler (Speedy Beaver Racing) 3.29.77

The big show is coming to a close- here's the last act- and it's a doozy. Pro Men. Last year, 44 year old Bart McDaniel rode a Giant Glory to an amazing overall title win. This year- Bart had a huge target on his back riding his new Evil Revolt and on a new cycling team and with the buzz of the 2008 series making rounds to other pro's ears- its was obvious that these races are becoming the top series in the USA for gravity racing. Beginning the 2009 season we saw 'the American Dream' Curtis Keene dominate the first 2 Port A races, Then So Cal invaded and Intense/TLD/Spy Factory Pro JD Swanguen takes the 3rd race, vowing to return with his homies, then Crankbrothers/Intense Factory studmuffin Bryn Atkinson arrives to take the next two FR Cups. What a race of the season. Low and behold- its the final race of the year and during the morning's qualifying run, Bryn takes a tumble and gashes his forehead pretty good and he remains in his pits the rest of the event. Opening the door for Allride Academy's Mikey Sylvestri to take advantage, Bryn was the only Pro to win at Port A and Mt Hood SKi Bowl, so he was the man to beat. Mikey Sylvestri had this energy that reminded me of a young Shaun Palmer he crushed everything in his path and takes the final race win pocketing Evil Bicycles Pro Mens Purse. But he's got no points for the overalls. In that division the seasons points were collected by Transition/Dakine/Fox Racing Shox's own Lars Sternberg and takes the Pro Men's 2009 FR Cup overall title back to Port Angeles WA. Maxxis/Rocky Mountain/Rockstar's Luke Strobel (fresh from Interbike and his 9th in Scladming) sneaked himself into 2nd place in the race and secured the 2nd place overall as Intense/ODI/Spy's JD Swanguen reaches in for a little pinch between the cheek and gums for 3rd overall by grabbing 13 extra points for his 7th place race run.


Top 10 Race Results for Pro Men

1st Mikey Sylvestri (Santa Cruz/Allride Academy) 2.27.50
2nd Luke Strobel (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) 2.27.89
3rd Lars Sternberg (Transition/Dakine/Fox Racing/Fiveten/Scott) 2.33.12
4th Bart McDanieli (SFluidride/Evil) 2.34.32
5th Kevin Aiello (GT) 2.35.08
6th Alexander McGuiness (Team Krunk Shox) 2.35.43
7th JD Swanguen (Intense/ODI/TLD) 2.35.96
8th Jim Johnston (Monkeyhouse) 2.36.06
9th Nick Tuttle (GHY Bikes) 2.36.68
10th Phil Wiering (Fluidride/Evil) 2.36.84

2009 FR Cup Pro Mens Overall Podium

Here's the amazing season ender video by Andy Tran of Syndrome Racing. Enjoy!

Fluidride Cup #6 2009

by runwithscissor09

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And here is Mark Brent of the DWB/Recycled Cycles team posting his video of the race:

Fluidride Cup 2009 Finals Bike Porn

by

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Huge Thanks to Petr Kakes and the Hurricane Racing Staff, Mt Hood Ski Bowl, the Mt Hood National Forest Service, the Lift Ops, the Ski Patrol, the Parking Lot attendants, N-Dub Productions, James and Joey from Rockstar Energy, all the racers and spectators for your amazing support. Huge props to Brad Delzer of Shiloh Cyclery for providing all the raffle goodies, Simon Lawton for his desire to see his dream materialize, Steve Kruse of Timberline Lodge for your help and energy to complete tasks. Kevin Walsh at Evil Bicycles, the crew over at Transition Bicycles and the family over at Kona Bicycles for your undeniable support. We can't forget Scott Tucker and everyone at the Olympic Dirt Society. You all have made the 2009 Fluidride Cup something very special and we look forward to announcing the 2010 schedule very soon.

And with a heavy heart - I conclude my report. It was the single most exhilarating season of bike racing I have ever experienced and I appreciate all the kind words you all have for us. Until next year, I bid you all a wonderful fall/winter riding season. Toodles!

Mike 'northwestdhdad' Estes

Race Results and Overall Results are here.
More photo's of the race and series are here.
Carl Warren's Photo Gallery is here. Podiums Here.
Doug Sowdon's Photos can be found here.
Greg Tubbs images can be drooled on right here.

Take a run with Simon Lawton down the pro course:

Simon Lawton on pro

by runwithscissor09

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Another video of the last race, enjoy this one too!

Fluidcup #6 2009

by ElVenezuelan

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Raffle Highlights and more photo's to explain the Fluidride Cup scene:

Scott Bicycles donated a Gambler Frame and this frame is going to a dedicated racer named......

Jim Johnston. Your fellow racers took notice and your more than deserving of this award. Thanks to the huge hearts at Scott Bicycles.

Sandbagger Max Piltz handing out the raffle tickets.

Raffle and Awards attendee's

Its all over- pushing the steeds back to the cars and heading out for some food. Lars and Luke mobbin' it!

The 2009 Fluidride Cup is brought to you by:

Kona Bicycles
Fox Racing Shocks
Evil Bicycles
Fluidride Bike Shop Seattle WA

Shiloh Cyclery
Pinkbike.com
ODI
e.13
Dakine
Scott Optics
Corsair Bikes
Transition Bikes
Mace Gear
Rockstar Energy
Gravity Components
FSA
Brasher's Auto Auction
Stevens Pass Ski Area
Jones Soda
WTB
Arrow Racing Tires
SRAM
Lizard Skins
Pryme
661
Royal Racing
Republik MTB Apparel
Luna Chix