July 4/04 3:33 am - Victoria Cycling League, BC Provincial XC Mountain Bike Championship

Posted by Editoress on 07/4/04
 

Victoria Cycling League
Courtesy David McKinney

Things are really starting to heat up in the Victoria Cycling League. We are coming into our final stretch of racing. It seems like Charles Dethridge is running away with the A group as he has already amassed a lead of over 50 pts. The two time trials and four hill climbs may dictate the final outcome of
this year's A group as specialized riders may "clean-up" the points at these events. In the B group, Robin Gwynne has a 26 point lead over Simon Ciceri and only 14 points separate 2nd from 7th. In the Women's category it seems a consistent starter and finisher will claim the end of the year prizes and crown, so come on out ladies and challenge Wendy Sim's slender lead. Updated standing and results are coming soon.

A Group
Chuck Detheridge, 97 pts
Kevin Morrison, 46
Matt Usborne, 30
Bob Cameron, 28
Scott Martin, 26
Nick Rowe, 26
Vinko Poldrugovic, 24
David McLeod, 24
Steve Bunnin, 22

B Group
Robin Gwynne, 71 pts
Simon Ciceri, 45
Eric Gowland, 35
Kenji Jackson, 34
Andrew Smith, 32
Andrew McCartney, 31
Lauren Kildaw, 29
Brendan Pioveson, 24
Vaughn Hildebrand, 22

Women
Wendy Sims, 30 pts
Micheline Ouimet, 27
Jenny Trew, 24
Skyee Larlee, 23


Squamish to Host BC Provincial XC Mountain Bike Championship

The province's best mountain bikers are expected to be in Squamish on July 24 for the first provincial cross country mountain bike championship. The 40 km. point-to-point race is being organized by SORCA (Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association) for Cycling BC, the governing body of bicycle racing in BC.

"This race will take riders through some of the most demanding single-track cross country trails in the valley," said Race Director, Curtis Roberts. "We're calling it the Gearjammer as bit of a tribute to Squamish's logging past."

Gary Jackson, Cycling BC's Mountain Bike Technical Director, said that the Provincial Championship will be a very different event from Cycling BC's other major race series, the SISU BC Cup, and will provide a more technically demanding venue for riders to show their stuff. "It's about bragging rights," he said. "Who are truly the fastest cross-country riders in the province? I guess we'll find out." Roberts points out that unlicensed racers (citizen categories) are encouraged to take part as well.

The race is being presented by The Test of Metal and TOM race director Cliff Miller sees it a good fit. "The Test of Metal is so successful, and the Gearjammer complements it nicely. We're hoping that the enthusiasm that surrounds the Test will spread to this race."

Squamish locals are expected to perform well in the race especially U17 rider Neal Kindree who has a has a legitimate shot at winning. "Neal's one of the best young riders in the province, and he has the home course advantage," said Miller. "I'm sure he'll do well against the pros that will be here, and we're all cheering him on." In addition to Kindree, several other Squamish riders are expected to perform well in their categories. "When you've got some the best mountain biking in Canada, it's natural that you would create some of the best riders," said Roberts of the local contingent of competitors, "and we certainly have some of the most enthusiastic citizen racers anywhere"

The race begins at Alice Lake Provincial Park with a 12.5 km climb of more than 500m of elevation and then drops into almost 30 km. of gnarly Squamish single-track. It ends in downtown Squamish at the pavilion outside the Chamber of Commerce visitors' centre "It's the ideal ending to an exceptional race course," said Roberts. "There's a great sprint to the finish with a good spectator area and wonderful views all around."

The GearJammer is also Race Number 4 in Cycling BC's inaugural XC Marathon Race Series, and the winners of that series will be crowned at this race. The race will be used as a fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Squamish Emergency Program (SEP), the group that provides search and rescue services in the area, and SORCA. The BC Championship, a single-race event for each of the Cross Country and Downhill mountain bike disciplines, will feature the Sea-to-Sky corridor, with the Cross-Country held in Squamish and the Downhill event held at Whistler Mountain as part of Whistler's Crankworx Gravity Series.

More information about the race and registration can be found at www.gearjammer.ca.