Round five of America's National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) took place at WindhamMountain in the Catskills, some 140 miles north of New York City, over the weekend.
With the US National Championships at Mt. Snow, Vermont only a week away, all the top ranked racers used the Windham course to test their fitness. Many Canadians also entered to prepare for their national championships in Mont-Saint-Anne in Quebec next week.
Primarily a ski area, WindhamMountain is new to the mountain biking scene, but the resort has been preparing new trails for over a year in anticipation of this NMBS race, building a 4.8 mile cross country course, complete with man-made bridges, roots, rocks, and short steep climbs, with around 1,100 feet of climbing per lap.
In the Elite men’s cross country race, Canadian rider Mathieu Toulouse (Maxxis) pulled off the upset of the season by slicing through the field for three laps, then taking on United States National Champion Adam Craig (Giant) in an epic half-lap battle. Craig, known for his descending prowess, could not make up enough time on the final descent to get by Toulouse. Jeremiah Bishops of team Trek/VW took third place on the podium.
Georgia Gould (Luna Women’s MTB Team) won the Elite women’s cross country race ahead of Canadian Catherine Pendrel (Luna Women’s MTB Team) and Czech rider Katerina Nash (Luna Women’s MTB Team) came third.
Kieran Bennett (Odi) took the victory in the Elite men’s downhill final in a close race with Geritt Beytagh (Moorwood). Cameron Cole (Maxxis) was third.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Elite downhill final, Joanna Peterson (Maxxis) continued her winning ways by beating Amy Laird by 1.4 seconds. US rider Alexis Wruble finished third.
In what was certainly the most tactical short track race of the season, Todd Wells (GT/Pacific) was able to get around Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) on the final turn to take his first short track win in two years. Adam Craig (Giant) finished third.
Katerina Nash (Luna Women’s MTB) continued to dominate in the Elite women’s short track championship with a win over her team-mate Georgia Gould. Mical Dyck (Trek/VW) claimed third place.
For full results from the National Mountain Bike Series, go to Cyclingnews.