SOURCE: FVMBA/PINKBIKE
PHOTOS: FIONA TAYLOR
This past weekend saw a new organization take over the reigns of the Bear Mountain Challenge in Mission BC. 194 racers came out from all over western Canada, the North West USA and even Chile to race the 11th Annual Bear Mountain Challenge.
Being the first race that the Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association has been part off, things went well. Here is a look at how the whole weekend went down and full race results too.
Friday saw unofficial shuttles all day as riders arrived looking for some extra runs and weren’t disappointed .
Saturday July 7th seen a slow start to shuttles till some figuring and adjustments resulted in faster and faster turnarounds. Some riders told me they got in as many as 10 pre runs Saturday.
Sunday RACE Day July 8th
Early morning shuttles till it became important to get the racers up top and ready for the 11am start for the U17s. Numbering 62. Starting ON TIME…the race was on.
Rider after rider hit the course, which even at the end of the race day looked pretty good. A tribute to the builders and their superb work. Two of which won their divisions, Jamie Blogg 3:45 and Ewan F at 3:40…sweet.
Race fans were treated to very fast racing. As the day wore on, with the newest course improvements, everyone knew the old record set just last year by Steve Smith could possibly be broken.
Pro Elite women Miranda Miller 1st 4:20
Pro Elite Male rider from Chile riding for Rocky Chile — Maurico Quintana set the fastest time of the day at 3:36 Honorable mention will have to go out to Junior Men’s— Simon Garstan putting down an impressive 3:38.
Honorable mention for marketing savvy, Derek from–
www.fractureproducts.com his crew created a nice buzz and it really lightened the tension. (you had to be there) Those who missed this event, it was special with fun and excitement, a course that is still getting rave revues.
Some comments from the internet forums:
“First off a big thanks to all the volunteers and the organizers of the race, It went off pretty well.”
– Ewan Fafard, course builder and 1st place Senior Men
“i had a blast, and i hope that the fvmba guys are able to work through the glitches (shuttling/timing) and come back strong next year. For the price, it was a fantastic experience and the course was so mint.”
“I just wanted to say I had SO MUCH FUN!!! vollying. Thanks to everybody at FVMBA and steve, for making my first volunteer experience, one i want to do over and over gain.”
“This was my first time back at a BC Cup in over 6 years and it was a lot of fun! Amazing to see a DH race run ahead of schedule too – I don’t think I’ve EVER seen that happen before haha. I got some great photos ”
– Warwick Patterson, pro photographer
“Thank you Gary. you had a smile on your face all day long, considering the logistics of organizing something like this event, my hat is off to you and all the vollies, wives, girlfriends, kids and everyone else that pitched in. I don’t think I talked to anyone that didn’t love the absence of the cube van cattle wagons.”
Cycling BC support was fantastic, Tanya and her crew did everything to keep the race going smoothly assisting us in so many ways. Keith at CBC should be rightly proud of the great job, and looking at the amount of young riders, we know, just keep sight of the goals and our sport is headed up.
PRO ELITE Miranda Miller and Maurico Quintana will get automatic FREE entry to next year’s race. Maurico Quintana out of Chile most likely may not make it but the offers there. On top of earning $100 for first place /same for Miranda M , Maurico pocketed an extra $40 which if he shows next year.
The Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers association would like to thank everyone who came out and supported us, look to next year’s planning to start very soon.
Gary Harder and Tanya Camposano
Winners of each catagory:
194 RACERS
17–U-15 males — 1st place Max Horner 3:59
3 –U 15 females 1st Kelsey Begg 6:15
42 –U 17 males 1 Trenton Zoobkoff 3:45
19– Junior Men (17/18) 1st Simon Garstin 3:38 !!!!! wow.
36– Senior Men 19-29 1st Ewan Fafald 3:40
4– senior women 1st Danice Uyesugi 4:37
27– Master Men 30-39 1st Jamie Blogg 3:45
12 — Master men 40-49 Johnny Evoy 4:12
438– Master 40+ women 1st Judy Garren 6:46
1– Master 50 + Chris August 5:34
28 — PRO elite Men 1ST –MAURICO QUINTANA–3:36
2——– PRO Elite women – 1st Miranda Miller 4:20
Full Race Results HERE
