Race Report: Arctic MTB XC Series, Event 1

After what felt like an eternally-long winter, mountain biking has finally returned to Kincaid Park! The Arctic MTB XC Series kicked off on June 2nd, and the field was packed with riders looking to celebrate the start of the race season. By the beginning of the race, 104 entrants had made their way to the …
Pipsport/Chain Reaction Cycles riders bombing through the woods
Pipsport/Chain Reaction riders bombing through the woods

After what felt like an eternally-long winter, mountain biking has finally returned to Kincaid Park! The Arctic MTB XC Series kicked off on June 2nd, and the field was packed with riders looking to celebrate the start of the race season. By the beginning of the race, 104 entrants had made their way to the starting line and were ready to take to the expertly-maintained trails (hats off to Singletrack Advocates) and set down the first laps of the 9-race series.

Expert Men in the starting grid
Expert Men in the starting grid

Speed was the name of the game for course layout, with the fastest cyclists ticking off mid-22-minute laps of the flowing 6-mile circuit. Right from the starting line, the riders were sent down a quick XC-style sprint, only to be greeted with the punchy ascent of Elliot’s Climb. This initial scramble gave an edge to the riders with the strongest legs and lungs, but that isn’t to say that there wasn’t a need for technical skill, with Bolling Alley’s berms, pumps, and jumps adding variety to the cardio-centric blasts through Margeux’s Loop and the Jodhpur Trail.

Getting some air time on one of Bolling Alley's many jumps
Getting some air time on one of Bolling Alley’s many jumps
Charging the downhill
Charging the downhill

After all of the riders had completed their race through Kincaid’s glorious singletrack, the leaderboards were posted and the results shook down as follows:

Expert Men (3 laps)

  1. Will Ross (1:06:57.6)
  2. Jason Lamoreaux (1:06:58.0)
  3. Josh Chelf (1:06:58.5)

Expert Women (3 laps)

  1. Danelle Winn (1:16:13.0)
  2. Megan Chelf (1:18:38.5)
  3. Laura Fox (1:20:38.9)

Sport Men (2 laps)

  1. Mackie Derrick (49:33.9)
  2. Jakub Jiracek (51:17.9)
  3. Max Beiergrohslein (51:40.0)

Sport Women (2 laps)

  1. Stacey Kolstad (56:21.3)
  2. Heather Edic (58:38.7)
  3. Andrea Kettler (58:39.0)

Beginner Men (1 lap)

  1. Caleb Slemons (29:27.9)
  2. Scott Schneider (30:17.6)
  3. Cody Landenburger (30:28.2)

Beginner Women (1 lap)

  1. Jessica Thompson (32:50.3)
  2. Brooke Therrien (34:06.9)
  3. Katie Hickey (34:21.8)

Junior Men (1 lap)

  1. Samuel Jemmings (30:33.8)
  2. Tasman Duenow (32:02.9)
  3. Reece Duenow (33:42.3)

Master Men (2 laps)

  1. Tom Peichel (50:02.2)
  2. Craig Walker (51:06.7)
  3. Darin Marin (51:13.0)

Singlespeed (2 laps)

  1. Alex Wilson (52:11.4)
  2. Chris Schutte (55:28.0)
  3. Ian Ford (57:14.1)

Full results are available here.

Speedy.
Speedy.
Shredding the Alaskan way, while wearing Xtratufs
Shredding the Alaskan way, while wearing Xtratufs
Running a clinic on proper berm technique
Running a clinic on proper berm technique
Riders were closely packed for the majority of the race
Riders were closely packed for the majority of the race
They love their fatbikes up in the 49th state
They love their fatbikes up in the 49th state
One of the Kaladi Brothers Coffee team's well-caffeinated riders
A well-caffeinated rider sponsored by one of Anchorage’s local bean roasters, Kaladi Brothers Coffee
In pursuit
In pursuit

 

Airing it out across the finish line, sadly no bonus points were awarded for style
Airing it out across the finish line, sadly no bonus points were awarded for style

For more information on the Arctic MTB club, including future events, check out their website!