DirtTV: US Grand Prix of MTB Round #1
Stevie Smith wins US Grand Prix rd#1 at Port Angeles. Aaron Gwin 2nd, Mick Hannah 3rd, Josh Bryceland 4th, Neko Mulally 5th.
Jill Kinter won the Elite womens race from Miranda Miller and Holly Feniak.
The track looks rough and gnarly and the crowds look insane!
Brendan Fairclough doubled a huck and took a digger into a tree, bashing his shoulder, hopefully no serious damage done.
DirtTV’s Rob Parkin filmed the event and somehow managed to find time to race it too, bagging a great 19th in the senior men category!
Full results over at www.usacycling.org
Devinci Global Racing’s Steve Smith has ridden to his first win of the 2012 season at round #1 of the US Grand Prix, solidifying his 1st place qualifier. Junior shredder Mark Wallace rode his 1007 plate number to an impressive 10th place in his first pro race in a stacked field.
“This great result comes at a great time; less than a month before we head to Europe for the next World Cup event. This is the first reward for all the work Steve put in this offseason and is a great confidence booster, I am fired up.”- Gabe Fox, Team Manager.
Photo:Colin Meagher
The opening round of the US Grand Prix drew an impressive International field due to it close scheduling to the Sea Otter Classic held the previous weekend in California. With the two-month break between rounds of the World Cup the event lived up to all expectations. Saturday’s qualifier saw the top ten of the World Cup worthy field cram into six seconds with Steve qualifying first ahead of Josh Bryceland of the UK.
Race day saw riders exchange places until 6th place qualifier and 2011 World Cup Overall winner Aaron Gwinn set the first podium worthy time. He remained in the hot seat until the last rider of the day; Stevie crossed the line besting his time by close to two seconds.
“The track was amazing, the dirt was insanely grippy and you couldn’t go too fast. The Wilson felt like it was on rails; it was great to get a win. I was a little nervous after qualifying first, but happy to back it up.”- Steve Smith
Pretty stacked pro field!
hopefully the music choice offended most Dirt subscribers.
@AD Word to the mother
whoever decided to put NWA to a mountain bike video, you dear sir are my hero!
only the yanks would call it the grand prix – hahahaaa, OMG it never ceases to amaze me.
Stevie looks fired up… there was a knowing look in his eyes at the end of that vid.
GOOD music choice. And I think Grand Prix of MTB sounds cooler than British National Series. How boring
Yep yep, great tune choice.
Looked like it was an awesome race!
I was wrenching at the race, saw Brendog huck the chute, so rad when he landed it in practice. Its the one they show most of the top guys riding down near the end. No one else was trying his line. Shame about quali, but it was great to see him going for it. Heal up!
i take it you are an American then jay-jay.
where’s this “British National Series” then Jay-Jay? Don’t think I’ve raced in that one!
definitely a stacked pro field, why don’t UCI have more races throughout the year and include locations like this!? the riders were ACTUALLY saying they were stoked on the track and made for good watching.
Should be a future world cup venue. Riders were stoked on the scene, saying the crowds were better than most world cups and that the venue put out a killer vibe. Not to mention the track is sick!
gotta thank Rob for the great coverage & video! & HUGE thanks to all the riders who made the event what is was! i’m pumped on the event & lookin forward to the growth of the MTB GP!
dirt dodger – there was a lot of deliberation over the name of the new series. pretty hard to decide on one & make everyone happy. if you don’t like it, feel free to start your own series & call it what u will.