New this year, day one of the Enduro Cup was the first bike race allowed on the area's backcountry singletrack, and day two featured legendary trails of Bald Mountain. The course combined ridgelines, stream crossings and high-mountain alpine trails. The course demanded riders have both fitness and focus to rip full-throttle on the descents. A combined time of the five timed stages determined the overall champions.
Photo: © Sean Ryan
Photo: © J.Dash
Red Bull's Curtis Keene executed the steep sections of the course with impeccable downhill technique to win the Open Men's division with a combined time of 45:55; Photo: © Sean Ryan
Photo: © Sean Ryan
Photo: © J.Dash
In the Open Women's category, SCOTT Sports athlete Teal Stetson-Lee (53:49), completely dominated the field; Photo: © J.Dash
Also, the new Shimano Boulder Mountain Fox Trot 50k cross-country race was another highlight and event organizers did a good job, working closely with U.S. Forest Service to host the 32-mile point-to-point race on backcountry trails with 4,200 feet of total climbing including some of the area's best trails in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
The unofficial kickoff party of Ride Sun Valley was the legendary SheepTown Drag Race in Hailey, ID, where racers charged head-to-head down Main Street with flaming logs chained behind their bikes. Another entertaining race was the Downtown Criterium Team Relay presented by Vittoria where costume clad riders sprint laps around the town square for cash and local bragging rights.
Photo: © Sean Ryan
"My favorite part of the festival was the Enduro Prologue race I did on Friday," said Teal Stetson-Lee. "I love it when events have added components other than just the racing. It's spectator friendly and draws the crowds out."
Photo: © Sean Ryan
Photo: © Sean Ryan
Photo: © J.Dash
Photo: © Sean Ryan
For festival-goers less inclined to compete there was daily live music in the Expo Area, an 80s theme Bike Prom, and local stoker rides where local bikers guided tours of their favorite trails. The final gathering of the festival was the Idaho Pump Track State Championship Races.
Source: http://www.endurocupmtb.com
