News
N.M.B.S. ENDS WITH GIANT 1-2-3 IN SUPER D!
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Decker & Rando atop final standings in Super D and DH
(August 13, 2007) The National Mountain Bike Series competition ended in Snowmass CO the weekend of August 10-12, 2007.And, once again, the Giant Mountain Bike Team figured prominently in race results AND in the final NMBS standings as tallied from events around the country beginning in the spring.
In the Super D race, Giant stood 1, 2, and 3 atop the podium. Carl Decker made the run in 11:00 minutes to win the event, and Adam Craig was one second behind.Once again, Amiel Cavalier, one the Giant gravity guys, decided to race Super D for a second time this season (after winning the event two weeks prior in North Carolina) and came in 3rd,:15 seconds behind Carl.And Jared Rando, Giant’s other gravity expert, raced Super D as well and placed 13th. In the final NMBS standings, Carl Decker is on top of the list of 85 riders who competed in the Super D over the season.
In other highlights from a very busy weekend, Kelli Emmett placed 2nd in the Women’s Super D; Adam Craig took 2nd in Men’s Short Track and 3rd in Men’s Cross Country; Amiel Cavalier placed second in the 4X.
In the Men’s Downhill, Jared Rando placed 6th, :07 seconds back of winner Justin Leov.Amiel Cavalier placed 11th, just :11 seconds back.But Jared and Amiel went 1 and 2 in the Final NMBS Standings for DH, over 118 other gravity racers!Jared, Amiel & Kelli have all posted great race reports below.
And Adam Craig has a blog about Snowmass and a season recap at: www.ridelife.net
Below is a list of how the Giant team members finished in individual events at Snowmass, followed by how they finished in the series standings.For a complete list of race and series results, go to:
NMBS #7 Results and final NMBS Standings
Super D - Men:
1. Carl Decker 11:00
2. Adam Craig :01
3. Amiel Cavalier :15
13. Jared Rando1:16
Final NMBS Standings – Men’s Super D
1. Carl Decker 847 pts
6. Amiel Cavalier 527 pts
7. Adam Craig 526 pts
Super D – Women
2. Kelli Emmett
Final NMBS Standings – Women’s Super D
4. Kelli Emmett 498 pts
Short Track – Men
2. Adam Craig
12. Carl Decker
Final NMBS Standings – Men’s Short Track
9. Carl Decker 620 pts
11. Adam Craig598 pts
Short Track – Women
8. Kelli Emmett
Final NMBS Standings – Women’s Short Track
15. Kelli Emmett475 pts
Men’s Downhill
6. Jared Rando :07 back of Justin Leov (3:51)
11. Amiel Cavalier :11 back
Final NMBS Standings – Men’s Downhill
1. Jared Rando683 pts
2. Amiel Cavalier 649 pts
Men’s 4X
2. Amiel Cavalier
14. Jared Rando
Final NMBS Standings – Men’s 4X
2. Amiel Cavalier 610 points
3. Jared Rando 585 points
Cross Country – Men
3. Adam Craig
10. Carl Decker
Final NMBS Standings – Men’s Cross Country
6. Carl Decker 668 points
7. Adam Craig 616 points
Cross Country – Women
11. Kelli Emmett
Final NMBS Standings – Women’s Cross Country
14. Kelli Emmett 498 points
Race Report: NMBS #7, Snowmass CO--by Jared Rando
The final race of the NMBS series in Snowmass went pretty darn well for me. My results weren't exactly what I was hoping for but, the race was extremely important for the series and my results were enough to win the downhill series overall and finish third in the 4X/Slalom series overall. Coming into the race, I was sitting in second behind Amiel in both series. The 4X was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was taken out by another rider in the quarter finals and a bad qualifier meant that I finished not so well and dropped back one place to finish third overall. It happens though and I am still quite happy with how the season went. The downhill was a fresh track—never raced on before. It was a great track to ride and there was a solid field of pros that showed up to race. I had a solid qualifying run but my final run was a little sketch. Still, I managed to hold it together and finish sixth. I hate finishing sixth. I have finished 6th overall in the past three seasons and I always seem to be just one spot off the podium. I wasn't too worried this time though, since the finish gave me enough points to take out the series for the first time! I couldn't be happier with the result. My season has had its fair share of ups and downs but to finish on top is fantastic. After a couple hours of packing bikes after the race, I decided to give my first Super-D a shot. I had never done one before so I made some rookie mistakes with my bike placement for the start but still had a great time. There was definitely some smack talk between the DH and the XC guys on the team but unfortunately the XC guys came out on top this time. It was definitely entertaining!The best part of the race for me though was after the run, I went to pick up my bike and found that someone had put their wheel over my handlebars leaving me with a mess to untangle until the idiot returned to get his bike. I looked up and along comes Adam Craig to get his bike. "Sorry Rando" he smirked as he grabbed his bike and sprinted up the hill... So with the end of the season, I need to give out a huge thanks to everyone at Giant for your support. Also a huge thanks to Nate "Dusty" Riffle for doing a killer job of wrenching on my bike all season, Elke, Tom and Frank and all the team sponsors. Without your support, none of this would be possible.
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Race Report: NMBS #7, Snowmass CO--by Amiel Cavalier The new course at Snowmass was in adifferent area then last year, separated from the Village and the 4X track. It was a brand new course which for the first day of practice meant just burning-in the track. The course was a good length in time and distance. It wasn’t a very technical course; it was fast and dry and rough and dusty—awesome conditions for an exciting race!I personally didn’t feel the altitude this weekend (above 8-thousand feet). I wasn’t feeling the best on the bikes this weekend. Not to worry. I head to Europe to do some early training before the World Championships in September. The Super D went really well for me!I think the course was awesome and battling with the XC boys (Adam and Carl) was so much fun.I had a great start—a mass start with a bit of a run.I had an early lead only to find Carl pass me over a rise like I was a rock on the ground! Not too long after I was also passed by Adam in a similar situation where I felt like I was standing still!I was really happy with 3rd place and even had a little battle with 4th place to the line. Last year I was 3rd in the DH and really was hoping to better that.In the gated series last year I was 6th.This seasonI was a lot more experienced and knew I had a better chance of doing well. My results this yearwere not expected but I was working hard for the best results possible. I am really happy with the turn out of my season and owe a big thanks to ourteam! Racing and traveling all summer is hard and to be on your game every weekend is difficult, not only for us riders but the staff on the road.On behalf of all theTeam riders,a deep and meaningful“Thanks!” goes out to Tom Neb (Lead Mechanic) Elke Brutsaert (Team Road Manager and Mum) and Nate Riffle (DH mechanic). For all your time, help, support and passion andpatience throughout the Season-- You guys are great!Also big thanks go to FrankTrotter, Andrew Juskaitis and Travis Chipres for all your help behind the scenes.
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Race Report: NMBS #7, Snowmass CO--by Kelli Emmett High Altitude is always tough to adjust to after racing at sea level for a few weeks. You never feel like you have the snap to attack and take off at the front...My racing strategy became more of an issue of metering efforts and not trying to go over the edge of no return.I find it better to almost start off a little easier and work your way through people, then attacking off the front and spending the whole race trying to recover from that 1 effort.The course was a little different than years past and more climbing was added. I guess there wasn't enough there in years past???
Actually, you can always count on Aspen to have lots of climbing so it amazed me that they could add even more climbing.Thank goodness the race was full of some sweet ripping Colorado single track descending to help you forget about the long uphills. The trails were hard-packed and almost tacky in spots since Colorado has seen more rain this year than the whole 8 years that I have lived out here. So, needless to say it was a pretty fun race even though I struggled racing at 10,000 feet...
Now the Super D is the best race of the weekend, where taking the chairlift up the hill is way more cool then trying to ride yourself all the way to the top. The course this year was amazing!!Some uphill for the XC folks and some scary dirt road descents for the downhillers and more sweet single track that was smooth and flowey. It was a close race with Marla, Jamie, and I until the last 2 minutes of the race when Jamie got me on the inside of a corner and was able to get around another rider from the previous race faster then Marla and I. But, I was still pretty pleased with the 2nd place finish. It has been a long season and I’m still coming back from my shoulder injury in May.So considering I am still struggling on pulling up on the bars and trusting my shoulder to keep me supported—so considering all this I am pleased with how the season finished out. Of course, you always want to do better but I have enjoyed so much getting back to racing and hanging out with the coolest team on the circuit. Forced time off always makes you appreciate being healthy and have the ability to race again... I am sooo looking forward to Worlds next month, racing cross, and jumping up rock ledges...
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(EDITORS NOTE: THE ENTIRE GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM HAS BEEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SCOTLAND SEPT. 3-9.FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/12017/)
14 August 2007