The US Open has concluded, and Andrew Neethling ended up taking home the crown and the prize money. Tracy Moseley snagged the victory from the other female racers, read on for the full report.
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Words and Photos by Tyler Nichols
Thousands of mountain biking fans and racers came out on Sunday to watch the pros ride the rock and root filled downhill course at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, New Jersey. The course was relatively fast and dry, as the only rain of the weekend happened right before the Men's Pro Giant Slalom race and lasted a mere 30 minutes. Downhill racing got started at about 1 with the Amateur Women category followed by Amateur Men and then the pro's took the course with the women starting out and the men finishing up the action.
The Diablo Hot Seat was changing hands quickly, but in the end, Andrew Neethling's time of 2:19.55 was fast enough to hold on after all the racers were across the finish line. Sam Hill is coming back from a knee injury during the off season and was able to take fifth in the Downhill with a time of 2:21.52, showing that he is back up and ready to have another great year of racing. Steve Smith took fourth on his Evil Revolt and was also growing in a set of sideburns that would make almost any 70's TV star jealous. Joining Neethling on the podium was teammate Justin Leov, who took the third place spot with a time of 2:20.36. Gee Atherton was nipping at the heels of Neethling, but fell just short by just over half a second and finished with a time of 2:20:90.
Men's Pro Results
1. Andrew Neethling 2:19.55
2. Gee Atherton 2:20.09 +.54
3. Justin Leov 2:20.36 + 0.81
4. Steve Smith 2:21.0 +1.45
5. Sam Hill 2:21.52 +1.97
6. Brenda Fairclough 2:22.30 +2.75
7. Luke Strobel 2:23.82 +4.28
8. Jared Rando 2:25.87 +6.32
9. Richie Rude 2:25.94 +6.39
10. Curtis Keene 2:26.20 +6.655
Jill Kintner tried to double up on her winning ways but fell just short in her downhill race run by 0.41 seconds to the winner Tracy Moseley of Trek World Racing, who had a super quick time of 2:40.16. Melissa Buhl rounded out the top three with a time of 2:42.58
Women's Pro Results
1. Tracy Moseley 2:40.16
2. Jill Kintner 2:40.57 +0.41
3. Melissa Buhl 2:42.58 +2.42
4. Jacqueline Harmony 2:50.19 +10.03
5. Miranda Miller 2:51.12 +10.96
6. Fionn Griffiths 2:51.71 +11.55
7. Joanna Petterson 2:51.85 +11.69
8. Rebecca McQueen 2:58.0 +17.92
9. Katie Holden 3:03.85 +23.69
10. Vaea Verbeeck 3:07.71 +27.55
Thanks to Diablo and Mountain Creek Resort for putting on such a great event. I would also like to thank all the riders, pro and amateur for coming out and making this event so much fun to watch. Hopefully the event will continue to grow, and I can't wait for next year.
