It's On! MTB Race Season In Full Swing all over the US.

July 19th, 2010 4:51pm

Now that the country has for the most part, thawed out, and the Sea Otter is behind us, the Race season is in full swing for both coasts.It started out west with cross country racers testing their early season legs in the US Cup back in February at Bonelli Park and then on to Fontana. Everyone ramping up for the Sea Otter (UCI points events) and the world cup events. If early season form is an indication of the seasons potential, Todd Wells would have a lot to be excited about. Taking fifth at Bonelli Park, First in Fontana and third in a spectacular three man sprint finish at Sea Otter, Wells serves notice to his fellow countryman that he means business this year. If he can avoid the technical issues that plagued him last year, Wells is my pick to wear the stars and stripes in Sol Vista this year.

For the gravity crowd, there is also much optimism. On the brink of extinction with USA Cycling - the downhill scene was almost single handedly resuscitated by industry insider Jeremiah Dylan Dean. Not only did he manage to secure 6 events across the country but appears to be posting one of the strongest fields in years. The first stop on the PRO Gravity Series sported a near World Cup field in Port Angeles. On the other side of the island the East Coast Gravity Series got their first event under their belt this past weekend. Not to discount the Sea Otter gravity events, but the real downhill events begin with the The PRO GRT series, The Fluid Ride Cup Series and The East Coast Gravity series.

What the Sea Otter does have is a raucus fun dual slalom event. No doubt the highlight of the entire festival, the dual slalom is perfectly situated on the hill overlooking the Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway and the carnival atmosphere. The fans can walk to the hill in minutes and enjoy the atmosphere with fellow cycling nutz, while the top pros show exactly why they are pros - sick handling skills, speed and power. This years honors went to GT bikes Mick Hannah - (the only three time winner) beating out crowd favorite and American Aaron Gwin by .03 seconds. Gwin beat Hannah in the downhill race in Fontana just two weeks earlier showing he is a favorite in the PRO GRT series this year and hopefully the world cup stage also.

Whose killing it? With all the marketing money the bike bike companies use to buy riders and hopefully your business it is great to see several small manufactures handing out the whop arse early on. Specifically, Transition Bikes. The boutique mountain bike manufacturer that is rider owned and ridden has put together a super tight team consisting of Bryn Atkinson, Jill Kitner and Lars Sternberg. And their reward has been immediate with Jill Kitner taking the DS win at Sea Otter along with her DH podium results at Sea Otter and Port Angeles. Bryn Atkinson slayed one of the most competitive fields in years on U.S. soil on his TR 450 for the victory at Port Angeles. The success of Transition doesn't stop with on the Gravity guys. The Transition Bikes dirt jumper have also gotten off to a great start with Casey Groves

taking top honors for the second year in a row at the Ranch Style bike Festival in Grand Junction Colorado. It should be mentioned that while the race results appear to have been immediate, I have it from good sources that this small company has used their own riding prowess and a significant amount of input from their world class pros to refine their bike lineup and get them dialed in.