May 29th, 2011 9:28pm
2011 was the year of revenge for Mitch Ropelato at the US OPEN - not in an agro way, but for redemption for having victory snatched from him last year in a high speed eject, clearly ahead of the field.
This year, the super talented kid on the Steve Peat JR. Syndicate team stamped his authority on the slalom course as the fastest qualifier and then in his first run. Ropelato had a full second on the field in his first run and then had to play the waiting game to see if his time could be beat in the two run format.
The racing was exciting as slalom usually is, especially with the new final section of the track that included two poorly spaced sets of doubles and a near transitionless table top into the finish line. Pros, had their hands full scrubbing speed into the jumps and amateurs had their's full committing to both sets. Each field contributing to some spectacular crashes. A bit bruised an battered, everyone came away without serious injury.
As the riders came down, outstanding runs were put down by the usual names including some nice surprises in the Pro filed, like Mike Haderer on his Corsair Bike and Transition Bikes Lars Sternberg and Evan Turpen. Not that these guys are not fast, but having seen the field race numerous times, they just seemed to step up their game a bit more on this event to grab their share of the pro purse.
The women's field was once again a small field filled with the best US talent we have. Transitions' Jill Kitner completed her euro preparation with a win over Melissa Buhl and Jacqueline Harmony. All three women put on competitive show and all three will be taking on the rest of the world next week in Fort William.
Mitch Ropelato shows SICK style and the crowd gives it up for his victory lap. Ropelato put the race out of touch on his first run.
Mick Hannah is always a threat and powered to second place.
Mike Haderer and his Corsair style it out over the triple at the top of the course. Haderer was on his game earned himself some meal money and a trip to the podium - taking third.
Upholding Transition bike teams habit of scoring top results on the US scene over the past two years - Lars Sternberg piloted his ride to fourth place.
Fans always help make the event at the US OPEN unique. Clearly a GT fan of Marc Beaumont, his parents are training him well on the cow bell. I hope he makes it to the rock garden tomorrow!
You gotta love a bike company owner that is a rad fan too. If more bike industry owners were still this psyched on riding, how big would our sport be? Transition bikes, rider owned - rider supported!
Jill Kitner pedaling her way to a two-peat defeating her two US arch rivals and throwing down a solid time that would have rivaled some of the pro men.
KHS/Azonic/FOX Rider Melissa Buhl took second place and is going over to Europe to try and regain her 4X world championship title.
Sometimes being a great dude, a rad rider and a decent photo will get you some publicity. Chris Heath is all of those and this photo shows how much speed was carried into the corners at the bottom of the run.
Kyle Strait on his new PIVOT M4x out doing his thing in qualies. Kyle couldn't improve enough on his top ten qualifying spot to get into the money.
Tacos anyone? Mental note, don't buy purple wheels to race with. Equipment failure over the doubles did create an unpleasant outcome.
Logan Binggeli rode the nose wheelie as long as he could then went for the gainer. Binggeli was hauling ass over the goofy spaced doubles and could not scrub off enough speed for the second set. Logan is tough and got back up to make the final field of 20, but he was sore.
Tough guys bounce back after gravity has its way with them. Logan took a beating on this one, but came back fighting for the final.
Mitch Ropelato, Hannah and Haderer share a laugh as Ropelato shows of his first 40 ouncer of MGD. Eighteen year old Ropelato gave back the beer after the fun photo opp and not knowing what to do with the malty beverage. The event organizers weren't prepared for such a young winnner.
There were plenty of takers on hand to take the winnings of his hands.
Location: News >> US OPEN Slalom
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