September 7-8, 2002, Kelso Conservation Area, on. – Almost 800 competitors
raced at this past weekend's Bonham & Co. Ontario Provincial Mountain Bike
Championships at Kelso Conservation Area.

The non-stop racing action began on Saturday with the downhill, pro short
track and “Try an Ocup” citizen events. With $1,000 in prize money on the
line for the short track, courtesy of Bonham & Co., 18 pro racers came out
to give it their all on the 1 km loop (20 minutes plus a lap). The pro
short track looked to be a Gears Racing sweep with National Team Member
Ricky Federeau and Julian Hine setting a tremendous pace! Team Hardwood's
sensation Mike Garrigan turned on the afterburners towards the end proving
that he was the powerhouse on that day.

In the pro men's downhill Doug Beattie, Kona / Ford Focus, continued his
reign as ontario's best downhill racer with a 5 second lead on Drew
Paultier. National team / Bay Cycle X-C rider Ryan Thorpe has the skills
to cross over into downhill with a win in the junior expert downhill race
while Sheila Morris took the woman's title.

Sunday's racing was a boiler fest with the strongest riders leaving the
rest of the field in their dust. 20 year old Team Hardwood's Mike Garrigan
slaughtered the pro men's field with a 5 minute lead on Gears Racing's
Julian Hine. Mountain biker turned roadie Josh Hall placed a respectable
3rd. Gears Racing's Sue Trimble had an almost 8 minute lead over the up
and coming Angela Mawdsley of Bay Cycle Racing with Team Hardwood's Lisa
Hoskins
rounding out the top 3. The junior expert men's division was championed by
Gears Racing's Martin Lazarski with Bay Cycle's Catherine Vipond taking the
junior woman's title.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors, especially Mark Bonham of Bonham &
Co., for making this a season to remember! Other big thanks to Bay Cycle
Racing for setting up the circus tent providing shade, Shimano for
showcasing the awesome 2003 XTR, OCA, Kelso Conservation Area, Norco, KHS,
Joe Couture, Sugoi, Powerbar, Ryders, Koobi, Pedal Magazine, Rocky Mountain
Bikes and all the generous sponsors who came out to support the ontario
Championships. Also thanks to the officials, ski patrol, staff, volunteers
and everyone who have supported this series!

Results will be posted later – but can be found now at www.chicoracing.com