April 19, 2004 – The Hyundai Sea Otter Classic showcased fierce competition as top-notch riders battled for the title in cycling's only all-around gravity competition. The Downhill Domination Mountain Cross was the final of three gravity events in the Downhill Domination Gravity Omnium. Australia's Mick Hannah (Haro/Adidas) captured the men's title and Tara Llanes (Giant/Pearl Izumi) of Los Alamitos,CA, secured the women's title.
Rounding out the top four places in the men's Omnium were: Mike King (Haro/adidas), of San Diego, CA, Australian Wade Bootes (Trek-Volkswagen) and Eric Carter (Mongoose/Hyundai) of Temecula, CA. In the women's Omnium, Sabrina Jonnier (Intense Cycles) of Australia, edged out Marla Streb (Luna Women's MTB Team) of Los Osos, CA and was followed by Leigh Donovan (GT/Hyundai) of Murrieta, CA.
For Sunday afternoon's mountain cross race, the Hyundai Sea Otter Classic packed the Laguna Seca Recreation Area to cheer for some of the best downhill athletes in the world at North America's greatest cycling festival. With a panoramic view of the Sea Otter Village and Marketplace spread below, competitors launched from the hydraulic start gate onto the mountain cross course, featuring jumps, passing lines and 180-degree turns.
In a stunning debut in the mountain cross event, BMX racer Donny Robinson of Napa snatched the victory from his competitors. Many of his early challengers slipped in the first corner of the course, a sharp turn, which was the talk of the day. Thrilled with his mountain cross debut and win, Robinson ousted top talents leaving second place to Mick Hannah and third to Mike King. In the women's race, Tara Llanes (Giant-Pearl Izumi) excelled on this course, which demanded a powerful effort on the final straightaway, Llanes strength coupled with her low clearance on jumps helped power her to the line for the final straightaway. Jamie Lilly in a strong effort to capture first, charged to second place. Self-described as “one of the old ones” in today's competition, Katrina Miller expressed her admiration for the talents of her competitors after placing third. Miller edged out “gravity goddess” Marla Streb before the final straightaway in an exciting and close finish for the quartet of powerful women.
The Hyundai Sea Otter Classic is the largest cycling festival in North America, attracting up to 50,000 spectators and participants for four days of competition, fun rides, riding demonstrations and a Tech Expo.
MEN 1st – Donny Robinson “I feel great. I usually race BMX. This is my first time on a mountain bike. I had the outside lane, which is not good, and I was tired. But I came into the first turn unscathed and knew it was going to be okay. I tried to set myself up for a win and it worked. The race was awesome. This is a great way to start off my season.”
2nd – Mick Hannah “It was awesome. The first and second turns were brutal, but it was smooth all the way. In the final, I made a gamble and Donny grabbed the lead. This is a really good base for the season.”
3rd – Mike King “I felt okay out there. My mental toughness went away after the disappointing result in the downhill race. I went into a different mode. I was really stoked for my teammate, Mick. He had an outstanding weekend and I am happy for him.”
WOMEN 1st – Tara Llanes “That weight training really paid off. I have to thank my coach! I feel really good, strong and healthy. I'm all smiles. The first turn on the course is really tough. It's a power course, which is to my advantage. I plan to train hard and stay focused.”
2nd – Jamie Lilly “I felt really good. That straightaway is made for me. I really like this course, which favors my skills. I could not jump the water, that is where Tara got me. I tried to downshift for easier pedaling, but it did not work. I am happy with second place.”
3rd – Katrina Miller “I felt pretty good. I went hard and ended up in the soft stuff on the course, not a great place to be. It was a good race. – really exciting, with a few passes. This was an exciting race for the women and for the spectators and isn't that just what our sport is supposed to be? It's been good out here at Sea Otter.”