September 20, 2004 -Team Maxxis-Giant rider Jonny Sundt made it two for
two to start the Teams 2004 Cross Campaign this past weekend at the
infamous North Seatac park. As a site of Super Cup battles of the past,
this is a course that is either loved or hated, mostly determined by the
side of country of residence.

With extra large crowds and many athletes from Oregon, the first race of
the North West’s premier series kicked off under blue skies and sunny
temperatures. Crowding the starting line alongside Sundt were stalwarts of
NW cross, course designer Matt Hill (Ti-Cycles), Eric “the Woolly Mammoth”
Tonkin and evergreen teammate Dale Knapp (Kona) and Rich McClung
(Broadmark). At the gun it was Sundt and Knapp elbow-to-elbow fighting for
the coveted hole-shot with Tonkin and Hill leading the pack around the
corner. For the first of the six laps, the lead trio of Tonkin, Sundt and
Knapp worked together, distancing themselves from the group with each
rider looking for an Achilles heal with which to exploit.

A hard charging Sundt sat on the front, pushing the pace with Tonkin
firmly on his wheel. Dale Knapp maintained his pace albeit at a gap of
some 75 meters with the chase group at another 100 meters and rising. Team
tactics between the two Kona riders was evident as Tonkin tried fruitlessly
to take the lead of the race, allowing Knap to regain the leading duo. But
the ever-wary Maxxis rider would have none of the games, pushing the
envelope throughout the race and increasing the distance to the fading
Knapp.

With two laps to go, Sundt sat in second wheel, regaining his breath and
biding his time for the final attack on Tonkin. Across the mud pit and onto
the cinder running track, Sundt allowed the Kona rider to set the pace,
watching and waiting for the opportune time. Just before the start/finish
line the spark hit the fuse and all bets were off. With a blaze of Maxxis
orange, Sundt took the lead and opened an immediate gap that Tonkin was
unable to shut down.

At the finish line it was Jonny Sundt all alone, rewarding Team
Maxxis-Giant its second victory of the season. This victory also marks the
fourth consecutive season that Jonny Sundt has claimed the opening round of
the Seattle Series.

Race Results
1. Jonny Sundt, Team Maxxis-Giant
2. Eric Tonkin, Kona
3. Dale Knapp, Kona