Dubbed the Underworld Cup due to number of World Cup pros who attend, it gives athletes a great warm-up for the upcoming world cup race season. The track is short but technical, and offers a great testing ground for racers looking to get set to attack the 2013 race season.
Smith was followed by Josh Bryceland (Gbr) Santa Cruz Syndicate and Connor Fearon (Aus) Kona in 3rd. Canadians had a good showing here on the peninsula, only a short ferry ride from Vancouver Island – Mark Wallace (Devinci Global Racing) was 15th, Kyle Sangers (PerformX Commencal) place 16th, Dean Tennant (Dunbar/Transition) placed 27th. Plenty more Canadians filled out the results sheet for the men. Even freeride legend Darren Berrecloth (Specialized/Redbull) came out to test his racing luck finishing in 29th.
For the women it was Miranda Miller (Can) Santa Cruz/SRAM in second and Casey Brown (Can) Dirt Norcoin 3rd. Vaea Verbeeck (CAN) was 4th, rounding out an amazing showing by the Canadian women.
Cheering here on the peninsula has been elevated to an art form, with hundreds of slightly inebriated race fans organizing with loudspeakers and giving each racer a unique (usually derogatory) cheer as they make their way down the fast, technical Pacific northwest track at Dry Hill.
Select riders even get beer showers on the way down and various empty adult beverage cans thrown at them. It’s not strange to see blow up dolls waved in their paths as they are heckled. It’s a unique experience to say the least.
It’s safe to say that everyone had a great time, judging by the smiles all around as the rain stopped just in time for pro finals and the sun started to peek through in time for the podium.
Full results HERE.