May 27, 2007 (Vernon, New Jersey) – Mountain Creek resort in Vernon, New Jersey is the yearly memorial day weekend stop for hundreds of racers across Canada and the USA. The US Open of Mountain Biking is the largest payout in downhill with $5,000US to first place, and another $5,000 split among the next four riders.

This season’s course is faster than ever, as course workers pulled rocks from the last few years that robbed riders of momentum, and filled in braking bumps and craters to keep the speed up. None of the other notorious rocky sections have been removed however, and the event has maintained it’s east coast flavour.

Yesterday’s qualifying runs went to Sam Hill (Aus) and Sabrina Jonnier (Fra), both of the Monster Iron Horse squad. Canadian Steve Smith (Cove Bikes) surprised just about everyone when he managed to pull within two seconds of Hill to snatch second spot. Fionn Griffiths (Gbr) was second for the women.

Retired pros MIssy Giove (USA) And Jurgen Beneke (Ger) are both in the field, and both have moved onto tomorrow’s main event. It remains to be seen whether the big payout will go to the favorites, a young gun with something to prove, or one of the old timers.

Riders were not available for comment following the event as everyone took off to get out of the scorching heat.

Men
1. Samuel Hill (Aus) Iron Horse / Monster Energy 2:45.39
2. Steve Smith (Can) Cove Bikes 2:47.11
3. Bryn Atkinson (Aus) 2:47.89
4. Curtis Keene (USA) 2:50.10
5. Duncan Riffle (USA) 2:51.38

Women
1. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) Iron Horse/Monster Energy
2. Fionn Griffiths (Gbr)
3. Kathy Pruitt (USA)
4. Amelia Colusardo (USA)
5. Missy Giove (USA)