May 28, 2007 (Vernon, New Jersey) – In the end, it was a mechanical that lead to an anti-climactic ending to the men’s event at the 2007 U.S. Open of Mountain Biking in Vernon, New Jersey yesterday.

Bryn Atkinson (AUS) GT took home top honors for the men’s race and Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) Monster Iron Horse. Fastest qualifier and defending World Champion, Sam Hill (AUS) Monster Iron Horse, suffered a flat midway down the course. Andrew Neethling (RSA) Mongoose then Bryan Atkinson sat on the hot seat that baked in the sun as rider after rider came down the dusty, loose course.

Second to last rider down, Canadian young gun Steve Smith (Cove), tore his way down the mountain and managed to slip back into second place. He was just a second back from Atkinson guaranteeing himself a podium spot, much to the delight of a fairly large Canadian contingent of racers who had all camped out at the finish to cheer him on. The clock ticked by and no Hill appeared. Eventually Hill popped into the open and proceeded to fall over into a cloud of dust, a flat tire impeding his progress.

“The course was grippier this morning, it seemed to get more loose by race time. ” Atkinson explained. “My run went great and I didn’t make many mistakes.” When asked how it felt to be $5,000 US richer, Atkinson smiled and said “it’s awesome, I’m going to put more money down on the house!”

Smith, always a man of few words who let’s his riding speak for itself managed to blurt this open between fellow country men heckling him, “It was f’in fun. It was real good!” Jeff Beatty (Mojo Orange) had a ripping time posted that would have sat him in 5th or 6th, but managed to lose traction in the last corner, in sight of the finish line. “That’s racing, it happens, you have to put it behind you.”

Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) Monster Iron Horse once again put on a clinic for the women. She stomped the small field winning by over 8 seconds. No one could touch the French woman as she blew through the rock garden and looked better than many of the men.

Results

Men
1. Bryn Atkinson (Aus) GT Bicycles 2:43.19
2. Steve Smith (Can) Cove Factory Bikes 1.15
3. Jurgen Beneke(GER) Old World Plaster 3.46
4. Duncan Riffle (USA) Honda Ironhorse 3.67
5. Curtis Keene (USA) Sram/ Specialized 5.60

9. Peter McLean (Can) Primary/Devinci/Sram 9.07
14. Kevin Bartkowski (Can) Cove Factory Bikes 13.82
17. Tyler Morland (Can) Rock Shox 15.15
27. Jeff Beatty (Can) Orange Mojo 19.90
40. Brandon Cassell (Can) Giant/Adrenalineracer/To Wheels 28:03
51. Ondrej Neumann (Can) Primary DeVinci SRAM 38.48
52. Joey Jenkins (Can) Primary Dare Devil 50.32

Women
1. Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) Monster Energy/Iron 2:58.71
2. Fionn Griffiths (GBR) Norco / Griffiths Ra 7.95
3. Kathy Pruitt (USA) Jamis Bikes 17.93
4. Missy Giove (USA) Trixter/Suzuki/No Fear 20.97
5. Amelia Colasurdo (USA) Bear Naked Cannondale 27.87

No Canadian women were entered in the event.