I-Cup Series Final

Saturday, July 30th marked the final race for the 2011 Intermountain Cup series. Snowbasin was the final stop and the last chance to compete for the overall series tile. With that in mind, teams like UtahMountainBiking.com and Maddog were out in full force. There were only a few points that separated them in the team competition. For many others, it was personal battle in their individual categories. As for me, I was hoping to bring some good legs after a few tough weeks of training and testing to see if I could figure out what happened during the Crusher, a few weeks prior.Ten, quick and hungry pros lined up for a chance to take one last ICUP victory for 2011. As the gun went off, it was Keegan Swenson who set the quick pace as we climbed up the dirt road while the rest of the filed fell in line and pushed forward.Swenson opened a gap and it didn't take long for the rest of us to realize we needed some speed at the front to keep it within reach. Geoff Montague was leading us out. I was on his wheel and Nick Fisher on mine. A few others including Jonny Hintze, Jake Pantone, Chris Holley and Rich Abbott were also among the group. As we pushed up the single track, a small spot opened up. I heard Fisher begin to make a move. I planned to jump on his wheel and go with him as best as I could but Montague challenged the attack. Nick was the only one to make it around him and immediately began to put in a bit of time on the rest of us. Eventually I got by. Jonny, Jake and Chris as well. While Nick was busy catching Keegan; Jonny, myself, Chris and Jake were rolling behind.Eventually Jonny had some issues with a flat tire, Chris moved into third while Jake and I battled it out for fourth and fifth. In the end it came down to a "sprint finish." The winner would be whom ever's legs didn't cramp first. I'm not sure if his actually went before mine but I fortunately had enough space between us to hold on to fourth. You can tell from the photo that I'm pretty spent. Legs were cramped, cooked and done.As it turns out, there was a bit of a sprint finish for the win as well. Nick Fisher held off Keegan in the end and took home the W.And so another season of Intermountain Cup racing is in the books. Chris Holley took home the overall series title and it was well deserved. Geoff Montague was second and I had enough points to slip into third! I had no idea I was even close so I didn't stick around for the series awards. My apologies to Ed, and the rest of the folks who stayed. I usually try to represent a little better than that. Regardless, it was another great season of classic Utah mountain bike racing. A big thanks to Ed Chaunner and his cast and crew of volunteers that show up nearly every Saturday, to put on the races. Well done!I'd also like to give a little shout out to my new friend from Pocatello, ID. Jonas Nesser. Thanks for saying hello and the quick chat. Hope to see you around and at the races in the near future.Photos taken from Face Shots Photography. Some very nice shots take of racers on Saturday. Thanks guys!