Windham Yankee Clipper DH Race - Pro GRT & Kenda Cup

Windham Yankee Clipper DH men's podium | credit: rufusphoto.com

There aren’t many races in the USA that offer up UCI points but Windham held a Category 1 UCI points race last weekend. There was some good competition in the pro field.  Cameron Cole and many other top racers from the East and West coast alike gathered to Windham, NY to attended the race.

The Yankee Clipper race held at Windham is part of the Pro GRT tour this year and is the next to last stop in the Pro GRT series.  It is also part of the Kenda Cup as well. Weather proved to be sunny and dry which has been quite rare for an east coast race this summer.  The heat also came along with the sun and baked the course, riders, and spectators.  Will Collins braved the heat and many riders brought out their sunny day goggles.

Will Collins | credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

It wouldn’t be the east coast however if there wasn’t at least one puddle on the course.  Somehow this one wet area remained but the rest of the course provided tacky or drier conditions.

credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

Being a Category 1 UCI points race meant that there was some good professional talent there vying for points.  Payout was expansive and precious UCI points were awarded 15 deep which will help those trying to race a World Cup (which require UCI points) an achievable goal.

Cameron Cole made the journey to Windham and it paid off for him.  He took the win at the end of the day and took home some good cash as well as 60 UCI points.

Cameron Cole | credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

Joey Schusler has been following the Pro GRT and had a bad weekend at the Pro GRT Snowmass race the weekend before which certainly made him a bit more hungry to have a good race.  He took second place and represented team Yeti well.

Joey Schusler | credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

Geritt Beytagh has had some bad luck lately and this race would prove no different.  He got a new helmet for this race, a 2010 661  Evolution, as he broke his helmet and hurt his ankle weeks prior at the Bromont World Cup during practice.  He was certainly back on pace to get on the podium this weekend but two mechanical issues would put him out of contention.  Look for Geritt to bounce back next weekend on the podium at the Whiteface 5k Downhill race.

Geritt Beytagh | credit: rufusphoto | (click to enlarge)

Geoff Ulmer, still a junior, put together a good run to claim 9th at the end of the day.  He was on the hot seat for awhile and is quickly gaining familiarity with the course. Look to see him representing USA at Worlds this year.  If you’re looking for a mint 2003 Intense M1 or other gear, he’s selling things to help get to Worlds this year!

Geoff Ulmer | credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

The riders seemed to thoroughly enjoy the course and Windham is showing they have what it takes to host a World Cup caliber downhill race.  The rock drop on the course was a favorite of the riders and made for a nice spot to shoot photos.

credit: rufusphoto.com | (click to enlarge)

Results (Full Results)

1 16 COLE, CAMERON M 21 CASHMERE 02:52.53
2 24 SCHUSLER, JOEY M 19 BOULDER COYETI/FOX SHOX FACTORY TEAM 02:58.41
3 42 ORTIZ, ALEJANDRO M 21 FLUSHING NY MORPHEUS CYCLES/HAYES/NEMA 03:03.15
4 2 HEATH, CHRIS M 26 NEW CITY NY 03:03.70
5 20 SIMS, DANIEL M 23 REMUERA AUCLLAN SMITH OPTICS/BLUESHARK LTD 03:04.24
6 22 BINGGELI, LOGAN M 20 RANCHO DOMINGUE CA KHS 03:04.75
7 21 RENNIE, JAMES M 22 CHRISTCHURCH SANTA CRUZ/THOR/SKULL CANDY 03:04.99
8 27 NEWPHER, TREVYN M 28 SNOWSHOE WVSNOWSHOE BIKE PARK/KONA 03:05.39
9 28 ULMER, GEOFF M 18 TROY NY XPREZO/POZ/CANE CREEK/GAMUT 03:08.76
10 49 MEMMELAAR, JASON M 26 CHESTER NY HAYES/MANITOU/SUN RINGLE/SMITH/5-TEN 03:09.33

Learn more about this event and others at Windham on their website.

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