U.S. CHAMPS DAY 2
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The second day of competition at U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships at Mount Snow Resort was highlighted by the Semipro and Junior Expert Cross-Country race. Weston Schempf (Sinking Springs) was awarded the Stars and Stripes jersey in semipro cross-country, while Robbie Squire, Sandy, UT, won his first national championship in 17-18 Junior Expert. Seth Kemp (Campobello (S.C.) was awarded the 15-16 Junior Expert Cross-Country title, while Essence Barton, Thousand Oaks (CA) won the Women Junior Expert race.
As nearly 70 riders lined up to begin the Semipro Cross-Country competition, things heated up in Southern Vermont on Friday morning. Schempf (Fort Collins CO) and Benjamin Portilla, both hardtail riders, were in front at the 20-mile race. Portilla, silver medalist, was able to hold the winner’s wheel for the first two laps but lost his pace as the sun disappeared and temperatures rose to 90+ degrees. Schempf managed to beat Portilla on the final lap and post a winning time.
Similar to the Squire/John Bennett duo (El Cerrito CA) established an early gap in the 17-18 Junior Expert race. They never looked back. After a long race and despite a third lap accident, the victory was theirs.
Bennett was eventually overtaken by Squire on the final lap descent. Squire, who was 23rd in the junior men’s race at the World Championships in July, won his first national title.
John and I weren’t feeling so hot when we set off, but we were able to make a break and we fought it out the rest, said Squire.
Barton won the junior expert women’s race in 2005. On Friday, Barton regained the Stars-and-Stripes. She held off Jill Behlen (Boulder CO), for the win. The junior women’s race was the most competitive of the day, with only 12 seconds between them.
Behlen explained that Essence took off right from the start. However, I was able to see her at the end the third lap. I nearly caught her, but I crashed at the top on the final descent.
Kemp won the title of 15-16 Junior Expert with a time in excess of
On Friday, Christopher Herndon (Etowah (NC) was the fastest qualifier in dual slalom. He beat Eric Carter (Winchester (CA) and Ross Milan(Golden, CO) to be the top seed. Melissa Buhl, recently crowned World Champion (Chandler AZ), was the fastest rider at the Pro Womens Dual Slalom.
qualifying. She was awarded the top seed ahead Kathy Pruitt (Lake Almanor CA) and Darian Harvey(Durango CO).
U.S. U.S.
1. Weston SchempfC3 – Sollay 2. Benjamin PortillaHoney Stin 3. Gian Dalle Angelini 4. Ryan Leechvisitpa 5. Benjamin MooreUW Madison 6. Justin RaynesBikes Vian Martin KellMountainsi Ben OrttRay Indoor 9. Brett NicholsTrek-VW RE 10. Troy AdamsThe Bike Shop
U.S. U.S.
1. Robbie SquireDevo 2. John BennettWhole Athlete Seamus PowellWindham Mt 4. Eric EmskyRad Race 5. Kerry WernerShirks Pre 6. Zach AdamsYellow Bre 7. Wes LambersonKHS-Kenda 8. Russell FinsterwaldFront Range CurryBrick Oven 10. Daniel BoyesSoulcraft
U.S. U.S.
1. Essence BartonDevo – NSO 2. Jill BehlenTokyo Joes Emily ParkerVantaggio 4. Deidre YorkVelobum
U.S. U.S.
1. Seth KempKHS-Kenda 2. Henry SprengDirtyHarr Ben SukysExpert Tre 4. William CurtisWhole Athlete 5. Jake RichardsSalsa Holl 6. Payson McElveenBicycle Sp 7. Ben Chase 8. JonathanByrds Zane EndersAutoliv
U.S. U.S.
1. Christopher HerndonSpecialized-Decline
2. Eric CarterMongoose
3. Ross MilanYeti
4. Kyle StraitOakley-Specialized
5. JD SwanguenMS-Intense
6. Mike HadererFoxShox-Yeti
7. Logan BinggeliKHS
8. Geritt BeytaghMorewood
9. Rich HousemanYeti-FoxShox
10. Joe HaleyEastern Bike-Maxxis
WOMEN
1. Melissa BuhlKHS
2. Kathy PruittJamis
3. Darian HarveySobe-Cannondale
4. Jessica VogtTurner
5. Allegra BurchVelo Bella
