Racing

Race report | Oregon Enduro #4: NAET Finale – Mt Hood

22.09.2015
by

The combined Oregon Enduro Series / North American Enduro Tour finale took place on and around beautiful Mt Hood, Oregon on September 12-13, A lot was at stake for overall awards and there was a small, yet stacked pro class eager to get the weekend started. The final points were tight for the NAET going into the weekend with 3 Marin Bikes riders, Kyle Warner, Cody Kelley and Craig Harvey filling out the top 3.

Day #1 featured 3 stages on the Sandy Ridge Trail network on the foothills of Mt Hood and day #2 consisted of 3 stages right on Mt Hood and the nearby Ski Bowl trails.
Day #1 featured 3 stages on the Sandy Ridge Trail network on the foothills of Mt Hood and day #2 consisted of 3 stages right on Mt Hood and the nearby Ski Bowl trails.
Mike Lee was on a mission in the 19-39 Expert class, taking the victory for the weekend.
Mike Lee was on a mission in the 19-39 Expert class, taking the victory for the weekend.
Zack Rosato ended up with 3rd place.
Zack Rosato ended up with 3rd place.
Jon Buckle ended up in 8th overall for the North American Enduro Tour (NAET)
Jon Buckle ended up in 8th overall for the North American Enduro Tour (NAET)
John Frey is supposed to be injured but he wasn't letting up anywhere and was looking fast.
John Frey is supposed to be injured but he wasn’t letting up anywhere and was looking fast.
What Sandy Ridge lacks in epic vistas it makes up with fun, tight, rocky singletrack. Sam Markling flying down stage #2.
What Sandy Ridge lacks in epic vistas it makes up with fun, tight, rocky singletrack. Sam Markling flying down stage #2.
Jason Boeckmann tucked.
Jason Boeckmann tucked.
Sagebrush Cycles rider Rex Shepard near the bottom of stage #3, the final stage of Saturday.
Sagebrush Cycles rider Rex Shepard near the bottom of stage #3, the final stage of Saturday.
Porsha Stockton's was just one of many flats on stage #2.
Porsha Stockton’s was just one of many flats on stage #2.
Dedication: Nathan Riddle made the 500km drive from home but could only race Saturday as he had to be back home to take care of his child. He was happy to do it just to hang out and ride with his friends.
Dedication: Nathan Riddle made the 500km drive from home but could only race Saturday as he had to be back home to take care of his child. He was happy to do it just to hang out and ride with his friends.
Cody Kelley was sitting a close #2 in the NAET right behind teammate Kyle Warner so no one was letting off of the gas.
Cody Kelley was sitting a close #2 in the NAET right behind teammate Kyle Warner so no one was letting off of the gas.
Alex McGuinness absolutely rips up these Sandy Ride trails and won all three stages on Saturday.
Alex McGuinness absolutely rips up these Sandy Ride trails and won all three stages on Saturday.
Mitch Ropelato was on-hand to add to the competitive field of pro racers.
Mitch Ropelato was on-hand to add to the competitive field of pro racers.
Rookie pro Alex Grediagin is so stylish.
Rookie pro Alex Grediagin is so stylish.
We've been seeing a lot of BMC Rider Adam Snyder this year. Another fun rider to watch.
We’ve been seeing a lot of BMC Rider Adam Snyder this year. Another fun rider to watch.
Nate Hills had a great NAET series, ending up in 4th overall.
Nate Hills had a great NAET series, ending up in 4th overall.
You can call Alex McGuinnes 'Krunk Shox' anytime. He rides fast and safe.
You can call Alex McGuinnes ‘Krunk Shox’ anytime. He rides fast and safe.
Cody Kelley checks out his time after stage #2.
Cody Kelley checks out his time after stage #2.
A junior racer on stage #3 passes through some heckling pros resting before the short climb to the top of #3.
A junior racer on stage #3 passes through some heckling pros resting before the short climb to the top of #3.
You can pretty much see Kyle Fitzgerald's smile right through his full-face helmet, he's that happy.
You can pretty much see Kyle Fitzgerald’s smile right through his full-face helmet, he’s that happy.
Craig Harvey is kind of the low-profile Marin Bikes racer. There's not a lot a flash and advertising on his kit but his results speak for themselves; 3rd place NAET
Craig Harvey is kind of the low-profile Marin Bikes racer. There’s not a lot a flash and advertising on his kit but his results speak for themselves; 3rd place NAET
Kyle Warner had the NAET Pro Title at the top of his 'to-do' list this year and his focus paid off with Kyle taking the NAET overall title for 2015.
Kyle Warner had the NAET Pro Title at the top of his ‘to-do’ list this year and his focus paid off with Kyle taking the NAET overall title for 2015.
Curtis Keene can pretty much be racing his bike anywhere in the world he wants to so having him attend is always an honor. 6th place overall NAET.
Curtis Keene can pretty much be racing his bike anywhere in the world he wants to so having him attend is always an honor. 6th place overall NAET.
Neal Strobel has no problem getting a little loose coming into the final hairpin turn of stage #3.
Neal Strobel has no problem getting a little loose coming into the final hairpin turn of stage #3.
Kim Russell is fully-focussed on the last few meters of stage #3. Kim took the OES vPro Women victory for the weekend.
Kim Russell is fully-focussed on the last few meters of stage #3. Kim took the OES vPro Women victory for the weekend.
A classic Mitch Ropelato study in riding corners faster. While many riders choose to apex this corner late, Mitch is snapping the apex of his turn early and high, next to an embedded boulder so that so gets maximum exit speed, very similar to a proper dual slalom turn.
A classic Mitch Ropelato study in riding corners faster. While many riders choose to apex this corner late, Mitch is snapping the apex of his turn early and high, next to an embedded boulder so that so gets maximum exit speed, very similar to a proper dual slalom turn.
Rebekah Rottenberg, 2nd place pro women.
Rebekah Rottenberg, 2nd place pro women.
Elaine Bothe on stage #5. 2nd place Expert Women.
Elaine Bothe on stage #5. 2nd place Expert Women.
Joe Winebrenner having fun on stage #5.
Joe Winebrenner having fun on stage #5.
Nick Harden owns a coffee shop and races his bike all around the world. Finale Ligure, Italy next!
Nick Harden owns a coffee shop and races his bike all around the world. Finale Ligure, Italy next!
Sunday's stages begin near the historical Timberline lodge on Mt Hood. The transfer to stage #4 includes this beautiful crossing in front of the mountain. Junior winner, Duncan Nason, helping making this transfer look good.
Sunday’s stages begin near the historical Timberline lodge on Mt Hood. The transfer to stage #4 includes this beautiful crossing in front of the mountain. Junior winner, Duncan Nason, helping making this transfer look good.
Kyle Warner always looks so relaxed when racing. Not slow, relaxed and fast.
Kyle Warner always looks so relaxed when racing. Not slow, relaxed and fast.
Mike Yartzoff has great focus on the trail near the top of stage #4.
Mike Yartzoff has great focus on the trail near the top of stage #4.
Nate Hills hitting the light perfectly.
Nate Hills hitting the light perfectly.
Cody Kelly always looks ready to spring into action.
Cody Kelly always looks ready to spring into action.
Rachel Jones took her stars and strips shorts to the Expert Women victory.
Rachel Jones took her stars and strips shorts to the Expert Women victory.
After stage #5 the riders were treated to the trail at Ski Bowl for stage #6. This hill is one of oldest DH venues in the Northwest USA, hosting races for over 25 years. The start of stage #6 is at the highest point you can see in this photo.
After stage #5 the riders were treated to the trail at Ski Bowl for stage #6. This hill is one of oldest DH venues in the Northwest USA, hosting races for over 25 years. The start of stage #6 is at the highest point you can see in this photo.
Sitting up at the top riders, workers and media get treated to an amazing view of Mt Hood, where stage #4 took place.
Sitting up at the top riders, workers and media get treated to an amazing view of Mt Hood, where stage #4 took place.
After the top section of stage #6 riders literally fly into a fast road-like section called Cannonball with a few jumps and wall-ride corners before reaching the rock garden and technical lower section before finishing for the year.
After the top section of stage #6 riders literally fly into a fast road-like section called Cannonball with a few jumps and wall-ride corners before reaching the rock garden and technical lower section before finishing for the year.
Photographer Dennis Yuroshek going the extra mile to get footage to the masses, even if it includes chasing riders down the course.
Photographer Dennis Yuroshek going the extra mile to get footage to the masses, even if it includes chasing riders down the course.
The entrance of the rock garden section of stage #6 looks easy enough.
The entrance of the rock garden section of stage #6 looks easy enough.
It is nothing but easy racing through this section but Neal Strobel always has a way of smoothing things out.
It is nothing but easy racing through this section but Neal Strobel always has a way of smoothing things out.
Oregon Enduro Series winner Alex McGuinness making it look easy.
Oregon Enduro Series winner Alex McGuinness making it look easy.
Alex Grediagin flows down the chute into the rock garden.
Alex Grediagin flows down the chute into the rock garden.
Cody Kelley
Cody Kelley
Neal Strobel takes the 'pro' line through Ski Bowl's DH rock garden section. Instead of taking the easier inside line here, Neal rides outside and over some larger rocks which sets him up better for the next few corners. That's Cody Kelly's dad and a medic looking over Neal's shoulder.
Neal Strobel takes the ‘pro’ line through Ski Bowl’s DH rock garden section. Instead of taking the easier inside line here, Neal rides outside and over some larger rocks which sets him up better for the next few corners. That’s Cody Kelly’s dad and a medic looking over Neal’s shoulder.
Dameon Pool recently lost his daughter, Aryen, and made a tear-jerking speach and salute while sitting on top of the podium for his Sport Men victory.
Dameon Pool recently lost his daughter, Aryen, and made a tear-jerking speach and salute while sitting on top of the podium for his Sport Men victory.
Kyle Warner making good use of the time between winning the NAET and getting on the top of the podium.
Kyle Warner making good use of the time between winning the NAET and getting on the top of the podium.
Oregon Enduro Overall Series Podium for Pro Men.
Oregon Enduro Overall Series Podium for Pro Men.
NAET Pro Men’s Podium.
NAET Pro Men’s Podium.
Kyle Warner can finally relax, letting the 2015 NAET Championship sink in.
Kyle Warner can finally relax, letting the 2015 NAET Championship sink in.
Champagne drips from the stage at the end of the poduim awards for the Oregon Endure Series weekend, overall and NAET overall series. It was a great year of racing with tight competition and smiles all around. Ready for next year already!!
Champagne drips from the stage at the end of the poduim awards for the Oregon Endure Series weekend, overall and NAET overall series. It was a great year of racing with tight competition and smiles all around. Ready for next year already!!

For more information on the Oregon Enduro Series check out their web site: oregonenduro.com

Photos: Mike Albright

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