Racing

Race Report: Big Mountain Enduro #1- Snowmass, Colorado

24.06.2014
by

Colorado enduro racing kicked off it’s summer campaign at Snowmass, CO with Round 1 of the Big Mountain Enduro. New men and women BME winners were crowned in both Pro classes.

Round 1 of the Big Mountain Enduro series comes at you from Snowmass Resort, outside of Aspen, CO. Over 300 racers were signed up to test their skills against each other. The racing consisted of 7 stages, descending over 11,700 feet, climbing 3940 feet, and covering almost 34 miles of riding. The highlight for many racers was Special stage 7, which descended on the classic NORBA and World Cup downhill course. Loss of focus on that stage meant tumbling downhill at a rapid pace, over frightening obstacles.

As part of both the Big Mountain Enduro and North American Enduro Tour, and with over $9,000 being awarded at this race alone, and approximately $50K for the BME series, this race had a lot on the line, in terms of payday and bragging rights. A top contingent of pros showed up to see who could gain an early season advantage. This is very real money, and pros showed up early in the week to begin figuring out the lay of the land, and measuring efforts needed to not only give it 110% on the special stages, but also getting through the liaison stages.

In the end, there were new winners in both the Women’s and Men’s pro classes. Both taking their first wins in the BME series were Brittany Clawson and Kyle Warner. Clawson won every stage in Snowmass on her way to the win in Snowmass. But the Men’s side of things was a battle on every level, with 6 different stage winners in 7 stages and less than a minute separating the top 4 finishers after all racing.

Snowmass was a fantastic host for Round 1 of the Big Mountain Enduro. The weather was perfect on Saturday and a classic Colorado mixture of windy storms moving quickly in and out of the high start areas, adding some spiciness on Sunday. Parking was available close to the expo area. The big trucks were able to move in and out to set up the vendor village. Lodging was also close at hand. A great combination to get the season moving. And most importantly, a very nice combination of high speed looseness, dirt park flow trails, and rugged, rowdy, technical downhill scariness. This venue has a bit of everything, and then throw in the outstanding beauty everywhere you looked, and people were really stoked to be here.

Registration and number plate pickup is always a bit of hectic affair for the first round of any summer series.
Registration and number plate pickup is always a bit of hectic affair for the first round of any summer series.
Expo and racer village during set up was buzzing with activity and racers greeting each other.
Expo and racer village during set up was buzzing with activity and racers greeting each other.
During practice, we spotted Alex Pavon, who placed well in Hood River, OR and was excited to be racing in her favorite adopted state of Colorado.
During practice, we spotted Alex Pavon, who placed well in Hood River, OR and was excited to be racing in her favorite adopted state of Colorado.
Racers are often goofing off and having a good time during practice. Mike West is familiar with the camera and certainly knows how to ride a manual.
Racers are often goofing off and having a good time during practice. Mike West is familiar with the camera and certainly knows how to ride a manual.
Some practice runs go well, some don't. Sienna Martin was showing off her dirt after going down.
Some practice runs go well, some don’t. Sienna Martin was showing off her dirt after going down.
Getting last minute calories down before heading up the mountain for Stage 1.
Getting last minute calories down before heading up the mountain for Stage 1.
Shimano all around great guy Tyler West works in the mechanic's tent before heading out on his own race run.
Shimano all around great guy Tyler West works in the mechanic’s tent before heading out on his own race run.
Marco Osborne ripping out of the start on Stage 2. Snowmass Big Mountain Enduro.
Marco Osborne ripping out of the start on Stage 2. Snowmass Big Mountain Enduro.
Nate Hills, last year's overall champ, wearing plate #1 with Maroon Bells in the background.
Nate Hills, last year’s overall champ, wearing plate #1 with Maroon Bells in the background.
The yin and the yang marks the spot. Beginning of Stage 2, won by Brittany Clawson and Mike West.
The yin and the yang marks the spot. Beginning of Stage 2, won by Brittany Clawson and Mike West.
Brittany Clawson may be a newcomer to the BME race scene, and enduro in general, but she has a decorated college downhill career at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.
Brittany Clawson may be a newcomer to the BME race scene, and enduro in general, but she has a decorated college downhill career at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.
Chris Heath works for Yeti Cycles full time as a sales guy, then does product testing on the weekends.
Chris Heath works for Yeti Cycles full time as a sales guy, then does product testing on the weekends.
In between stages, many racers took advantage of foam rollers and spin bikes at Dee Tidwell's Enduro MTB Training tent.
In between stages, many racers took advantage of foam rollers and spin bikes at Dee Tidwell’s Enduro MTB Training tent.
Stage 7 had some rowdy terrain, with the fastest line in the Hell's Kitchen section being a four foot drop.
Stage 7 had some rowdy terrain, with the fastest line in the Hell’s Kitchen section being a four foot drop.
Cannondale WTB rider Marco Osborne, equipped with his Lefty fork, somehow maintains control through the moon dust dry conditions.
Cannondale WTB rider Marco Osborne, equipped with his Lefty fork, somehow maintains control through the moon dust dry conditions.
Race promoter Brandon Ontiveros signs the giant check, which all podium finishers receive, in addition to the small check, which is the real thing.
Race promoter Brandon Ontiveros signs the giant check, which all podium finishers receive, in addition to the small check, which is the real thing.
Post race, the vibe is all about hanging out with your friends, family and dogs, having a beer, relaxing and talking mountain biking.
Post race, the vibe is all about hanging out with your friends, family and dogs, having a beer, relaxing and talking mountain biking.
Sometimes a spontaneous game of corn-hole breaks out, with lots of sets of tires on the line.
Sometimes a spontaneous game of corn-hole breaks out, with lots of sets of tires on the line.
Nate Hills was happy with his day's performance, and can usually be found goofing around after the race.
Nate Hills was happy with his day’s performance, and can usually be found goofing around after the race.
The youngest racer of the day, at 12 year's old, was clearly stoked to win a Maxxis tire in the raffle.
The youngest racer of the day, at 12 year’s old, was clearly stoked to win a Maxxis tire in the raffle.
Cody Kelley and Mason Bond discuss race strategies. Or maybe make dinner plans. Both help lead the charge of young American racers shaping the North American race scene.
Cody Kelley and Mason Bond discuss race strategies. Or maybe make dinner plans. Both help lead the charge of young American racers shaping the North American race scene.
Part of the "Lady Shred Crew", Tricia, Sienna, Leigh and Meredith watch the awards ceremony.
Part of the “Lady Shred Crew”, Tricia, Sienna, Leigh and Meredith watch the awards ceremony.
A big crowd of female shredders raced in this year's Snowmass Big Mountain Enduro event. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
A big crowd of female shredders raced in this year’s Snowmass Big Mountain Enduro event. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
Junior podium with lots of fit, talented racers. This is the very soon future. 1.Snow 2.Bagley 3.Erben 4.Farmer 5.Grange
Junior podium with lots of fit, talented racers. This is the very soon future. 1.Snow 2.Bagley 3.Erben 4.Farmer 5.Grange
The Ladies podium working it for the crowd. 1.Clawson 2.Gregory 3.Pavon 4.Dmitriew 5.Roberts
The Ladies podium working it for the crowd. 1.Clawson 2.Gregory 3.Pavon 4.Dmitriew 5.Roberts
Men's podium. 1.Warner 2.Hills 3.West 4.Osborne 5.Kelley
Men’s podium. 1.Warner 2.Hills 3.West 4.Osborne 5.Kelley
No champagne to finalize the Snowmass BME, as Osborne gets doused with Dale's Pale Ale.
No champagne to finalize the Snowmass BME, as Osborne gets doused with Dale’s Pale Ale.

Watch the race recap below.

Big Mountain Enduro: Snowmass, CO – 2014 Race #1 from Big Mountain Enduro on Vimeo.

Words: Daniel Dunn Photos:Nick Ontiveros, Daniel Dunn

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