Racing

Race Report: Enduro Cup #2 Ride Sun Valley

30.06.2014
by

Enduro Cup MTB visited the Ride Sun Valley bike festival in beautiful Ketchum, Idaho for two day of high speed racing. With lots of vertical, this event packed in a lot of other excitement besides the racing. But it always comes back to the racing. Take a look.

Every good mountain bike story starts with something being set on fire. By someone in a costume. Who may or may not shotgun a beer.
Every good mountain bike story starts with something being set on fire. By someone in a costume. Who may or may not shotgun a beer.
Kicking off the Ride Sun Valley bike fest in Hailey, ID, with the Sheep Town Drag Race (shouldn't there be more drag races on the downtown strip?), things got to a boiling point right away.
Kicking off the Ride Sun Valley bike fest in Hailey, ID, with the Sheep Town Drag Race (shouldn’t there be more drag races on the downtown strip?), things got to a boiling point right away.
Rolling into Ketchum and Sun Valley, you might be convinced to stay a while. This location is the playground of the rich and famous, but just walking down the sidewalk will transport you to another tax bracket.
Rolling into Ketchum and Sun Valley, you might be convinced to stay a while. This location is the playground of the rich and famous, but just walking down the sidewalk will transport you to another tax bracket.
And just when you thought you were already in la-la land, thinks got really out of hand with the day-glo tie dyed pixies going for the prologue victory on banana seats.
And just when you thought you were already in la-la land, thinks got really out of hand with the day-glo tie dyed pixies going for the prologue victory on banana seats.
Margaret Gregory arrived minutes before her start time, after a 12 hour drive, and proceeded to put her stamp on the weekend.
Margaret Gregory arrived minutes before her start time, after a 12 hour drive, and proceeded to put her stamp on the weekend.
After a Friday afternoon rain shower, the land of milk and honey opened her arms and welcomed the Enduro Cup with all her beauty. Sun Valley has stupendous potential, crazy amounts of vertical, and serious amounts of charm. Now, if it were just a bit easier to get to..
After a Friday afternoon rain shower, the land of milk and honey opened her arms and welcomed the Enduro Cup with all her beauty. Sun Valley has stupendous potential, crazy amounts of vertical, and serious amounts of charm. Now, if it were just a bit easier to get to..
High above Ketchum, Idaho, Cody Kelley continues his accelerated enduro education. This kid has the tools, and it's just a matter of time before he dominates a lot of races.
High above Ketchum, Idaho, Cody Kelley continues his accelerated enduro education. This kid has the tools, and it’s just a matter of time before he dominates a lot of races.
Aaron Bradford has proven his form many times. Feeling very comfortable on exposed and high speed lines, coming off of a week in Valloire, France, he seemed at total ease here in Sun Valley. Well, he always seems at ease, but this was another level.
Aaron Bradford has proven his form many times. Feeling very comfortable on exposed and high speed lines, coming off of a week in Valloire, France, he seemed at total ease here in Sun Valley. Well, he always seems at ease, but this was another level.
Amanda Cordell is not a household name on the North American enduro circuit, but showed some real flashes of speed and power in Sun Valley. Look for her to come out strong at Canyons.
Amanda Cordell is not a household name on the North American enduro circuit, but showed some real flashes of speed and power in Sun Valley. Look for her to come out strong at Canyons.
Hometown girl, and Smith Optics marketing wiz, Mal Burd, had an awesome weekend of racing with, and showing her town off to, bike industry friends.
Hometown girl, and Smith Optics marketing wiz, Mal Burd, had an awesome weekend of racing with, and showing her town off to, bike industry friends.
First year pro Dylan Crane came out swinging, fresh off a couple crashes at downhill National Champs last weekend. Another young rider to keep an eye out for on the American race circuit.
First year pro Dylan Crane came out swinging, fresh off a couple crashes at downhill National Champs last weekend. Another young rider to keep an eye out for on the American race circuit.
The 3rd special stage of Day 1 weaved in and out of the forest, at times seemingly touching the gondola passing by.
The 3rd special stage of Day 1 weaved in and out of the forest, at times seemingly touching the gondola passing by.
During this stage, Devinci rider Mason Bond would go down and require stitches to his hand, but nothing would stop him from completely stomping the final rock garden.
During this stage, Devinci rider Mason Bond would go down and require stitches to his hand, but nothing would stop him from completely stomping the final rock garden.
A fairly steep and brutal climb was a great "warm-up" for some of the racers, and a kick in the pants to many others.
A fairly steep and brutal climb was a great “warm-up” for some of the racers, and a kick in the pants to many others.
Fresh off a win at Snowmass last week, Marin rider Kyle Warner was pretty excited to be racing in Sun Valley. He has the speed and technical abilities, and just missed out on the top spot here.
Fresh off a win at Snowmass last week, Marin rider Kyle Warner was pretty excited to be racing in Sun Valley. He has the speed and technical abilities, and just missed out on the top spot here.
BMC TrailCrew rider Aaron Bradford aboard the just announced Speedfox frame. And some prototype BMC and Conti goodies.
BMC TrailCrew rider Aaron Bradford aboard the just announced Speedfox frame. And some prototype BMC and Conti goodies.
Kelley at speed on the first descent of Sunday, from the top of the mountain.
Kelley at speed on the first descent of Sunday, from the top of the mountain.
Day 1 Women's leader Lizzy Adams had some bad luck, flatting on the final special stage and losing her almost certain win.
Day 1 Women’s leader Lizzy Adams had some bad luck, flatting on the final special stage and losing her almost certain win.
Gregory rode strong and steady all weekend, kept it upright and was rewarded for long hours in the car, with the win.
Gregory rode strong and steady all weekend, kept it upright and was rewarded for long hours in the car, with the win.
Moab local Beth Roberts is always in the hunt for the win, and if not for a hard crash in Snowmass, probably would have been faster in Sun Valley. As it was, she was still speedy enough for third here. And took the win in the Sheep Town drag race, and 2nd on the pump track. Busy weekend for Beth.
Moab local Beth Roberts is always in the hunt for the win, and if not for a hard crash in Snowmass, probably would have been faster in Sun Valley. As it was, she was still speedy enough for third here. And took the win in the Sheep Town drag race, and 2nd on the pump track. Busy weekend for Beth.
It's not enduro without some untimed climbing. At least you had this view.
It’s not enduro without some untimed climbing. At least you had this view.
After doing her best Aaron Gwin impression, and riding the rim down, Simone Kastner pleaded with her tire, "Why did you go flat?"
After doing her best Aaron Gwin impression, and riding the rim down, Simone Kastner pleaded with her tire, “Why did you go flat?”
Ride Sun Valley is a killer little bike festival and makes for a great vacation.
Ride Sun Valley is a killer little bike festival and makes for a great vacation.
Girls just wanna have fun, and they did on the podium. Nice style ladies. 1.Gregory 2.Burd 3.Roberts 4.Anderson
Girls just wanna have fun, and they did on the podium. Nice style ladies. 1.Gregory 2.Burd 3.Roberts 4.Anderson
The guys wanted to have some fun too. 1.Bradford 2.Warner 3.Greene 4.Bond 5.Kelley
The guys wanted to have some fun too. 1.Bradford 2.Warner 3.Greene 4.Bond 5.Kelley
Kelley wasn't finished for the weekend, and showed up at the Idaho State Pump Track Finals.
Kelley wasn’t finished for the weekend, and showed up at the Idaho State Pump Track Finals.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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