Racing

Race Report | Round #2 Oregon Enduro Series, Hood River

26.06.2015
by

The Hood River race is the second event of both the Oregon Enduro Series and the North American Enduro Tour. Hood River’s amazing variety of terrain is a perfect start to the season. This challenging two day event offered multiple stages on both days. The trails in Post Canyon flow naturally through the steep rolling hills between the north side of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.

The expo area and home base for the event is at the bottom of the Post Canyon trail network just a few miles outside of town. The area is a scenic wonderland of natural beauty in every season. In addition to being the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River offers kite boarding and stand-up paddle boarding, mountain and road biking, hiking, whitewater kayaking and rafting, fishing, and world-class skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

Hood River, Oregon was the perfect place for fast, hilly riding and technical rock section with its beautiful forest landscapes. The riders, staff, and spectators of the Oregon Enduro series wound up having a killer weekend of racing.
Hood River, Oregon was the perfect place for fast, hilly riding and technical rock section with its beautiful forest landscapes. The riders, staff, and spectators of the Oregon Enduro series wound up having a killer weekend of racing.
The second day was a little more forgiving with the clouds sheltering everyone from the sunlight. Riders piled up in the green hills of Hood River.
The second day was a little more forgiving with the clouds sheltering everyone from the sunlight. Riders piled up in the green hills of Hood River.

A total of seven stage races over two days (three on Saturday, four on Sunday) are what the riders had to look forward to, with stage #2 being sponsored by BELL, the BELL SUPER STAGE, with the fastest amateur Male and Female receiving a BELL Transfer 9.

Practice started on Friday morning, with practice shuttles taking the competitors to their vantage points. A lot of mechanical mishaps were seen along the route and gave the riders a taste of what was to come. Big up Saturday morning, bright and early. 8:15am hits and shuttles were loaded, ready to hit the trails. A short ride up with pro’s starting at 9:15am and others following saw some huge lines taken and massive drops hit. Mitch Ropelato silenced everyone once again with some seriously gnarly riding.

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Part of the race is being able to get your bike through the rough terrian without problems. At least every part of the trail has a beautiful setting to admire.
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Riders blasted down the hilly trails that threw big rocks in their faces and dust in their eyes.
Mitch Ropelato getting some speed through some rocks. Will his impressive speeds pay off?
Mitch Ropelato getting some speed through some rocks. Will his impressive speeds pay off?
With his sprint full speed Neal Strobel nears the finish line. After two days of racing he ended up in 12th place.
With his sprint full speed Neal Strobel nears the finish line. After two days of racing he ended up in 12th place.

Hood River was just the second race in a four race series from the Oregon Enduro Series. Stage #1 resided in Bend on June 7th and the next are Mt Bachelor and Mt Hood on August 23rd and September 12th. It’s safe to say we’re excited.

Andriane Lanthier, Kelli Emmett, Kim Russell, Jenny Konway, and Rebekah Rottenberg get rowdy after the results put them on the podium.
Andriane Lanthier, Kelli Emmett, Kim Russell, Jenny Konway, and Rebekah Rottenberg get rowdy after the results put them on the podium.
The pro women are always stoked to race. Andriane Lanthier (1rst), Kelli Emmett (2nd), Kim Russell (3rd), Jenny Konway (4th), and Rebekah Rottenberg (5th)
The pro women are always stoked to race. Andriane Lanthier (1rst), Kelli Emmett (2nd), Kim Russell (3rd), Jenny Konway (4th), and Rebekah Rottenberg (5th)
The pro men sneak up on the 1rst place rider Mitch Ropelato and drench him with some victory champane.
The pro men sneak up on the 1rst place rider Mitch Ropelato and drench him with some victory champane.

Results

Men
1. Mitch Ropelato | Factory Specialized Monster Energy
2. Marco Osborne | WTB Cannondale Overmountain Team
3. Curtis Keene | Specialized SRAM Team
4. Kirt Voreis | (Too many sponsors)
5. Kyle Warner | Marin SR Suntour Amain.com Shimano Smith

Women
1. Andriane Lanthier | Rocky Mountain Factory Team
2. Kelli Emmet | Juliana x SRAM Pro Team
3. Kim Russel | YETI, Chris King + Others
4. Jenny Konway | Dirty Harlots
5. Rebekah Rottenberg | Lost Coast Brewery

For more info and full results, visit: oregonenduro.com

Words & Photos: Rilee Buck, Oregon Enduro Series

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