Kenda Cup West #5 - Santa Ynez Valley Classic - NE

Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, California, USA, April 25-26, 2009

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Race 3 - April 25: Dual Slalom

Carter pedals to victory

By Dave McElwaine in Santa Ynez

Eric Carter (GT)
Photo ©: Dave McElwaine

On a windy day in Los Olivos, Eric Carter (GT) again proved that he is a master at riding gated courses. He won despite having competed in a grueling Super D race thirty minutes prior to racing dual slalom. Jeff Buchar was second ahead of Jon Buckell in third. Carter's GT teammate Kevin Aiello was fourth.

Unlike last year when racers faced temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this year's dual slalom was contested in a chilly 54 degrees into a headwind. While the course seemed somewhat short and did not have a huge amount of elevation, it provided plenty of action. Many races were so close they were determined by a bike throw at the finish line.

"The Central Coast is fantastic and we had a great time racing," said Carter after his win. "The course was fun to ride and some old friends came out and raced with us. Man, I'm riding bikes and having fun, so I don't know how you could find anything negative about it."

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net

The young riders were having a blast on the Santa Ynez course.
Eric Carter (GT) got a bye in the first round.
The juniors got to race at the same time as the big boys.
Jeff Burcar made it all the way to the finals against Eric Carter.
Watching bike racing in wine country
Justin Wyche flies through the air on the red course.
Christian Wright races in the round of four in the Cat 1 Juniors.
Brad Lawrence is in the Cat 1 Men 30-39.
Racing at the very top of the course.
GT teammates Eric Carter (L) and Kevin Aiello. Carter won the round.
Kevin Aiello attempts to catch US Champion Eric Carter.
Jeff Burcar races from behind Jon Buckell.
Stylish spectator
Racers had to push their bikes to the top of the course.
This "Hitman" on a pink bike was a crowd favorite.
Kevin Aiello barely loses the semis on his second run.
Jon Buckell leads Kevin Aiello in the consolation round.
There were lots of wheelies at the finish.
Eric Carter beats Jeff Burcar with a bike throw.
Eric Carter (GT) said the racing was a lot of fun.
Second place Jeff Burcar seemed pleased his his result.

Results

Elite men

1 Eric Carter (GT Bikes)                           
2 Jeff Burcar (Sho-Air)                            
3 Jonathan Buckell (Sobe/Cannondale)               
4 Kevin Aiello (GT Bikes)                          
5 James Amaral (Point One Racing)                  
6 Anthony Marino (Aventt)                          

Open women

1 Nancy Harris (The Path Bike Shop)                

Category 1 Men 18 & under

1 Justin Wyche (D26)                               
2 Alex Amaral (Point One Racing/Fox Shox)          
3 Davin Richenberg (Marks Baywood Cyclery)         
4 Clark Wright (Commencal)                         

Category 1 Men 19-29

1 Ryan Egusquiza (Cycle World)                     
2 Mike Cousimano (D-26 Clothing/Mongoose/Tribe)    

Category 1 Men 30-39

1 Josh Graham (Mountaincycle)                      
2 Brad Lawrence (Downfast)                         
3 Darren Brooks (Vriptech.Com)                     

Category 1 Men 40+

1 Tad Lent (Tnt Racing)                            
2 Joe Fabris (Fightin Boba)                        
3 Roger Gutierrez (Path Bike)                      

Category 2 Men 18 & under

1 Alex Kachlakev                                   

Category 2 Men 19-29

1 James Fuller (Aj)                                
2 Zach Smith (Miracle Racing)                      
3 Patrick Branch (Pbmedia)                         
4 Jerome Lacote (Jay The Hil Bikes)                
5 Ryan Osborne                                     
6 Sean Mcbeth                                      
7 Anthony Castellana (661/Royal Racing)            
8 Tim Lukko (Point One Racing)                     

Category 2 Men Senior 30+

1 Jim Latham                                       

Category 3 Men 14 & under

1 Jeremy Call (805 Hammerhead)                     
2 Cole Astamedni (805 Racing)                      
3 Zach Burg                                        

Category 3 Men 15-18

1 Vince Murdzak                                    

Category 3 Men 19-29

1 Jason Arnold                                     
2 Roscoe Cummins                                   
3 Ramses Vazquez