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

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

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Race 5 - April 26: Elite & Category 1 Downhill

Eric Carter wins again at Santa Ynez

By Dave McElwaine in Los Olivos, California

Eric Carter (GT) won the Santa Ynez downhill, beating his rivals on two runs by a combined seven seconds. Anthon Medaglia (SRAM) was second while Jordan Lopez (WTB/Santa Cruz) claimed third.

"I had two runs that were really consistent," said Carter. "I checked up a bit on the second run. With the combined format I knew I had a pretty good gap. When the wind started to gust side winds I wanted to stay up. It was a fun course...a lot of high speed corners and fun jumps.

"But I think that on the top is where I ultimately won it," he added. "I stood up and tried harder than the other guys and had more gear to pull on."

Carter, a 39-year-old who will next compete at the U.S. Open in New Jersey, also won the Dual Slalom event on Saturday and finished fifth in the Super D competition.

Riders faced a headwind on the scenic course, which required somewhat more pedaling at the top than normal. Carter described the race as a sprint from start to finish, with winning in the 1:32 minute range.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net

Practice runs on Saturday.
Riders catch a ride to the top of the course.
The Santa Ynez course early morning, before the downhillers are even awake.
Margar Gregory (Don's Bikes) was first down the course.
Eric Carter (GT) in the air on his first run.
Eric Carter (GT)
Kevin Aiello (GT) focusing on the track.
Anthon Medaglia (SRAM) on his way to second place.
Jimmy Amaral (Point One) soaring off a jump.
Jordan Lopez (WTB/Santa Cruz) on his way to third place.
Flying on a Giant.
Evan Bissell in the Cat 1 Men 17-18.
Justin Wyche (D26) taking second in Cat 1 Men 17-18.
Nathanial Oliver (Cycle Paths) in the Cat 1 Men 19-24 race.
Robert Ramirez in the Cat 1 Men 19-24 race.
Tom Doran (No Fear Go)
Josef Duller (Airborne) winning the Cat 1 Men 19-24 race.
Airing it out on the course.
Efren Cabreros winning the Cat 1 Men 40-44 race.
Margar Gregory on her second run.
Eric Carter (GT) cornering on his second run.
Sean Osborn (Privateer) on his way to fourth place.
Kevin Aiello (GT) cornering in fifth place.

Results

Pro Men
 
1 Eric Carter (GT Bikes)                     3.05.6
2 Anthony Medaglia (SRAM)                    0.06.9
3 Jordan Lopez (Wtb/Santa Cruz/Fox S)        0.08.6
4 Sean Osborne (Privateer)                   0.10.1
5 Kevin Aiello (GT Bikes)                    0.11.9
6 Jimmy Amaral (Point One Racing)            0.13.2
DNF Roger Evans                                    
 
Cat 1 Men 17-18
 
1 Caleb Marmelejo (Cycle Star Bikes)         3.14.4
2 Justin Wyche (D26)                         0.00.9
3 Alex Amaral (Point One Racing/Fox)         0.01.1
4 Allen Stoddard                             0.02.2
5 Nibal Elias (Evomo)                        0.03.4
6 Jeff Witten                                0.08.4
7 Traver Joehnck                             0.08.9
8 Evan Bissell                               0.09.4
9 Logan Kemp (Point One)                     0.20.2
DNF Kenny Evans                                    
 
Cat 1 Men 15-16
 
1 Christian Wright (Commencal)               3.16.0
2 Davin Richenberg (Marks Baywood Cycler)    0.02.8
DNF Cody Smith                                     
 
Cat 1 Men 19-24
 
1 Josef Duller (Airborne)                    3.12.7
2 Ian Ferguson (Alba Bike Works)             0.05.9
3 Ryan Christie                              0.09.0
4 Robert Ramirez                             0.09.6
5 Nathaniel Oliver (Cyclepaths)              0.10.2
6 Chris Lauber (Point One)                   0.15.1
7 Josh Eiseh (Ice Tools)                     0.18.2
8 John Koch (Habilis)                        0.20.3
9 Geoff Fischer (Odi Southridge)             0.26.1
DNF Tom Doran (No Fear Go Pro)                     
 
Cat 1 Men 35-39
 
1 Brad Lawrence (Downfast)                   3.28.6
2 Darren Brooks (Vriptech.Com)               0.04.3
3 Kenyon Kluge (K Squared)                   0.15.4
 
Cat 1 Men 40-44
 
1 Efren Cabreros (Arts Cyclery)              3.32.6
2 Tad Lent (Tnt Racing)                      0.01.6
3 Michael Hernandez                          0.01.8
 
Cat 1 Men 45-49
 
DNF Brad Jensen (Oneal/Azonic)                     
 
Cat 1 Men 50+
 
1 Joe Fabris (Fightin Boba)                  3.49.7
2 Roger Oien (Maxxis/Sunrd)                  0.01.4
 
Cat 1 Women 19-29
 
1 Margaret Gregory (Dons Bikes)              3.50.8
1 Vanessa Humic (Backbone Adventure C)       7.04.0