PORT ANGELES — Over 500 mountain bikers hailing from across the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia descended upon Port Angeles over the weekend to participate in the highly anticipated Northwest Cup downhill mountain bike races held at Dry Hill, located just west of the city.
From budding novices to seasoned professionals, participants tackled the challenging terrain of Dry Hill, marked by its steep descents and sharp banked turns. Serving as the inaugural event of the NW Cup series, this weekend’s races set the stage for an exciting season ahead. The action-packed event will continue with a second round of races scheduled for May 17-19 at Dry Hill, followed by competitions at bike parks in Idaho and Montana throughout the summer. The series will culminate with the finals returning to Port Angeles on Sept. 6-8.
Enthusiasts from far and wide, including California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee, and Quebec, made the journey to Port Angeles to test their skills on Dry Hill’s renowned trails.
Sunday’s professional races saw Canadian riders dominating the podium, with British Columbia’s athletes securing nine out of the top 10 positions in the men’s category and claiming the top five spots in the women’s division.
In the men’s professional race, Jakob Jewett of Squamish, B.C., clinched victory with a remarkable time of 2 minutes and 26.51 seconds. Meanwhile, the women’s professional race was won by Andréane Lanthier Nadeau of Garibaldi Highland, B.C., who crossed the finish line in 2 minutes and 49.1 seconds.
Among the local contenders, Ezra Northern emerged victorious in the Category 2 (Intermediate) men’s 19-29 race, clocking in at 2 minutes and 53.69 seconds. His fellow Port Angeles resident, Talon Northern, secured the second position with a time of 2 minutes and 56.07 seconds.
While Port Angeles did not boast any professional racers, the city’s talent was evident in the expert (Category 1) races. Notably, Oscar Ruiz displayed a strong performance, finishing ninth in the Category 1 men’s 19-29 race with a time of 2 minutes and 56.36 seconds. James Gardner also showcased his skills, securing the 11th position in the Category 1 men’s 20-30 race with a time of 3 minutes and 7.82 seconds.
Additionally, local riders excelled in various age categories, with notable achievements including Will Stevenson’s third-place finish in the Category 2 men’s 60-plus race, clocking in at 3 minutes and 36.32 seconds, and Steve Johnson’s fourth-place finish with a time of 3 minutes and 38.81 seconds.
The event featured a diverse range of categories, each highlighting the exceptional talent and determination of the participants. Notable finishers in each category, along with their hometowns, sponsors, and race times, were celebrated, underscoring the spirit of camaraderie and competition that defines the Northwest Cup races.
From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming talents, the Northwest Cup races at Dry Hill showcased the thrilling spectacle of downhill mountain biking and solidified Port Angeles’ reputation as a premier destination for mountain biking enthusiasts.