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Deer Valley NORBA wraps up in style

Published: Jun. 19, 2005
Deer Valley NORBA wraps up in style
Deer Valley NORBA wraps up in style

Deer Valley, Utah –The final day of competition at the 2005 NORBA No. 3 came to a close Sunday, with both the cross-country and gravity events finishing in dramatic fashion. After riding away from a stacked men’s field in Saturday’s cross-country race, Kiwi Kashi Leuchs (Bianchi-Agos) looked prepared to defend his slim lead in GC over reigning American champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher)

Shonny Vanlandingham showing 'em how it's done
Shonny Vanlandingham showing 'em how it's done

But as the racers left the gate and started spinning around the twisty .5-mile long course, Leuchs, more accustomed to the longer European races, was blown off the back.

American Olympian Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai) led Horgan-Kobelski, Ryan Trebon (Kona-Les Gets), Geoff Kabush (Maxxis), and former world champ Roland Green (Kona-Les Gets) around the course for the first four laps before edging a slight gap into the field. Kabush was the only rider able to close the hole, but suffered a puncture soon after making contact, and was relegated to walking the rest of the race until marshals pulled him from competition.

Kabush's mangled rear tire after the short track.
Kabush's mangled rear tire after the short track.

With Leuchs a full half-lap down, Horgan-Kobelski and Trebon stopped chasing Wells, who coasted to his first career short track victory. Behind, a charging Seamus McGrath (Haro) overtook Trebon and Horgan-Kobelski for second. Trebon and Horgan-Kobelski, who finished 1-2 in general classification, posted career-best finishes in a NORBA stage race.

“I’ve never won one of these things before and to finally get it is pretty awesome,” said Horgan-Kobelski.

Trebon, who got a late jump on the mountain-bike season after racing a full cyclo-cross season was also pleased with his finish.

“It feels good to finally be in shape. I’m just glad I’m not sucking ass anymore,” he said.

On the women’s side, Saturday’s cross-country winner Shonny Vanlandingham continued to dominate the women’s field, and went off the front early. Susan Haywood (Trek-VW) led the charge and chased Vanlandingham down, but hot on the Trek rider’s wheel were Dara Marks-Marino (Ford) and Vanlandingham’s Luna teammate Katerina Hanusova. Vanlandingham and Hanusova took turns attackikng the field until Vanlandingham was able to break away for the solo victory.

“It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I have two other teammates who could easily win the race,” said Vanlandingham. “We didn’t plan this out before the race, but we know how to work together.”

Injuries proved costly in the women’s downhill race, as early favorites Kathy Pruitt (Luna) and Danni Connolly (KHS) both had unplanned encounters with trees during their warm up runs Saturday. Pruitt fractured a bone in her right hand, and Connolly broke her right ring finger. With both women taking Sunday’s final a bit easier –Pruitt had to Velcro her hand to the handlebars –former Canadian national champion Michelle Dumaresq sped away with the victory.

The men’s race appeared to be in the hands of Aussie Chris Kovarik, who’s 2:47.68 was virtually untouched by the early racers struggling to break the 3:00 mark. Kovarik is back racing on the NORBA circuit after sitting out the entire 2004 season spent rehabilitating a shattered left ankle, hurt in a motocross accident.

“I was pretty miserable. I spent five months in a cast and couldn’t ride my bike for seven,” said Kovarik. “I didn’t know if I’d ever race again.”

It wasn’t until there were two racers left to descend that Kovarik’s time was bested –former world champ Greg Minnaar (G-Cross-Honda) skied off of the final drop to finish 0.39 seconds ahead, leaving only Aussie Jared Graves (Yeti Cycles) on the mountain.

Graves came speeding down the final straightaway, hit the drop and nearly lost his balance on impact, but sped through the gates with a 2:46.88 to win the prize.

“I’m bloody speechless right now. After the qualifying run I thought I’d have more of a problem with the technical section, but something was working today for me,” he said. The Aussie won’t be traveling back to Europe any time soon. He has his sights set on the NORBA overall.

NORBA NATIONAL AT DEER VALLEY, UTAH
SHORT TRACK CROSS COUNTRYMEN
1. Todd Wells, GT-Hyundai, 21:38
2. Seamus McGrath (Can), Haro, at 0:11
3. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Subaru-Gary Fisher, at 0:12
4. Adam Craig, Giant Bicycles, at 0:23
5. Ryan Trebon, Kona-Les Gets, at 0:29
6. Chris Sheppard (Can), Haro, at 0:37
7. Jeremiah Bishop, Trek-VW, at 0:54
8. Kashi Leuchs, Bianchi-Agos, at 0:56
9. Mathieu Toulouse, Maxxis, at 0:58
10. Carl Decker, Giant, at 1:00WOMEN
1. Shonny Vanlandingham, Luna, at 23:29
2. Katerina Hanusova, Luna, at 0:04
3. Susan Haywood, Trek-VW, at 0:05
4. Dara Marks-Marino, at 0:16
5. Alison Dunlap, Luna, at 0:29
6. Heather Irmiger, Tokyo Joes-Go Lite, at 0:32
7. Georgia Gould, Tamarack, at 0:44
8. Kerry Barnholt, Subaru-Gary Fisher, at 0:58
9. Willow Koerber, Subaru-Gary Fisher, at 1:30
10. Gretchen Reeves, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects, at 2:31MEN FINAL GC
1. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski
2. Ryan Trebon
3. Kashi Leuchs
4. Adam Craig
5. Geoff KabushWOMEN FINAL GC
1. Shonny Vanlandingham
2. Heather Irmiger
3. Susan Haywood
4. Dara Marks-Marino
5. Katerina Hanusova

DOWNHILL
MEN
1. Jared Graves (Aus), Yeti Cycles, 2:48:88
2. Greg Minnaar (RSA), G-Cross-Honda, 2:47:29
3. Chris Kovarik (Aus), Intense, 2:47:68
4. Joel Panozzo (Aus),WTB, 2:48:93
5. Jared Rando (Aus), Giant-Michelin, 2:52:33
6. John Kirkaldie (NZ), Maxxis, 2:52:64
7. Mick Hannah, Haro-Adidas, 2:53:86
8. Chris Van Dine, Go-Ride.com, 2:54:36
9. Gerrit Beytagh, Team Morewood, 2:55:67
10. Curtis Keene (Aus), Astrix, 2:59:34

WOMEN
1. Michelle Dumaresq (Can), Santa Cruz, 3:25.50
2. Bernadita Pizarro (CH), Cannondale, 3:29.l0
3. Lisa Mylak, Morewood, 3:32.5
4. Melissa Miller, SWD, 3:43.8
5. Danni Connolly, KHS, 3:44.1
6. Joanna Petterson (RSA), Morewood, 3:48.5
7. Kote Driscoll, Kenda, 3:50.0
8. Kathy Pruitt, Luna, 3:50.4
9. Anka Martin (RSA), Honda-Turner, 3:52.2
10. Wendy Reynolds, Cannondale, 3:54.8

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