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May 2-4 | Nathrop, CO
XC, STXC, DS, MX  
CHALK CREEK RECAPMOUNTAIN STATES CUP No. 2 CHALK CREEK STAMPEDE Golden, Colo. – While most Coloradans grumbled and groaned about the late-spring blizzard that blanketed most of the state, Nathrop, Colo. lived up to its advanced billing as the heart of Colorado’s Banana Belt. Nathrop and the MacMurray Ranch played host to the second round of the 2008 Mountain States Cup—The Chalk Creek Stampede, which happily enough found itself in the donut hole of the storm. Blue skies and warm temps were abundant as National Champions, World Champions, pros and amateurs alike all turned out in droves to check out the second round of this year’s MSC which featured dual slalom, mountaincross, cross country and short track. Hanak, Milan, Carter, Big House Headline Fox Racing Shox 4X
The MSC gravity season opener brought many pros to the stage before heading off to World Cup races. In fact the men’s pro finals looked a lot like a World Cup gate with former World Champ Eric Carter (Mongoose), reigning National Champ Rich Houseman (Yeti / Fox), Czech Pro Peter Hanak (Totally Wired) and World Cup stud Ross Milan (Yeti / Fox) in the gate. Hanak took the win while Milan’s ho-holds-barred approach placed him firmly in second with Carter and Big House rounding out the podium. Joanna Petterson and Bobbi Watt (Tough Girl/Contessa) held strong for first and second in the pro women. Bill Te Selle (Orbit Racing) notched the first-ever victory in the MSC’s all new vet pro class while 16-year-old phenomenon Shawn Neer (Orbit Racing) took the win in the semi-pro field. Sport and beginner racers were treated to a completely separate course and gate on which to practice and compete on, prompting one young competitor to remark “I’ve never had this much practice before! How am I s’posed to have anything left for finals?” Henry, Smith Grind out XC WinsSaturday’s Shimano XTR Cross Country course took riders out on a seven-mile lap through sandy bogs, technical climbs and the notorious one-mile false flat that left riders breathless for the loose descent into the winding, root-laden Chalk Creek Trail. Pros and experts circuited the course four times with the top six pro men finishing under two hours. Reigning Marathon National Champion Jay Henry (Tokyo Joes) took first with a 1:53:25 with Rotem Ishay (Spider - Kona CC) close behind in 1:53:25. Fresh off an extended stay in South Africa for the Cape Epic, Trek/VW pro Jennifer Smith and Giant Bicycles’ Kelli Emmett (fresh off a huge win in the Sea Otter XC) led the pro women with a 2:10:38 and 2:14:56 respectively. Henry, Smith Double-up with Short Track VictoriesSunday’s short track races brought added intensity to the weekend. The Dale’s Pale Ale Chalk Creek Cowpatty Short Track routed racers through parts of the sandy cross country and into a small section of the 4X course. The lactate threshold contingent rolled through the berms and over jumps with the gravity-at-heart riders doubling up for the spectators. Henry and Brian Fuentes (Waltworks/Fuentes Design) duked it out at the front in what could only be described as a sadistic combination of a tactical chess match and a punch-each-other-in-the-face suffer-fest with Henry ultimately sprinting away for the win out of the final corner. Mitchell Hoke (Tokyo Joes) steadily worked his way through most of the top half of the field to take third. On the women’s side Smith and Emmett traded pulls at the front while maintaining their positions in the lead of a large pack. Smith came around the final corner in the lead and Emmett couldn’t summon the horsepower to come around for the win. Jennifer Gersbach (Dale’s Pale Ale/Spot Brand) slugged it out in no man’s land for third. Aaron who?Dual slalom racers were stoked about a full day of practice on the buttery smooth course with a record field qualifying to race. Newcomer Aaron Gwin (Yeti Fox) proved that you only have to ride a mountain bike for three months before getting to the top. Gwin worked his way through half of the Yeti squad before meeting Ross “Crusher” Milan in the finals. Gwin headed into the second heat with a .22 second advantage and lead throughout the second run earning the top place on the podium. Gwin’s future looks bright and Yeti looks smart (lucky?) for signing this kid whose potential seems to be relatively untapped. On the women’s side Petterson worked her way through the field with a sniper’s ruthless mentality earning herself a showdown with Lisa Myklak (Spyder/Black Market Bikes) in the big final. Petterson showed why she’s a threat at the World Cup level by powering away for a solid win in both of her heats. Gwin Interview:MSC: So you notched a big win. Was this what you were expecting after making the long trip from California?AG: It feels great to get the win, especially since this is only my second gated race ever. (Ed: Gwin’s first gated race was the 2008 Sea Otter Classic.) It was a little weird driving through the ranch, I mean you pass all this old farm equipment, then all the old fencing…oh yeah, and all the old campers! (laughs) I was expecting something pretty clapped out, but when we actually got to the gated venue I was really, really surprised. The courses were really, really good. MSC: So you’re staying with Darner for a bit. What’s that been like?AG: Ummm…’interesting?’ Is that the right word? Big House (Yeti/Fox rider Rich Houseman) has been giving me a hard time telling me that when I get back to San Diego all I’m going to do is make fun of him, drink whisky and swear like a sailor. Darner’s a pretty interesting guy, but in a good way. We’re going to be working on the courses a bit, hopefully to make them even better. MSC: And Mrs. Darner?AG: (Laughing)…it’s not too hard to tell who the real jefe is at La Casa Darner. MSC: So what’s next?AG: Well, Darner and I are going to ride a lot, then we’re headed down to the next MSC race in Angel Fire. I’m after the UCI points there and hopefully a stars and stripes jersey in the 4X. I’ve been racing in SoCal for the past few months and have heard a lot about the 4X and DH courses down there. I’m pretty excited to ride those big courses – from what I can tell, they’re the real deal.
CHALK CREEK RESULTS (for complete results visit www.racemsc.com) Chile Challenge PreviewNext up on the tour? MSC #3, The Chile Challenge in Angel Fire, N.M. May 23-26 where there’s a lot at stake. “Chile” is part of USAC’s National Mountain Bike Calendar for both XC and Gravity and will serve as an automatic world’s team qualifier for both junior and pro gravity contenders. The DH and 4X are both UCI C2 events, plus there’ll be an additional 4X for domestic pros only that’ll serve as 4X National Championships. With 110 points going to both the male and female winners for the national championship event, plus another 60 for the inscripted races, Chile is the place to go to get points for international competition. Chile’s 4X, Super-D and DH are also a part of the 2008 NMBS series. For more info on everything Chile, from XC to DH, head to www.racemsc.com. WEATHER UPDATE, Friday, May 2, 7:47AMHere in Nathrop it's all sunny skies and warming temps. We're looking at about 60 degrees today with steady warming throughout the weekend. If you're stuck in bad weather Chalk Creek might just be the place to be this weekend. REGISTER ONLINE Held under USAC Permit, all USAC rules apply. Shuttles from the front gate will be provided for bags and spectators, in addition all traffic, bicycle or otherwise, will follow the new prescribed route to the race venue. All team trailers must be to the race venue no later than 7 am on Saturday, May 3rd. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! 
Registration:Registration and packet pick up will take place Friday, May 2nd from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on Saturday, May 3rd from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Sunday, May 4th fro 7:30 am to 11:00 am. Online Registration ends April 30 at midnight. Packet pick up will take place at the mountain cross park in front of the Registration trailer. ONSITE REGISTRATION CUTOFF WILL BE ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR EVENT and this includes pre-registered riders. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION Lodging: Mount Princeton Hot Springs (888) 395-7799, 10% off rooms with a NORBA license, includes free use of the hot springs. LODGING IN BOTH BUENA VISTA AND SALIDA IS FILLING UP FAST!  Camping:
Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park in Nathrop has discounted rates in their group tent area: $7.00 per person per night plus tax, with a NORBA license. All of their individual tent, RV and cabin sites will be at the regular price. you can call them at (719) 395-8301 or visit www.chalkcreek-campground.com for more information. Practice Schedule:Friday, May 2nd, all courses open for practice from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. You must be registered and have a number on your bike in order to be on any of the courses - all courses, XC, Dual slalom and both Mountain Cross courses open for practice. Cross Country:The XC will take place Saturday, May 3rd. Beginners start time is 8:00 am, two laps. Sport start time is 10:00 am, three laps. Expert start time is 12:00, four laps. Pro and Semi-pro start time is 2:15, four laps. This seven mile loop is a mix of double track and buttery, smooth single track, be prepared for windy conditions, an occasional cactus and a bovine dropping now and then. Start waves will be: | 7:00AM | | Registration closes for the following categories | | 8:00 | | Junior Sport Men 18 & Under | | 8:02 | | Beginner Men | | 8:04 | | Junior Beginner Men 15-18 | | 8:06 | | Junior Beginner Men 14 & Under | | 8:08 | | Beginner Women | | 8:10 | | Junior Women 18 & Under | | 9:00 AM | | Registration closes for the following categories | | 10:00 | | Start Wave | | 10:02 | | Sport Men 19-29 | | 10:04 | | Sport Men 30-34 | | 10:06 | | Sport Men 34-39 | | 10:08 | | Sport Men 40-49 | | 10:10 | | Sport Men 50+ | | 10:12 | | Clydesdale Men | | 10:14 | | Sport Women 19-29 | | 10:16 | | Sport Women 30-39 | | 10:18 | | Sport Women 40+ | | 11:00PM | | Registration closes for the following categories | | 12:00 | | Junior X Men and Junior X Women (3 laps only) | | 12:02 | | Expert Men 19-29/ Single Speed Men | | 12:04 | | Expert Men 30-34 | | 12:06 | | Expert Men 35-39 | | 12:08 | | Expert Men 40-49 | | 12:10 | | Expert Men 50+ | | 12:12 | | Expert Women 19-29/ Single Speed Women | | 12:14 | | Expert Women 30-39 | | 12:16 | | Expert Women 40+ | | 12:20 | | awards, wave 2 | | 1:15 | | Registration closes for the following categories | | 2:15 | | Pro Men | | 2:17 | | Semi Pro Men | | 2:18 | | Pro Women |
Awards will be conducted after last rider and protest period end Mountain Cross:The 4X will take place on Saturday, May 3rd, with practice beginning at 9:00 am, seeding at 10:30 and racing immediately following. This course is fast and smooth, with great berms and fun obstacles. A friendly course for beginners through pros. | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | | Beginner/Sport practice | | 10:30am | | Beginner/Sport seeding, with racing following as soon as brackets are built. | | 9:00 am | | Pro/Semi-Pro/Expert practice until beginner sport racing concludes approximately 1:15pm | | 1:15 | | Pro/Semi-Pro/Expert seeding with racing following as soon as brackets are built |
Short Track Cross Country: The STXC will take place on Sunday, May 4th. Racing will begin at 8:00 am the short track will be a similar to last year and will incorporate sections of the 4X course. | 8:00am | | Junior Beginner Men 18 & Under | | 8:25am | | Junior Sport Men 18 & Under | | 8:50am | | Sport 19+/Beg 19+/All Junior & Junior Expert Women | | 9:15am | | Beginner Men 19+ | | 9:45am | | Sport Men 19-29 | | 10:10am | | Sport Men 30-39/Clydesdale | | 10:35am | | Sport Men 40+ | | 11:00am | | Junior Expert Men/Single Speed Men | | 11:30am | | Expert Men 19-29 | | 12:00pm | | Expert Men 30- 39 | | 12:30pm | | Expert Men 40+ | | 1:00pm | | Pro/Expert/Single Speed Women | | 1:45pm | | Pro/Semi Pro Men |
Dual Slalom:The DS will take place Sunday, May 4th with practice beginning at 8:00 am, qualifying at 9:30 am and racing immediately following. The track will be the same as 2007. | 8:00 - 9:30 am | Dual Slalom Practice | | 9:35 | Seeding starting with racing to follow as soon as brackets are built. |
* Special note: Slalom takes a lot longer than Mountain cross so please be ready to race when your category is called. Results/Awards:Cross Country awards will take place within in two hours of the last finisher of you respective start wave, at the start/finish area. Mountain Cross and Dual Slalom awards will be at the conclusion of the days racing, at the 4X/DS venue. All riders must be present to receive awards and cash purses for all MSC events. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made so, plan you trip home accordingly. How to Get Here:Nathrop is located in central Colorado, 7 miles south of Buena Vista and 17 miles north of Salida – right in between Salida and Buena Vista. From Denver take 285 south for 1.5 hours to Johnson Village, follow 285 south for approximately 5 miles, look for event signage on the west side of Highway 285 in Nathrop near the General Store/Post Office. For More Information:If you have any further questions call us at (719) 221-1251 or email
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