US Cycling MTB National Championships

I was able to get a flight out to Sonoma, CA to meet up with Tyler, the Edwards and the Throops for the USA Cycling National MTB Championships. I am so glad that I was able to be there for this one! I could write a whole book on the weekend but at the rate that I type, that would take me a few days. So here is the short but sweet version... (More pictures can be found HERE)



Ty lined up for the start of the 11-12 Boys race along with 9 other racers. The course was a very hilly 7.7 mile course and they went out at full speed from the start of the event. The course had a 1 1/2 mile climb shortly after the start line and Ty and 4 other boys crested the climb toghether. The rest of the group was spread out over the climb trying to catch the leaders. The 5 of them stayed together for a bit until the next long climb. By the top of the 2nd climb, the group was down to just 2 riders, Tyler & racer from Texas. The 2 stayed together for a bit until Ty dropped his chain going into a short-steep climb and he lost about 20 seconds to the kid from Texas. Ty chased hard all the way down the hill to the finish, but he could not make up the lost time and took 2nd place, (12 secs behind the winner). An awesome ride by Tyler and an awesome result. He definately did not leave anything in the tank when he crossed the finish line. I could not be more proud of him!




Tyler's buddy and teammate, Zach Edwards, also had a great race in the 10 and under category and finished 2nd on the day too. Congrats Zach! Thanks again to Zach and his father, Scott, for looking after Ty on the trip. Thanks also to the Throop's for letting us use their trailer area at the venue. Tyler's other buddy, Rachel Throop, won the Woman's Junior Expert National Championship. This has been a long time goal of Rachel's and she also has made the US National MTB team. She will represent the USA in the World MTB Championships on Aug. 24, 2006 in Rotorua, New Zealand. We are starting a "Rachel Travel Fund" to help her get her to the event. If you are interested is contributing ANY amount, please contact me at mcoplea@cox.net and I can provide you the details.

Arizona's own pro mountain bikers had a great weeked, too! Dara Marks-Marino had a great race and finished 4th in the Pro Women's XC and 2nd in the Short Track event. Mellisa Buhl took 2nd in the Women's Pro DH and 4th in the Mountain Cross event.


Jason, Ty, Gary Fisher & Zach