Race Report: Massanutten Hoo-Ha! US Cup Triple Crown Finals

Even the rider's kits were tired after the weekend, and spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun.

Wowsers!  What a crazy weekend for the team!  Some of the best racing on the east coast happened this past weekend down in Virginia at the Massanutten Hoo-Ha Triple Crown Finals.  In attendance for Giant Mid-Atlantic were Matt and Jordan.  Also in attendance were some super fast racers from around the country as well as high heat and humidity.  Swell!

Giant Mid-Atlantic rider Jordan Kahlenberg, front and center for the Pro Men's Short Track.

Saturday brought the short and sweet events, with Super-D as the first course, and Short-Track following.  The Super-D course was awesome, starting with a crazy technical ridge trail section and dumping onto a fast, bermed, flowing descent to the finish.  Both Matt and Jordan rode well, finishing 9th and 10th respectively in the Pro Triple Crown standings.  The short track was one of the best courses around, with some sweeping climbs, fast & twisty doubletrack, and big berms split by a short road section through the start/finish.  Matt got caught in the craziness and had an unfortunate DNF, and Jordan started strong and held it to the end, finishing 9th.  Once that race was done, it was off to the showers for cool-down and recovery.  There was still an XC to race the next day!!

Matt Miller ripping up the short track course, making it look easy.

Sunday served up the 12-mile XC course, on which the Pros did 2 laps.  The start was wide open and allowed for plenty of positioning.  Matt and Jordan sat in and saved energy until the double-track climbs, where both were able to move up cleanly.  Unfortunately, Matt suffered mechanicals during the race and was forced to chase from far back much of the race through the all-classes mass-start field.  Jordan rode clear with the leaders at the onset, then settled into his rhythm, finishing 10th.

Jordan zipping by during the Super-D.

Once the results were tallied up, Jordan landed himself 7th overall for the weekend Triple Crown, and Matt was 17th.  Some great results against a tough Pro field!

It is highly suggested that all try this race next year.  With a great course and great promoters, it's a great time for all.

Next up for the team is another split weekend, with Matt attending the Wisconsin stop of the Pro XC Tour, and Jordan hitting the Lewis Morris Challenge, the next stop in the regional H2H/Campmor series.

See you on the trails!