The inaugural race of the 2010 Sid’s Bikes Summer Sprints race series at Highbridge saw some solid racing action with a new time-trial format and some familiar faces plus new friends. The rain held off and the trails were in fine condition (better for the moisture, actually, as the trails had been bone-dry and even a bit sandy in places due to the oppressive heat of late. We kicked off this season with a classic Summer Sprints course- up the paved path, down then up Rough Rider, loop around Speedway (past the corn and bean fields!?!), down and around Engine Block, descent down Hessian Hill, quick leg on the skills loop then sidewalk back to the finish (and do it again!).

In marking the course, Jamie unwittingly stirred up a next of bees, who decided to express their displeasure at him in the only way they know how. Bees 7, Jamie 0. If you’re riding Rough Rider, move quickly at the intersection between lower and upper.

At the starting line, we saw the return of series regulars the Germosen brothers. Although Leandro is not defending his title this year due to a broken arm, he was there motivating brother Ivan, who had a tough race with a chain suck incident that put him back a few minutes. In the 2-lap race, first out of the gate and first at the finish was series newcomer Chris Ellis-Ferrara, who threw down a very quick 30:42 for the two laps. Behind him was Matt Howard, making his return to the Summer Sprint series after a year absence. Ivan placed third after getting passed by then re-passing fourth place finisher Jonathan Chapman. Kudos to Chapman who thought he might only be up for one lap, but felt good and kept pushing for the second lap.

In the one-lap (beginner) race, another Summer Sprints vet from 2008 made a returned to take the win- Cliff Frasier turned in a 19:56, and with that time may be promoted to the 2-lap race next time around! Eduardo Perez took second, and junior Luis Rodriguez took the win in the junior class with a time that beat at least one adult!

On the Mini-DH side, one competitor braved the Hellfighter trail with the Freelap timers and got three runs in as he learned the lines on his hardtail with 6″ fork! Christian Parrington turned in a fastest lap time of 1:24, setting the bar so far for the season. Can you beat his time next week? The Freelap system worked flawlessly providing race-at-your-own-pace timing perfectly suited for the mini-DH race.

The Sid’s Bikes Summer Sprints series returns next Friday for round 2- see you there!

Results:

Pro/1/2 Men
1. Chris Ellis-Ferrara  30:42
2. Matt Howard  34:42
3. Ivan Germosen  40:24
4. Jonathan Chapman  45:37

Cat 3 Men
1. Cliff Frasier  19:56
2. Eduardo Perez  29:53

Cat 3 Juniors
1. Luis Rodriguez  25:36

DH
1. Christian Parrington  Run 1- 2:15  Run 2- 1:24 Run 3- 1:57

Pictures: