Mitch Ropelato To Fill In For The Injured Troy Brosnan

With Monster Energy-Specialized racing’s Troy Brosnan at home recovering from a training injury sustained in Austria, Mitch Ropelato is ready to step up to the opportunity to fill-in for Brosnan. Ropelato has been racing in the U.S. for Specialized Racing-USA gravity onboard his Demo and will now debut for the Monster Energy-Specialized Team at both the Mont Saint Anne, Canada and Windham, New York World Cup rounds.

“Mitch was our first choice when we thought about a possible fill-in rider and we look forward to having him onboard. He’s a talented rider and I think he’ll have a good time on the program.” Said Team Manager Sean Heimdal. “It’s a shame to have Troy sidelined and we hope his recovery goes as planned!”

''Im happy to see Mitch filling in for myself and glad that he will be getting a factory ride at the next world cup rounds to show what talent on a bike he really has!'' says Troy Brosnan.

Mitch Ropelato says: “I'm super excited that I get the opportunity to ride with Sam Hill, work with Jacy and Sean under the Monster/Specialized tent. It’s really just a dream to be able to work with one of the top MTB teams in the world and really thankful that Specialized has lent me this opportunity to work with Monster Team. So, these next two weeks I’m just sitting on Cloud 9 without a worry in the world and just go out and have some fun riding my bike.”

Specialized Bicycles says: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Mitch while Troy recovers. He is a very talented rider and we couldn’t be more excited about the move. At Specialized we strive to develop riders and help them achieve their goals. To have Mitch come from one of our domestic teams and go to our global team is great for the program! We hope this move will be inspirational to other riders out there who have dreams of making it to a professional world cup team.”

2012 POC Eastern States Cup Update

Warm sunny skies, steep loose shale, and the best racing of the season is in The POC Eastern States Cup. The POC ESC came home to Plattekill for Series Race #2 and USA Cycling’s National Pro Tour, The Pro GRT #3. Trek World Racing’s Aaron Gwin and DRD’s Lauren Daney repeated their Mountain Creek wins on Plattekill’s super steep terrain.

Resurrecting one of the all time favorite race trails, The Steve Porraro Memorial Track ran steep and fast in the loose shale. The course was a perfect mix of steep technical terrain, high-speed traverse, and big jumps. There was plenty to keep riders on their toes with this track. The POC speed trap recorded the fastest pro, Adam Morse at 37 MPH . The weekend weather was warm with sunny race day skies in the Catskills. A perfect weekend of Racing unfolded.

Trek World Racing, One Ghost Industries, KHS, Voncooper, Oliver Racing and other top teams were in attendance.  World Cup Series Champion Aaron Gwin took 1st place at 2:11.00, TWR  team mate Justin Leov was hot on his wheel with a 2:11.68. Yeti Voncooper’s Phil Kmetz is on a tear with another series third place finish at 2:16.65. In the Junior Expert class Luca Shaw took top honors with a 2:21.34, and all the way from Newfoundland Jordan Hodder took Second with a 2:26.50. Walker Shaw was third at 2:29.51. Women Pro was won by Lauren Daney, 2:49.53, followed by Joanna Petterson at 2:51.53 and Rae Gandolf at 3:17.96.

It’s been an amazing start to the season for the POC Eastern States Cup! Thanks to POC, Loeka and all who have come out to support us. Lets keep the momentum going, we have a great season ahead of us. Hope to see everyone next weekend at POC ESC Race #3 at Attitash Resort, New Hampshire!

The ESC has some of the fastest racers in the world.  POC ESC Men’s Pro Points Leaders are Aaron  Gwin, Justin Leov, Phil Kmetz and Gavin Vaugn.  At Attitash this weekend the Pro Women’s ProGRT leader Lauren Daney and Men’s ProGRT #3 and #4 Voncooper’s  Phil Kmetz and Gavin Vaugn will be in attendance. Australia World Cup Racers: Matthew Dodd and Jesse Bare are racing Attitash and Pat’s Peak POC ESC #4 the following weekend

For a second year, Attitash Mountain Resort will serve as a host venue for the POC Eastern States Cup downhill mountain biking series. The POC Eastern States Cup is the USA Cycling Eastern Regional Championship Series with events being held in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. This year, Attitash Mountain Resort will host two events, a regular series points event on the weekend of June 2 & 3 and the New Hampshire State Championship Finals occurring September 15 & 16.

“We are pleased to again host the Eastern States Cup events and to showcase the downhill terrain at Attitash to a visiting field of New England riders,” said Attitash Mountain Bike Programs Coordinator Nate Waterhouse. “The two weekend events, featuring the points event in June and the state championship finals event in September, should be an exciting race and fun weekend for the riders.” Attitash has been offering lift-serviced, mountain biking since the late 90’s.

The POC Eastern States Cup event will feature riders competing in a single run format taking the best times in age and rider level categories. The course will be a mix of descending open trails and single-track sections through the woods on Attitash Mountain. These are part of a greater network of 27 designated mountain biking trails that Attitash has continued to develop and maintain for summer & fall use. Attitash has over 20 miles of mountain bike trails including the more difficult and technically challenging downhill trails and eight cross country trails more suited to all abilities and those just beginning to discover mountain biking as a recreational activity. The mountain bike season at Attitash Mountain Resort will open, weekends only, beginning Saturday, May 26 and will then be open daily for the summer beginning Saturday, June 16. Mountain bike season passes are available for only $99. The Dirt Trax Bike Shop, located on the main floor of the Attitash Base Lodge in the South Wing, stocks a full line of mountain bike clothing and accessories, as well as a fleet of rental bikes and protective gear. For more information on the POC Eastern States Cup events and mountain biking at Attitash, visit attitash.com and easternstatescup.com.

Attitash Mountain Resort is the original summer fun ski area in the Mount Washington Valley offering the original Alpine Slide, year-round Nor’Easter mountain coaster, waterslides, lift-service downhill and cross-country mountain biking, scenic summit chair ride, and more. Attitash Mountain Resort is also home to the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Conference Center providing the areas only full-service, slopeside accommodations. For further information, please visit attitash.com or call 1-800-223 SNOW.

Attitash POC ESC Race Dates:

• June 2-3, 2012 POC ESC # 3
• September 15-16, 2012 POC ESC #12

Address: 775 Route 302 Bartlett, NH 03812

Camping Allowed: Yes

Lodging Deals: Mention the race and get 20% off lodging at Attitash Mountain Village Resort when you are up here....great rates for condos across the street from the race course! Standard studios with kitchens from $71/night until June 14th! Call ‎1-800-862-1600

DRD Intense's Lauren Daney Takes 1st At Mountain Creek Pro GRT

Vernon, New Jersey (May 21, 2012) – DRD Intense’s Lauren Daney captured her professional win of the season this past weekend at the Eastern States Cup ‘Spring Classic’ at Mountain Creek Bike Park in Vernon, New Jersey.   The newly designed racecourse provided racers with long, fast & challenging terrain to test any competitor.  Lauren’s victory would be hard earned, as she took things to the limit, and just a bit beyond!

“It was a rough, but great weekend for me,” said a battered, but ecstatic Lauren Daney.  “I was still getting accustomed to my bike, and getting it set up for my riding style, then I took a big spill in practice.  I was a pretty sore, so I wanted to save myself for race day.”

A beaten Lauren Daney managed to start her seeding run in order to make finals on Sunday.

“All I wanted to do was make it down the hill,” said Lauren.  “I kept things smooth, but fast & didn’t take too many risks.  This seemed to be the winning ticket to take today’s win!  I’m pumped!”

With her victory, Lauren takes over the 2012 Pro GRT series points lead.  Lauren now heads to Plattekill Bike Park in Plattekill, NY for the 2^nd round of the Eastern States Cup on May 27.

Follow Lauren & the rest of the ‘DRD Intense’ professional mountain bike team at http://www.facebook.com/DRDIntense

Lauren Daney & DRD Intense is proudly supported by the following sponsors…

• Dean Racing Development
• Intense Cycles
• ARMA Energy
• ONE Industries
• Shimano
• ODI Grips
• Sun-Ringle
• Marzocchi Suspension
• MRP
• SDG Components
• Maxmia Racing Oils
• SOL REPUBLIC
• GEAX Tires
• Bike Vault Bike Shop

Trek World Racing Make It a 1-2 At The 2012 Mountain Creek Pro GRT

Last weekend and this coming weekend sees back to back rounds of the Pro GRT on the East Coast of the USA, which all three DH riders from Trek World Racing are supporting. Yesterday saw the riders at Mountain Creek, at Vernon, New Jersey, home of the former US Open, and now the new Mountain Creek Bike Park which Aaron Gwin had the honor of officially opening on Saturday.

The event still carries a great prize purse and the fans are always vocal and big in number. Aaron qualified fastest on Saturday with a 2m 13secs, but Neko Mulally was a non-starter after injuring his ankle in a training incident. Perhaps best characterized as a serious sprain, the injury means that Neko was best to opt out of racing until he can put his weight back on the foot, most likely next week. Here's what he said:

"I stuffed my foot into the ground and twisted my ankle pretty bad. My foot slipped off the front of my pedal and planted onto the ground and then my pedal hit the back of my calf and caused my ankle to hyper-extend. I plan to keep the weight off it and the doctor says it should feel better in a few days. The goal is to be 100% ready for Val di Sole (Italy, World Cup #2), and I'm going to be as smart as I can to make sure that happens. It sucks, I didn't even crash, I just slipped a pedal following Justin. I didn't even lose speed but I just couldn't put weight on it when I got it back on the pedal."

The remaining two riders took to the final and in the super-hot conditions, staying well hydrated was key to getting a great run in. Aaron bettered his qualifier by 3 seconds to tak e the win in 2m 10secs, and now leads the series. Justin Leov took second with a 2m 14secs, making it a great 1-2 for the team.

Aaron said: "It was a fun weekend here in Vernon. I rode well today and I felt good. It's all building towards Italy and each time I race I feel better and better."

Justin said: "My run was good, after having a 'near season ender' in seeding yesterday, today was all about just having a solid top to bottom run and I achieved that. I will continue to build next week and should be on key for Italy."

The downhillers go to Plattekill, New York for the next round this weekend. Neko will decide on Friday whether or not he needs to race on the weekend.

More info on the Pro GRT series available here:

http://www.usacycling.org/progrt

$10,000 Up For Grabs AT The 2012 POC Eastern States Cup Pro GRT's

The POC Eastern States Cup is kicking off the DH MTB Race Season with two USA Cycling Pro GRT Series races. The Mountain Creek Spring Classic, May 17-20 and the Plattekill FOX RACING SHOX Gravity Open, May 24-27. The two bike parks have doubled the Pro GRT Pro Purse to $5000 at each race. The Pro GRT is the only national series recognized by USA Cycling. The races are USAC World Team Qualifiers for Pros and Juniors, the competition among the fastest DH racers in the USA will be fierce.

Amateurs will get a chance to race on the same course as many national and international world cup regulars including the 2012 World Cup Champion, American Aaron Gwin. Gwin will be the Master of Ceremonies at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Saturday at 9AM at the new Mountain Creek Bike Park. Mountain Creek is celebrating with a Saturday pre race rock concert featuring the “Misfits” and two other nation bands.

The POC Eastern States Cup is proudly offering 5 USAC State Championships and the USAC Eastern Regional Championship. The Series is offering over $35,000 in Cash and another $35,000 in prizes to Amateurs.

“I am excited that the POC Eastern States Cup is able to bring the USA Cycling Pro GRT Downhill Series to two of the premier bike parks in the United States. The POC ESC is committed to bringing the best mountain bike racers and racing to the East Coast. We are working on adding XC and Enduro Series races in 2013. With those additions the future of the POC Eastern States Cup is really exciting. “, says George Ulmer from the POC ESC.

The POC Eastern States Cup will offer double series points at both Pro GRT events, to start off the season with a bang. The series just announced a third Challenge to the racers. The POC ESC Speed Zone Challenge. This new challenge will reward the fastest MPH Amateur with great POC Gear at every race this season. The fastest speed of the season will earn a complete POC kit. Other Challenges are the $1000 POC Team Challenge and the $1000 Loeka Women’s Challenge. The series will produce a Voncooper video for every race, while Oliver Racing will take care of the fourth place prizing.

Both mountain trail crews have been working on their racetracks for weeks. Plattekill renewed one of their classic courses on the steep north face side of the bike park. The Plattekill course has new berms, chutes and the steep loose shale Plattekill is famous for. Mountain Creek is combining the new and the old for a real exciting track. The Mountain Creek course offers a few newly cut woods sections, and a steep wide-open ski trail section with large areas of granite slab rock. It will be one of the longest and fastest courses at Mountain Creek ever. Expect two of the best courses the east has to offer.

Schedules, Pre-Registration and all information can be found on the POC Eastern States Cup website: easternstatescup.com