#uscup

[thebikecomesfirst]

Great race this Saturday at US Cup #2 in Bonelli Park. 

I'm starting to get the hang of this UCI Elite racing thing after re-watching last weekend's start 100 times. This week I was way more aggressive and got a better position before the single tracks. 

Unfortunately I got a goat head puncture at the end of lap 1 -- lost maybe 10 PSI -- but could at least nurture it back to the tech zone. @BackboneFuzz saved my race with a quick improvised repair; he's today's MVP!! 

Then back on course I had a few more great fights while moving back up the field a little bit. I finished 75th / 88.

I'm so stoked with all this!! It’s so different, so intense and I’m making big progress. It’s already affecting my approach on a regular Kenda Cup race. I’m glad I jumped into the lion’s den. I picked up a few tricks.

Location: Bonelli Park, San Dimas, CA, USA

Course Map HERE

Photos by Keyang Pang

[thebikecomesfirst]

This Thursday we'll watch the full Kenda Cup Pro XC race. This race was recorded Sunday April 9 and I just finished the edit. It's a 1 hour and 30 minutes duel for the win between Sam Brehm and me. Come watch this epic battle! With live commentary & live chat.

Stream address: http://youtube.com/bengoyette/live

Going live Thursday 4/20 8PM PDT.

[thebikecomesfirst]

Fontana was fun; Learned a lot! Now it’s time to jump into another race weekend at Bonelli.

I’m going to race the UCI Elite XCO on Saturday at 2:00pm. But I’m not going to race Short Track on Sunday. The race format just doesn’t make much sense for me since I’m not fighting for points (at all) in the series. I’m glad I experienced what this format was about though!

Sunday I’ll race the Kenda Cup Pro XC in the morning instead; See you there!

Photos: PB Creative

[thebikecomesfirst]

First race of the US Cup Pro Series and the USA Cycling Pro XCT. This was a UCI class C3 event.

I streamed this video and did a live chat Q&A. You can watch the replay of the stream HERE.

Join us next time! Subscribe and turn on notifications to know when the next stream is (probably Thursday 9:00PM PDT again).

Race results HERE.

I finished 46th / 56. It was my first UCI Elite race and I learned a lot racing with those guys. Can't wait for more!

Location: Southridge Park, Fontana, CA, USA Strava Map HERE.

[thebikecomesfirst]

Sunday's STXC race was pinned!

Podium: 1st - CHRISTOPHER BLEVINS 2nd - JERRY DUFOUR 3rd - TODD WELLS

I was dead last in 32nd :D

Plenty of mistakesI learned from. Not being aggressive enough on lap 1, sitting on Derek's wheel to catch a breath, thinking about the pace I'd have left for the +3 laps, stopping for a noise on my bike. All that is totally useless when you're already down by 1 min on lap 1 on a sub 2 min lap and the 80% rule is in effect. You just have to keep it pinned no matter what, as if the next corner is always the last.

But ultimately that race format is not worth it for slower guys like me. We get pulled from the race too soon on such a short course. I should have done the Kenda Cup Pro XC that Sunday and collected good points instead. But I'm glad I've seen what this was about.

Location: Southridge Park, Fontana, CA, USA

Strava Flyby HERE

[thebikecomesfirst]

Short Track lap 1 madness at today's US Cup in Fontana.

I had a decent start from last row, then we were fighting for not-last and, on lap 4, I had to stop quick to pull out a branch from my derailleur. But that was it! Only 4 laps for us. The leaders' pace was insane; gg

Location: Southridge Park, Fontana, CA, USA

[thebikecomesfirst]

That moment when you realize what your absolute 100% effort is worth in a field of Pro UCI riders. Very humbling.

And very motivating

Some people linger where they feel comfortable, where they’re not judged too harshly or can’t fail.

I’d rather push into the unfamiliar and keep learning. Flaws are a TO-DO list. And failure is good feedback in the process.

In Fontana I dived into the UCI Elite class and discovered a level of intensity I never thought I could deliver. 

I might not spend the summer on podiums collecting Cat-1 trophies again, but I’m going to progress a heck of a lot more on so many fronts.

That’s what I like.

Photos by Scott McClain. Read the race weekend recap on Pinkbike HERE.

[thebikecomesfirst]

The replay of last night's stream is up on YouTube. We watched the POV of last weekend's XC race in Fontana. 

The normal full resolution video (without commentary) is published HERE.

Join us on the next stream! Subscribe on YouTube to be notified.