Many of the top mountain bikers from North America and beyond squared off in Fayetteville, Arkansas again on Friday for the short-track cross country races at U.S. Pro Cup, presented by Walmart.
Durangoan Riley Amos (Trek Factory Racing) finished on top of the podium in the elite men’s race, winning the six-lap sprint by one second in 20 minutes and 52 seconds. With Christopher Blevins not competing, the rest of the podium was comprised of mountain bikers from Canada and Mexico. Carter Woods of Canada (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) finished second and Adia Gutierrez Prieto of Mexico (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) finished third in 20:56.
In the elite women’s short track race, Savilia Blunk (Rockrider Racing Team) finished just behind Kate Courtney (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) for second time in Fayetteville. Courtney finished first after five laps in 20:04, followed by Blunk four seconds later.
With no U23 short-track race, many Durango riders bumped up and raced in the elite divisions and still finished near the top.
Cobe Freeburn (Bear National Team) placed 11th in the elite men’s race in 21:21, followed by Carson Beard (Durango Segment 28) in 13th in 21:25 and Ivan Sippy (Team Segment 28) crossed 21st out of 77 riders in 21:58. Dane Grey (Durango Segment 28) did not finish.
In the elite women’s race, Michaela Thompson (Team Segment 28) finished seventh in 20:38, Ruth Holcomb (Bear National Team) crossed eighth in 20:46, Bailey Cioppa (Bear National Team) placed 12th in 21:13 and Lauren Aggeler (Trinity Racing) finished 15th out of 37 cyclists in 21:29.
