The mountain bike racers returned to Purgatory in force last weekend.
The brand new Durango Coca-Cola Triple Crown race series, staged by Durango DEVO, was launched with the NedFurtado
Circuit Race at the base of DMR.
"In case you are wondering, the title NedFurtado is an attempt to honor the names of two great Durango (biking)
champions, 1990 Mountain Bike World Champions Ned Overend and Juli Furtado," said Chad Cheeney of Durango DEVO, the
local youth cycling organization.
The first race in the series attracted a first-rate field, including Durango's three-time Olympic mountain biker Todd
Wells.
Wells pedaled away during the second half of the pro/expert men's race, holding off a late charge from Durango's
Howard Grotts, 17.
Grotts was second. Nick Gold was third.
Trevor Downing was fourth, and Troy Wells finished fifth last weekend.
Joey Thompson flatted on the first lap of the 1.1-mile course.
But Thompson pedaled back and managed to take 11th.
In the pro/expert women's race, DEVO director Sarah Tescher won with a midrace attack against junior AliciaRose
Pastore, who just returned from racing in Europe with the U.S. Junior Team.
Jessica Reed was third among the pro/expert women with Robin Fitzpatrick fourth.
Annie Cheeney won the sport women's division.
Levi Kurland, also of Durango, won the sport men's race. Walker Lowe was second with Fabio wen third. Jeff Seivert
finished fourth.
River Weiss, 12, won the beginner men's race. Henry Larson was second with Devin Feilen third.
Julie Fielen won the beginner women's division.
Among the youngsters, 11-year-old Kieran Eagan of Durango finished first.
Dylan Williamson was second. Carter McQuinn finished third.
"A big thanks to all of the cycling fans and companies we have," Cheeney said.
He also thanked the crews that build the circuit course at Durango Mountain Resort.
The course featured several berms, mellow climbs, a wall section, two bridge crossings and jumps.
The track was designed by Durango mountain bike racer Travis Brown and Daryl Crites and built by the Trails 2000 crew
with the help of DMR and Logan James of TJ Excavation.
In addition to last weekend's circuit race, the series will include the Lift 8 Hill Climb and HB Super D on July 24
and the 1990 Worlds Cross Country 20-year Anniversary Race on Aug. 14.
Points will be kept for all three races to determine Durango Mountain Resort's king and queen of the mountain.
Overall male and female series winners will receive season passes to Durango Mountain Resort.
Proceeds from the summer series will benefit area cycling nonprofits: Durango DEVO, Trails 2000, Durango Wheel Club, Fort Lewis College Cycling and Bicycle Lemonade.
The local company, 4 Corners Timing, will provide race timing for all three events.
For more information, visit www.durangodevo.com.
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