Race Report: CES Round 4 – Mt Shasta Enduro

Mt Shasta Enduro

PRESS RELEASE: California Enduro Series presented by Specialized

Photos by Bixxel • Main Photo Todd Renwick, Mt Shasta Enduro Pro Men Champ

Mt Shasta Enduro: The California Enduro Series headed to the slopes of NorCal’s iconic Mount Shasta for Round 4 of the 2022 season. The sold-out Mt Shasta Enduro, presented by Mt. Shasta Ski Park July 30-31, 2022, offered up a packed weekend of camping, riding and revelry.

Two big days of racing the mountain’s signature pulverized volcanic were on the agenda, with six stages split between Saturday and Sunday. Due to an intense heat wave, all stage transfers were made by chairlift vs the originally planned mix of lift access and pedaling.

Janea Perry, Mt Shasta Enduro Pro Women Champ.

Mt Shasta Enduro Practice Laps

Riders spent the day Friday getting a feel for Shasta’s unique terrain under a blazing hot sun. From carving the drifty brown pow to navigating raw, techy tracks, riders found the secret to staying upright was to keep it loose and go with the flow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Race

Beginner, Sport and Sport eMTB riders raced Saturday’s stages in this order: 3, 4, 1, and 2; while Expert, Pro and Open eMTB raced the stages in order, 1 through 4.

On Sunday Beginner, Sport and Sport eMTB took on Stage 6 then 5, as Expert, Pro and Open eMTB tackled Stage 5 then 6.

Stage 1 showed off Flow Trail’s wooden wallride and swoopy berms. Racers were either surfing uncontrollable powder or deep in a sublimely barreled berm.

Stage 2 ran on West Perimeter Trail, giving riders a taste of what’s just beyond the park boundary. Set mostly in the trees, this stage featured corner after corner of tricky foot-deep ruts and dust, with the occasional prime berm thrown in for ear-to-ear grins.

Stage 3 took place on the “Beginner” trail – a fast, flowy track that invited riders to open up and let loose. Staying on trail, keeping in control, and going FAST were key to doing well on those three stages.

Stage 4 was set on the park’s Downhill Trail. This stage was designated as the FOX Queen Stage, in which the racer from each category with the fastest time gets bonus points toward overall ranking. Racers battled rock gardens, ladders, and steep drops, as well as jumps including the trail’s renowned road gap.

Stage 5 ran on the primitive Backside Trail and served up an abundance of exposed roots and rocks to keep racers on their game.

Stage 6 took racers on Bridge Trail which featured – no surprise! – several bridges as well as chunky rock gardens and loose, rooted corners. The track finishes with a small drop exiting a well known V-shaped tree.

Duncan Nason, Pro Men 2nd place

Conner Wygaerts, Pro Men 3rd place

Evan Geankoplis, Pro Men 4th place

Tyler Maples, Pro Men 5th place

Carina Claassen, Pro Women 2nd place

Heidi Kanayan, Pro Women 3rd place

Ashley Kennedy, Pro Women 4th place

Elijah Krause, Junior Pro Men U21 Champ

Jacob Dore, Master Pro Men 40+ Champ

Dustin Waraner, Open eMTB Men Champ

Mt Shasta Enduro Venue Vibes

Mt Shasta Ski Park is an especially fun and scenic venue. Camping, live music, dinner, libations, and an awards ceremony were included in the race package, and the park’s location is near the McCloud river and other swim spots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Men Podium

Pro Women Podium

CES co-founder and director Steve Gemelos with the day’s FOX fork winner (and the day’s eMTB champ) Jacob Dore. A FOX 36/38 fork are raffled off at each CES race, thanks to FOX’s generous support of the series. Cameron Bryce won this event’s Transfer seat post.

View results for all categories here. Get current individual standings here, team standings here, and FOX stage wins here.

Up next: Round 5 – Northstar Enduro with two days of racing Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28 at Northstar California Resort in Truckee. Please note the Northstar Enduro is sold out — check our social networks if you’re looking for an entry or selling one. Transfers must be completed by August 21, 2022 at midnight.

Huge thanks to CES title sponsor Specialized for again donating a brand new mountain bike to be raffled off this season in support of the series. ENTER for the chance to win either the Specialized Stumpjumper Expert or Stumpjumper EVO Expert – winner’s choice. The winning tickets will be pulled at the end of the CES 2022 season on October 31, 2022. Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20 and twelve for $40. You need not be present to win, and the bike can be shipped anywhere. Get tickets here.

And while you’re in the CES on-line store, pick up some tickets to win a FOX 36/38 fork, FOX Transfer seatpost, and/or a 1UP USA Recon 5 bike rack (or any other 1UP USA bike rack of equal value). $5 each, 5 for $20, twelve for $40.

CES is a for riders, by riders non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting world-class enduro events that everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy, at a geographically diverse range of venues. Full CES schedule at californiaenduroseries.com.

CES is made possible by the generous sponsorship of industry and community businesses. The series is grateful for the continued support of title sponsor Specialized, official suspension sponsor FOX, Race Face, WTB, Voler, Cranked Naturals, Michael David Winery, and Adventure Sports Journal. Plus a big welcome to new sponsors Remedy Supply Co, 1UP USA and Kuat Racks!

If you’d like to get involved and be part of CES’ exciting 2022 season, send an email to sponsorship@californiaenduro.com.

Learn more at californiaenduroseries.com.

Read more about California Enduro Series here.