POC Eastern States Cup Announced

Eastern States Cup and POC Sports are proud to announce the 2012 POC Eastern States Cup Downhill Mountain Bike Race Series. The series is the USA Cycling Eastern Regional Championship and five USA Cycling State Championships are being contested within the series. The POC ESC has over $35,000 available in cash prizes to amateurs and pros in 2012.

Reaching new heights during its third season, the POC ESC has grown to 14 races and welcomes three new venues. Returning is the $1000 POC Team Challenge and new this year is the $1000 Loeka Women’s Challenge. The POC ESC’s championship payouts for Cat1 Juniors, Men’s Pro and Women’s Pro Classes have been increased and a finals cash purse for the top three men in Cat1 19-29 has been added. The pro payouts at each race have increased up to $1600 with up to $500 going to the pro winners.

“We are very excited about our partnership with The Eastern States Cup” Said Willie Ford, Director of Marketing, POC USA. “We are honored to be part of such a great series and we’re all looking forward to a great season of racing. It’s going to be fun.”

2012 POC EASTERN STATES CUP

2012 UCI WC 1 Monster Energy Specialized Recap

The Monster Energy Specialized, Australian dynamic duo of Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan returned to World Cup racing this week after domination the Australian national series over the winter. Brosnan finished in 8th place on a track that catered to his pedalling strength, just over 5 seconds back. Hill crossed the line in 11th place, .8 seconds behind his teammate.

Cloudy skies met racers on race day here in Pietermariztburg, South Africa for the first round of the 2012 UCI MTB World Cup. The track dried up from the previous night's deluge and was rock hard and as fast as it had been all week by the time the top 30 men dropped in. Both Monster Energy Specialized riders rode their Specialized Demos with dropper posts to allow for brief relief during the infamous 40 second pedal here in SA.

2012 UCI WC 1 Monster Energy Specialized Recap

Steve Smith Places 5th At Round 1 Of The 2012 UCI WC

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa—Devinci Global Racing’s Steve Smith rocketed to 5th place in the UCI World Cup opener, returning to the podium after clinching a string of hot results last season. Teammate Nick Beer finished 12th in his first ride under the DGR banner. 

“This is solid start to the year," said DGR Team Manager, Gabe Fox. "The team dynamic is proving tight, and I expect the momentum to build as the season progresses." 

The Pietermaritzburg course is known for grueling pedaling sections and this proved to be a challenge across the field. After Saturday qualifying, Smith sat in 3rd place—0.87 seconds behind eventual race winner and hometown hero, Greg Minnaar. Beer qualified 13th and George Brannigan in 32nd. 

Steve Smith Gets 5th At 2012 PMB World Cup

Aaron Gwin Takes 2nd At Pietermaritzburg World Cup

In a thrilling finish that had the thousands of fans here in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on the edge of their seats until the very last second, Aaron Gwin was narrowly defeated by local hero Greg Minnaar after setting a blistering time. Trek World Racing's youngest downhill rider Neko Mulally scored a career best 14th, while Justin Leov finished a solid 17th. All 3 riders are now top 20 'protected' heading into Round 2.
Aaron Gwin Takes 2nd At Pietermaritzburg World Cup

Tracey Hannah WIns WC 1 At Pietermaritzburg

"After qualifying the fastest, Tracey Hannah (Hutchinson United Ride) won the Downhill World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on March 18, 2012 just ahead of Junior World champion Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen) and 2.81 seconds ahead of World champion Emmeline Ragot (MS Mondraker). Former 4X World champion Jill Kintner (Norco Inernational) was fourth, while Swiss Miriam Ruchti (SC Intense) rounded out the top five.

After a long hiatus from downhill racing, Tracey Hannah opened her season with a win in Pietermaritzburg. “Motivation and determination is what kept pushing me forward. On a track like this you can train as much as you want, but in order to win you have to figure out how you will come down and what lines you will take. Compared to the tracks in Australia, this here is very fast, in Australia you have to pedal a lot.”

Tracey Hannah WIns WC 1 At Pietermaritzburg