And just like that, the road trip is on! The legendary NW Cup summer swing through Tamarack, ID and Whitefish, MT has officially kicked off — and what a way to start at Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho!
Tamarack always delivers with jaw-dropping views of Lake Cascade and a trail network that keeps racers on their toes — high speed, off-camber turns, chunky rock gardens, and a whole lot of fun. This stop is usually hot, dusty, and rowdy, but this year, Mother Nature had a different plan. Cool temps, midweek rain, and even a dusting of snow up high turned the mountain into a dirt lover’s dream by the time Sunday rolled around.
Race day saw some wild weather shifts — midday wind and rain made certain sections slick and others grippy, turning the track into a game of precision and guts. But when the dust (or rather, mud) settled, it was Tegan Cruz and Julia Lofqvist Traum who rose above the rest, taking the Pro Men’s and Women’s wins with confident, commanding rides.
The vibes were high, the dirt was prime, and the NW Cup family is just getting started. Next stop: Whitefish, Montana!
Bodie Mason knows how to scrub the ski jump into the grass turns.Friday had just a little dust to it...Kai Sorenson had no issues with the jank in ESR. 6th in Pro Men.
Julia Lofqvist Traum was confident in the off camber grass taking home the Pro Women win.Kaleb Wells sending the start rocks for Cat 2.Oscar Hove had no issues with the line choices in the final rock garden. 6th in Cat 2 13-14.Sage Northrup fast and confident taking the the Cat 3 8-10 win.Ava Rees was loving the jumps. 6th in Cat 3 11-14 Women.Hunter Miller just railing the berms.Sometimes the hand of god reaches out perfectly to stop your bike from adding insult to (non)-injury.Blake Howard eyes well down the track for 10th in Cat 2 19-29.Owen Gregory railing through the dust.Tegan Cruz...cruising to the Pro Men win. (sorry I had to).Jagger Bucy living up to that number plate. 2nd in Pro Men.Allie Ward P1 in seeding for Cat 1 18U but after a HARD slam in her sight lap she took an easy run down for 5th overall.The outside line in the upper rock garden wasn't the most popoular after the changes....but it was damn fast if you did it right!Little debris left over from someone taking a tumble.Kade Klinginsmith one of the few to go for the gap... and it paid off. 2nd in Cat 1 16U.Truman Atkins absolutely pinned into the rock slab post rain. 7th cat 1 17-18.Sophie Gregory having no issues in finals. Taking the win in Cat 1 18U.Leah Macartney full speed in to the ski jump. And gets her to 4th in Cat 1 18u.Johnson Phillips with ALL the body english.Bodie Mason absolute foot out flat out in seeding runs.Quincy Robbins wiht the biggest smile showing how much fun the NW Cup is. 4th in Cat 3 11-14.James Hammer taking the creative line down the slab in Rockstar.Beck Potter working his way through the rocks.Kiger Holmer drifting the grass. 4th Cat 1 16U.Sawyer Goulet ready for the compression.Kennedy Galinski full send...to 3rd in Cat 3 10U Women.Owen Gregory through one of the small bits of sunshine in the rocks.Adrian Nache pulling up on the roots. 5th in Cat 3 8-10.Zach Echols blowing up the dust bowls.
Thanks to the sponsors for the raffle!
Stoked raffle winners!
Raffle prizes and ugly helmet contest.
As always thanks to TLD for the ugly helmet contest. This race going to someone who broke their helmet this weekend, well deserved!
Derik Hitesman taking his Dak-Stak to the top step in Cat 1 30-39.Sawyer goulet sending the rocks.Kahlil Kem taking the outside grass line to 10th in Pro Men.Chandler Facer loving the wall ride!Keith Northrup taking 4th in Cat 1 40-49.
