Race Report, Bell Enduro Cup at Canyons Resort 7

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Part of the North American Enduro Tour, the Bell Enduro Cup at Canyons Resort was a single-day event with three timed stages in the mountains outside of Park City, Utah. Pro racer, Casey Coffman reports with his experience below, while photographers Devon Balet and Justin Olsen share some killer pics from the event.

Casey Coffman's Race Report from the Bell Enduro Cup at Canyons Resort
The third round of the NAET kicked off in Park City, Utah, bringing the van-living Enduro community to the home of fancy cars, golf shirts, and expensive…everything. The Canyons resort is a super nice place, and we’re lucky enough that they’ve invested over the last few years in a pretty sweet trail network.

All the usual suspects were in attendance, including Keene, Bradford, The Nomads, Bond, Lopes, Craig, and Hills. Enduro fields are getting more competitive all the time, with a bunch of guys that could take the win at any race. The courses had a lot of fun gravity sections, but there was definitely no shortage of pedaling, which would definitely become the biggest factor come race day.

The race format included 3 race stages, with 2 climb transfers, and one gondola transfer. Race stage 1 was just over 5 minutes long, with high speed bunny hops over big rock water bars, followed by a 1 minute climb, and 2 minutes of flat traverses with tight blown out switchbacks. Lopes blasted out of the gate and took the win, but times were tight. Race stage 2 was similar, with fast traverses across ski runs, and super tight flat switchbacks that required lots of sprinting to get back to speed. Race stage 3 was the longest, with some super fun trail through the aspens with plenty of lines before funneling into the first race stage to the finish.

A great post race lunch was provided by the promoters, as well as a beer provided by Sierra Nevada brewing. Results were delayed by a couple hours, but the promoters wanted to make sure that they were all correct. The concert on the lawn right next to the finish line was a good enough distraction to keep most people happy while they waited.

When the dust settled, it was Curtis Keene on the top, just ahead of Lopes and Adam Craig. JHK and Ben Furbee rounded out the podium for the men. The women’s race was dominated by Heather Irmiger, with Krista Park in second and Kelli Emmett in third. Margaret Gregory and Alisha Gibson were 4th and 5th respectively.

Thanks to Ali Goulet and crew for another great enduro event! Now the traveling American Enduro circus heads to Winter Park, CO for the Enduro World Series. I know everyone is pretty excited to see how we all do when the Euros are in town, it should be fun!

Credit
Devon Balet
Race Report, Photos and Video: Bell Enduro Cup at Canyons Resort
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