Coinciding with the US Kenda Cup cross-country race in Fontana, California, was the first of four rounds of the 2010 California Golden State Downhill Championship. Although the downhill wasn’t officially a part of a “National” race series, it was formally structured like a National gravity event, with separate courses dividing the pros and experts from the beginner and sport racers.

For being a Golden State Championship race, the pro downhill field featured about a dozen World Cup racers, and the fun and challenging course didn’t disappoint the riders or fans.

As to be expected on a relatively short downhill course (the pro men’s winning time was 2:07), less than one second divided the top three pro men, with America’s top two World Cup descenders Aaron Gwin and Duncan Riffle taking first and second place in that order. The 2009 World Championship bronze medalist Mick Hannah was on the same second as the top spot, but landed in third place.

A handful of World and National champions were present in pro men’s field, including: Eric Carter, Jared Rando, Cody Warren, Rich Houseman, and Mitch Ropelato.

For the women, World Champion Melissa Buhl dominated the pro women’s downhill field, besting second place finisher Joanna Petterson nearly 17 seconds.


Just a couple of years ago Aaron Gwin began racing downhill at Fontana. Today, he’s America’s top World Cup downhill racer, and took the win this past weekend.


This steep section of the pro/expert course drew a good size crowd, and ruined many racers’ weekends.


When it comes to summertime Southridge Racing in Fontana, you know what you’re going to get--rocky and loose conditions.


The crowd held their collective breath as each racer descended the rock “waterfall”.


 Giant Factory team rider Duncan Riffle put down a fast run for second place in the pro men’s division.


Venice, California’s Willy Galinato en route to the vet pro win.


The GT Bicycles downhill crew was out in full force. Australian Mick Hannah was .33 seconds back from Gwin, landing in third place.  


The Golden State Championship does not require pro license to race in the pro division. Some competitors were suspect.


Despite little practice time, veteran Eric Carter put down a run good enough for fifth place, about four seconds off of Gwin’s time.
To watch EC's race run helmet cam footage click here.


ODI rider David KlaassenVanOrschot had his best result at the Fontana City National downhill, fourth in pro men.


Young speedster Mitch Ropelato scored a second place in pro mountaincross on Saturday behind World Champion Jared Graves. Mitch took a hard spill near the very end of the downhill race ending his pursuit of another podium finish on the weekend.


In 2009, GT rider Kevin Aiello finished second place in pro downhill at the Fontana City National.  However, this year he slid out in the turn at the bottom of this rock slab. For being a teenager, Kevin has a gang of speed and style, so look for good things to come from him 2010.


Ryan Condrashoff heads the ODI X-Fusion downhill team, and despite having some bike setup issues finished 12th in the field of 41 pro downhillers. 




Rich Houseman finished 10th out of the 41 pro men downhillers.
Go onboard with Rich as he does a practice run down the pro/expert course.

Epic Cam HD footage Fontana DH National course. from Rich Houseman on Vimeo.

 

Pro Men Results

1.Aaron Gwin                           2:07.28

2. Duncan Riffle                        2:07.48

3. Mick Hannah                         2:07.61

4. David KlaassenVanOrschot     2:09.35

5. Eric Carter                            2:11.41

6. Tyler Immer                           2:12.15

7. Logan Binggieli                       2:12.22

8. Jason Memmelaar                   2:12.40

9. Jared      Rando                      2:12.82

10. Rich Houseman                    2:14.20

 

Pro Women Results

1. Melissa Buhl                    2:26.03

2. Joanna Petterson             2:43.74

3. Gabriela Williams            2:44.47

 

				For complete Fontana City National downhill results click here