The Burner at Angel Fire, the last downhill mountain-bike race of the season, pushed the 142 competitors to the brink and back for 12 straight hours over some of the most technically challenging terrain in North America. Temperatures dipped into the 20s yesterday at Angle Fire Resort, but the drive of the racers really heated things up.
After trailing most of the race and persevering through multiple mechanical issues, Waylon Smith of Newhall, California, defended his title as Pro Solo Male champ and set a new event record of 33 laps in 11:46:19. Along with the victory, Smith claims a prize of $500 and bragging rights for another year. “I have to thank Red Bull for putting together this great event which really brings out the true racer in you,” said the exhausted yet enthusiastic Smith after winning. “Even if you have a mishap, if you really want it, you can claw your way back and win. It’s awesome and I love it.”
Winners include:
Pro Solo Male: First – Waylon Smith, Second – Ryan Sutton, Third – Dante Harmony
Pro Solo Female: First – Jacqueline Harmony, Second – Linden Lane, Third – Lisa Reinhard
Expert Solo Male: First – Robert Garcia, Second – Gary Dye, Third – Rohan Stites
Team: First – ppcsolar.com, Second – Road 34, Third – Simbros
Pro Duo Relay: First – ppcsolar.com, Second – Road 34, Third – Simbros
Expert Duo Relay: First – Team Whatever Man, Second – Team Sedona, Third – Cee-Low Riderz
Not claiming a prize, but overall fan favorite was 41-year-old Lance Fischer of Stillwater, Oklahoma who rode the entire race with a fixed-tail bike. Though his bike was not made for this type of riding, Fischer remarkably completed 18 full laps.
Each racer had a choice of which downhill trail they would use, the World Cup DH, Supreme DH, and Combi DH, each varying in difficulty. Riders raced into the night over 80 miles of DH trails and 50k feet of vert. Extreme, yes. But for these talented and spirited riders, it was all in a day’s work.