The Bootleg Canyon trail network is about 20 miles outside of Las Vegas, in Boulder City, Nevada. As much of the country is blanketed in snow and freezing temperatures this winter, Bootleg Canyon hosted the New Mob In Mojave event last weekend under sunny skies and 70-degree weather.
This year's Mob race featured downhill, super d and dual slalom racing. In downhill, former
MBA "Young Ripper" Mitch Ropelato won the pro men's division, while World Champion Melissa Buhl brought home the top spot for the ladies.
The pro rider course incorporated the Snakeback Trail leading into the G-String Trail, while all other classes raced Snakeback to Reaper to G-String. The rugged Bootleg terrain is exceptionally demanding on bikes and riders, and both courses truly tested bike-handling abilities. On the pro course, the top times were just under four minutes, while the top expert times on the slightly longer amateur course were a nearly five minutes.
Mitch Ropelato took the pro men's victory by nearly two seconds. Although only 18 years old, he will be running his own program for 2010 focusing on both World Cup downhill and 4-Cross. He'll be racing Specialized frames and sporting Fox Racing's latest gear.
Photo: Ryan Cleek
Melissa Buhl made the trip from Arizona for the race at Bootleg. She won nearly every gravity title in the last couple years in the U.S., and she looked on top of her game again at the Mob event winning the pro women's downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek
A handful of Desert Big Horn sheep (or, as I prefer, Ovis Canadensis) were in the house, and running back-and-forth across the course to enjoy some mountain bike racing. Did you know the Desert Big Horn does not require drinking water in winter when green vegetation is available? Photo: Ryan Cleek
Although the amateur racers enjoyed their designated lower section of the course, it wasn't really all that different from the pro's bottom portion of their course. Most amateurs would prefer race the same course as the pros to compare their times.
Photo: Ryan Cleek
GT's Kevin Aiello is one of America's top young downhillers (Editor's note. Another one of my past "Young Rippers" featured riders). At just 18 years old, Kevin's ability is apparent in his smooth and effortless style at speed. His race run was good for third in pro downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek
There's only one way to the top if you want to ride Bootleg on a downhill bike. A big thanks goes to the shuttle drivers who volunteered their time on the weekend. Photo Emily Duke
The Bootleg Canyon trails are 20 miles away from Las Vegas, and have become a tourist destination in their own right.Photo: Emily Duke
Nancy Harris rides a section of the track that shows you why so many people were suffering tire punctures just 20 feet from the starting line.Photo: Ryan Cleek
KHS rider Logan Bingelli put down a fast time good enough for second place in the pro men's downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek
Doug French was on top of his game and brought home the win in the Expert men 19-29 category. Photo: Ryan Cleek
David KlaassenVanOurschot has been on fire with a string of podium finishes in recent SoCal winter series events, and remained consistent with a fourth place at the Mob event. Photo: Ryan Cleek
The Yeti RPM regional team had a big presence at the Mob event. Team director Keith Darner took third in the 40-49 Expert class. Photo: Ryan Cleek
Look for good things to come in 2010 from KHS rider, and fast up-and-comer Chris Heath. He finished in fifth place in pro downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek
DOWNHILL RESULTS
The New Mob had some curious classification breakdowns, like the junior pro division. It didn't really make sense, as it seemed to only water down the usually competitive junior expert division. Having both the men's pro and open class was also a head scratcher.
|
Downhill
Pro
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
146
|
Mitch
|
Ropelato
|
0:03:54.79
|
0:03:47.44
|
0:03:47.44
|
|
4
|
Logan
|
Binggeli
|
0:03:54.31
|
0:03:49.39
|
0:03:49.39
|
|
142
|
Kevin
|
Aiello
|
0:04:02.23
|
0:03:54.06
|
0:03:54.06
|
|
1
|
David
|
KlaassenVanOurschot
|
0:03:57.33
|
0:05:07.36
|
0:03:57.33
|
|
58
|
Chris
|
Heath
|
0:04:08.50
|
0:04:00.37
|
0:04:00.37
|
|
2
|
Naish
|
Ulmer
|
0:04:10.89
|
0:04:01.58
|
0:04:01.58
|
|
138
|
Mikey
|
Sylvestri
|
0:04:02.88
|
0:04:02.88
|
|
3
|
Chris
|
Boice
|
0:04:07.11
|
0:04:04.38
|
0:04:04.38
|
|
160
|
Nic
|
Hadley
|
0:04:16.20
|
0:04:05.77
|
0:04:05.77
|
|
47
|
Scott
|
Johnson
|
0:04:10.67
|
0:04:09.10
|
0:04:09.10
|
|
11
|
Jon
|
Widen
|
0:04:15.64
|
0:04:09.36
|
0:04:09.36
|
|
111
|
Quinton
|
Spaulding
|
0:04:11.87
|
0:04:11.18
|
0:04:11.18
|
|
122
|
Dante
|
Harmony
|
0:04:22.65
|
0:04:11.84
|
0:04:11.84
|
|
135
|
Kyle
|
Wideman
|
0:04:12.38
|
0:04:12.38
|
|
34
|
Erik
|
Nelson
|
0:04:13.32
|
0:04:13.40
|
0:04:13.32
|
|
116
|
Preston
|
Moore
|
0:04:23.95
|
0:04:15.74
|
0:04:15.74
|
|
54
|
Blake
|
Carney
|
0:04:16.58
|
0:04:20.88
|
0:04:16.58
|
|
7
|
Tyler
|
Wilson
|
0:04:18.04
|
0:07:16.88
|
0:04:18.04
|
|
43
|
Craig
|
Harvey
|
0:04:21.51
|
0:04:19.58
|
0:04:19.58
|
|
184
|
Dean
|
Abrams
|
0:04:26.44
|
0:04:26.44
|
|
14
|
Vincent
|
Sandez
|
0:04:28.24
|
0:04:52.22
|
0:04:28.24
|
|
57
|
Nate
|
Wierwille
|
0:04:32.05
|
0:04:32.05
|
|
134
|
Ian
|
Ferguson
|
0:04:38.62
|
0:04:38.62
|
|
169
|
Antonio
|
Gradillas
|
0:04:41.55
|
0:05:24.05
|
0:04:41.55
|
|
24
|
Andrew
|
Lane
|
0:04:41.73
|
0:04:45.07
|
0:04:41.73
|
|
85
|
Alfonso
|
Garcia
|
0:07:42.65
|
0:07:42.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Pro/Open Women
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
81
|
Melissa
|
Buhl
|
0:04:36.96
|
0:04:28.96
|
0:04:28.96
|
|
123
|
Jacqueline
|
Harmony
|
0:04:39.42
|
0:04:35.82
|
0:04:35.82
|
|
6
|
Christine
|
Hirst
|
0:05:30.85
|
0:05:18.23
|
0:05:18.23
|
|
9
|
Tasa
|
Herndon
|
0:05:19.21
|
0:05:24.54
|
0:05:19.21
|
|
80
|
Linden
|
Lane
|
0:05:34.65
|
0:05:26.26
|
0:05:26.26
|
|
8
|
Joy
|
Martin
|
0:05:39.49
|
0:05:39.49
|
|
5
|
Ana
|
Rodriguez
|
0:05:51.25
|
0:06:06.30
|
0:05:51.25
|
|
139
|
Margaret
|
Gregory
|
0:05:56.72
|
0:05:52.14
|
0:05:52.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Junior Pro
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
94
|
Adam
|
Digby
|
0:04:08.71
|
0:04:22.94
|
0:04:08.71
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
Chris
|
Ravina
|
0:04:17.66
|
0:04:09.86
|
0:04:09.86
|
|
18
|
Andy
|
Proctor
|
0:04:12.59
|
0:04:10.91
|
0:04:10.91
|
|
150
|
Alec
|
Toney
|
0:04:32.04
|
0:04:27.89
|
0:04:27.89
|
|
93
|
Trevor
|
Trinkino
|
0:04:33.71
|
0:04:23.94
|
0:04:23.94
|
|
26
|
Anthony
|
Marino
|
0:04:32.28
|
0:04:32.28
|
|
15
|
Dustin
|
Coker
|
0:04:37.09
|
0:04:38.91
|
0:04:37.09
|
|
88
|
Matt
|
Branney
|
0:05:23.19
|
05:13.78
|
05:13.78
|
|
Downhill
Open
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
13
|
Evan
|
Ames
|
0:04:16.12
|
0:04:16.12
|
|
187
|
Ricky
|
Bobby
|
0:04:34.99
|
0:04:26.77
|
0:04:26.77
|
|
66
|
Ryan
|
Sholes
|
0:04:31.14
|
0:04:27.71
|
0:04:27.71
|
|
89
|
Milan
|
Geis
|
0:04:28.66
|
0:04:29.37
|
0:04:28.66
|
|
132
|
Josef
|
Duller
|
0:04:29.02
|
0:04:34.02
|
0:09:03.04
|
|
128
|
Raybould
|
Owens
|
0:04:30.32
|
0:05:49.96
|
0:04:30.32
|
|
25
|
Tyles
|
Marshall
|
0:04:32.31
|
0:04:32.31
|
|
121
|
Matson
|
Hunter
|
0:04:35.06
|
0:04:41.06
|
0:04:35.06
|
|
130
|
Daniel
|
Brisbon
|
0:04:43.51
|
0:04:40.76
|
0:04:40.76
|
|
162
|
Mark
|
Hesser
|
0:04:45.59
|
0:04:45.59
|
|
31
|
Jeff
|
Frampton
|
0:04:45.79
|
0:04:45.79
|
|
180
|
Dan
|
Post
|
0:04:55.65
|
0:04:55.65
|
|
72
|
Kellen
|
Lutz
|
0:05:48.66
|
0:05:18.27
|
0:05:18.27
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Expert Under 18
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
143
|
Jake
|
Payne
|
0:04:54.30
|
0:04:54.30
|
|
155
|
Taylor
|
Sparks
|
0:05:05.03
|
0:05:05.03
|
|
72
|
Kellen
|
Lutz
|
0:05:48.66
|
0:05:48.66
|
|
59
|
Jake
|
Branney
|
0:06:05.96
|
0:06:05.96
|
|
Downhill
Expert 19 to 29
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
61
|
Doug
|
French
|
0:04:46.48
|
0:04:46.48
|
|
95
|
Rondo
|
Bauer
|
0:04:58.84
|
0:04:58.84
|
|
19
|
Kyle
|
Kendall
|
0:04:59.84
|
0:04:59.84
|
|
147
|
Dan
|
Godard
|
0:05:03.01
|
0:05:03.01
|
|
90
|
Scott
|
Gladu
|
0:05:03.12
|
0:05:03.12
|
|
114
|
Brent
|
Carter
|
0:05:04.66
|
0:05:04.66
|
|
120
|
Robert
|
Compton
|
0:05:07.08
|
0:05:07.08
|
|
124
|
Mario
|
Macias
|
0:05:12.94
|
0:05:12.94
|
|
86
|
Daniel
|
Orellana
|
0:05:13.25
|
0:05:13.25
|
|
144
|
Luke
|
Wronski
|
0:05:14.81
|
0:05:14.81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148
|
Blair
|
Brown
|
0:05:15.69
|
0:05:15.69
|
|
79
|
Peter
|
Knepper
|
0:05:16.59
|
0:05:16.59
|
|
141
|
Justin
|
Lucchetti
|
0:05:19.85
|
0:05:19.85
|
|
156
|
Scott
|
Medinger
|
0:05:20.07
|
0:05:20.07
|
|
189
|
Patrick
|
Reynosa
|
0:05:21.50
|
0:05:21.50
|
|
52
|
Ben
|
Jones
|
0:05:24.86
|
0:05:24.86
|
|
106
|
Anders
|
Farstad
|
0:05:25.62
|
0:05:25.62
|
|
74
|
Noah
|
Sears
|
0:05:26.43
|
0:05:26.43
|
|
140
|
Mario
|
Lucchetti
|
0:05:27.42
|
0:05:27.42
|
|
71
|
Lionel
|
Martinez
|
0:05:28.54
|
0:05:28.54
|
|
166
|
Nathan
|
Podshadley
|
0:05:35.47
|
0:05:35.47
|
|
119
|
Gilbert
|
Cazessus
|
0:05:35.58
|
0:05:35.58
|
|
77
|
Terrence
|
Yazzie
|
0:05:36.75
|
0:05:36.75
|
|
75
|
Jonathan
|
Yazzie
|
0:05:55.12
|
0:05:55.12
|
|
110
|
Raul
|
Goldbaum
|
0:06:17.09
|
0:06:17.09
|
|
68
|
Rob
|
Stenson
|
0:08:26.68
|
0:08:26.68
|
|
151
|
Shadd
|
Stephen
|
0:10:19.68
|
0:10:19.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Expert 30 to 39
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
158
|
David
|
Beeson
|
0:04:45.81
|
0:04:45.81
|
|
157
|
Ben
|
Craner
|
0:04:53.96
|
0:04:53.96
|
|
115
|
Ryan
|
Cleek
|
0:04:54.68
|
0:04:54.68
|
|
98
|
Jess
|
Fowler
|
0:05:07.88
|
0:05:07.88
|
|
80
|
Bill
|
Benda
|
0:05:12.39
|
0:05:12.39
|
|
164
|
Steve
|
Zvorsky
|
0:05:16.62
|
0:05:16.62
|
|
73
|
Evan
|
Chute
|
0:05:18.69
|
0:05:18.69
|
|
48
|
Wesley
|
Bennett
|
0:05:26.44
|
0:05:26.44
|
|
131
|
Mike
|
Taylor
|
0:05:28.66
|
0:05:28.66
|
|
35
|
Billy
|
Mantle
|
0:05:33.57
|
0:05:33.57
|
|
149
|
Stephen
|
Dimitrov
|
0:05:43.86
|
0:05:43.86
|
|
157
|
Ben
|
Craner
|
05:51.23
|
05:51.23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Expert 40 to 49
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
136
|
Charlie
|
Kocornik
|
0:05:23.40
|
0:05:23.40
|
|
96
|
Sam
|
Hull
|
0:05:24.03
|
0:05:24.03
|
|
78
|
Keith
|
Darner
|
0:05:30.58
|
0:05:30.58
|
|
23
|
Tom
|
Ray
|
0:05:33.53
|
0:05:33.53
|
|
28
|
Randy
|
Hall
|
05:37.0
|
0:05:37.03
|
|
63
|
Randy
|
Barr
|
0:05:37.39
|
0:05:37.39
|
|
177
|
Vahe
|
Aivazian
|
0:05:40.10
|
0:05:40.10
|
|
40
|
David
|
Dasta
|
0:05:58.64
|
0:05:58.64
|
|
44
|
Gary
|
Bischoff
|
0:06:16.23
|
0:06:16.23
|
|
Downhill
Expert Over 50
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
179
|
Bobby
|
Bondurant
|
0:06:07.82
|
0:06:07.82
|
|
65
|
Roger
|
Gutierrez
|
0:06:17.54
|
0:06:17.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Sport Under 18
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
12
|
Mckay
|
Vezina
|
0:05:04.47
|
0:05:04.47
|
|
70
|
Matt
|
Slentley
|
0:05:19.50
|
0:05:19.50
|
|
154
|
Marcus
|
McCafferty
|
0:05:22.25
|
0:05:22.25
|
|
165
|
Brian
|
Boltinghouse
|
0:05:26.37
|
0:05:26.37
|
|
10
|
Sean
|
Lark
|
DNS
|
DNS
|
|
101
|
Sean
|
Geisler
|
DNF
|
DNF
|
|
Downhill
Sport 19 to 29
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
36
|
Bailey
|
Peeso
|
0:06:32.67
|
0:06:32.67
|
|
83
|
Daniel
|
Cavero
|
0:06:33.46
|
0:06:33.46
|
|
82
|
Jason
|
Dewey
|
0:06:34.08
|
0:06:34.08
|
|
97
|
Dan
|
Lawrence
|
06:36.8
|
06:36.8
|
|
53
|
Eddie
|
McDonald
|
0:06:50.15
|
0:06:50.15
|
|
159
|
Andy
|
Knox
|
0:07:02.07
|
0:07:02.07
|
|
191
|
Jason
|
Moseley
|
0:07:09.86
|
0:07:09.86
|
|
84
|
Brian
|
Kestetter
|
0:07:47.72
|
0:07:47.72
|
|
Downhill
Sport 30 to 39
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
125
|
Michael
|
Clark
|
0:06:32.48
|
0:06:32.48
|
|
137
|
Eon
|
Jarvis
|
0:06:33.07
|
0:06:33.07
|
|
22
|
Kyle
|
Diaz
|
0:06:41.48
|
0:06:41.48
|
|
117
|
Rohan
|
Stites
|
06:49.86
|
0:06:49.86
|
|
103
|
Alex
|
Hedman
|
07:00.00
|
0:07:00.00
|
|
167
|
Michael
|
Ferraro
|
0:07:03.30
|
0:07:03.30
|
|
30
|
Brian
|
Leal
|
0:07:31.53
|
0:07:31.53
|
|
41
|
Mark
|
Leary
|
0:07:50.00
|
0:07:50.00
|
|
Downhill
Sport 40 to 49
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
38
|
Larry
|
Young
|
0:06:57.07
|
0:06:57.07
|
|
42
|
James
|
Van
Vorst
|
0:07:39.57
|
0:07:39.57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downhill
Sport Over 50
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
45
|
Parisfal
|
Smith-Hill
|
0:07:48.14
|
0:07:48.14
|
|
Downhill
Beginner Under 18
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
190
|
Dillon
|
Simmons
|
0:06:31.75
|
0:06:31.75
|
|
178
|
Dylan
|
Sierra
|
0:06:53.55
|
0:06:53.55
|
|
129
|
Aaron
|
Richner
|
0:06:54.14
|
0:06:54.14
|
|
49
|
Tanner
|
Leslie
|
0:06:56.25
|
0:06:56.25
|
|
99
|
Wyatt
|
Freier
|
0:07:04.16
|
0:07:04.16
|
|
118
|
Ian
|
Von
Schulze
|
0:07:17.10
|
0:07:17.10
|
|
50
|
Zack
|
Ward
|
0:07:20.03
|
0:07:20.03
|
|
102
|
Ethan
|
Hull
|
0:07:31.45
|
0:07:31.45
|
|
145
|
Austin
|
Lelles
|
0:07:35.81
|
0:07:35.81
|
|
Downhill
Beginner 19 to 29
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
21
|
Max
|
Maison
|
0:06:41.12
|
0:06:41.12
|
|
56
|
Grant
|
Kumatara
|
0:07:48.57
|
0:07:48.57
|
|
16
|
Peter
|
Lassaline
|
0:08:09.59
|
0:08:09.59
|
|
39
|
Kenny
|
Price
|
DNS
|
DNS
|
|
Downhill
Beginner 30 to 39
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
127
|
Jesse
|
Henson
|
dns
|
DNS
|
|
183
|
James
|
Carey
|
dns
|
DNS
|
|
Downhill
Open Women
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
133
|
Amy
|
Forwand
|
0:07:31.99
|
0:07:31.99
|
|
91
|
Megan
|
Applegate
|
0:09:28.24
|
0:09:28.24
|
|
Downhill
Open Women Over 40
|
|
|
Plate
#
|
Name
|
Surname
|
First
Run
|
Second
Run
|
Best
Time
|
|
100
|
Carmen
|
Bastek
|
0:07:41.24
|
0:07:41.24
|
|
76
|
Nancy
|
Harris
|
0:07:50.60
|
0:07:50.60
|
|
62
|
Kathleen
|
Kingma
|
0:07:57.48
|
0:07:57.48
|