Wilmington
May 18, 2013 saw the return of the 2013 Wilmington Grand Prix. This course is notoriously hard as it features 8 technical turns within a 1 mile lap. The average speed in the Cat 2/3 field, at least by my calculations, was right under 25 mph. Given the technical nature of the course there really are only two places where significant changes in the positioning can be made during the race: 1) On the finishing road and 2) on the backside downhill into turn 7. Typically option #2 is not used by as many riders given the fact that turn 7 is the tightest turn of the entire race. The rest of the course is spent strung out, avoiding potholes, making the turn, and dreaming about stopping at the Peanut Butter & Co tent post race to try ALL the flavors (seriously, try them all... they are incredible).
As this race is a staple in the NCC series, some of the best riders in the country turn up for the event. Therefore, regardless of which race you're in, the environment is one which any level of cyclist would feel like a pro if only for a moment. The flip side ... since it's in the NCC series you are going to HURT during this race. Unavoidable, impossible, grab your drops cause it's gonna be a fast one.
The day was exactly that. Each day was full of straight lines of riders gripping the bars and hanging on for dear life. Spectators had their fill of excitement among all of the bike races, inflatable obstacles, dances in between races, kids races and much more. As this was an NCC race, there were numerous photographers capturing the days event on film. Please see below for pictures from the races as well as a link to the final race results:
Results - Here
As this race is a staple in the NCC series, some of the best riders in the country turn up for the event. Therefore, regardless of which race you're in, the environment is one which any level of cyclist would feel like a pro if only for a moment. The flip side ... since it's in the NCC series you are going to HURT during this race. Unavoidable, impossible, grab your drops cause it's gonna be a fast one.
The day was exactly that. Each day was full of straight lines of riders gripping the bars and hanging on for dear life. Spectators had their fill of excitement among all of the bike races, inflatable obstacles, dances in between races, kids races and much more. As this was an NCC race, there were numerous photographers capturing the days event on film. Please see below for pictures from the races as well as a link to the final race results:
Results - Here
Race Pictures / Video1. Wilmington Grand Prix 2. Wilmington Grand Prix 3. Wilmington Grand Prix (Video - Pro Race) 4. Wilmington Grand Prix 5. WIlmington Grand Prix 2/3 6. Wilmington Grand Prix - Women's Pro-1 | Photographer1. Christopher Permar 2. Frank Tirrell 3. WDEL 4. Dennis Smith 5. Stephanie Devlin 6. Drake Jordan |
Kelly Cup / Bike Jam
Kelly Cup / Bike Jam certainly is a staple of the MABRA series. Discussions among riders in the days leading up to the race usually involve tales of war stories from prior seasons. Naturally they are an epic tale of strength, courage, calculated (and some un-calculated) risks in order to achieve a glorious outcome. For others, the journey and battle proved too long and gruesome. All that remains is a dream of next year.
Nonetheless 2013 saw the return of the Bike Jam. Despite any war stories, many riders love this race. It is never lacking in thrills, excitement, danger and hopefully one EPIC story at the end. The race is anything but easy and challenges riders over the terrain, technical design and the overall talent of the field showing up each season.
While I was unable to partake in the race myself this season, I did get a solid view, and perhaps a "picture book summary," of the race. See here andddd here for more description on that. More pictures, video and results all can be seen below:
Results - Here
Nonetheless 2013 saw the return of the Bike Jam. Despite any war stories, many riders love this race. It is never lacking in thrills, excitement, danger and hopefully one EPIC story at the end. The race is anything but easy and challenges riders over the terrain, technical design and the overall talent of the field showing up each season.
While I was unable to partake in the race myself this season, I did get a solid view, and perhaps a "picture book summary," of the race. See here andddd here for more description on that. More pictures, video and results all can be seen below:
Results - Here
Race Pictures / Video1. Kelly Cup / Bike Jam (Video - Cat 4 Race) 2. Kelly Cup / Bike Jam 3. Kelly Cup / Bike Jam 4. Kelly Cup / Bike Jam | Photographer1. Kent Lee 2. Lesley Olson 3. Jay Wescott 4. Andrew Crabb |
*If you have any pictures available which you would like added above, please shoot us a message and we will add them!