Florida State Championship series #4 – Vortex trailhead – Ocala, Fl

The switch has happened, at the halfway point in the series in a matter of one day we traded 90 degree high humidity for 70’s and low humidity (we even saw sweatshirts in the morning). The change was long in the making but at least it is starting to feel like fall around the paddock.

The Vortex course this time was a mix of technical and fast flowing trails with the bulk of the techie stuff coming in the first half and by techie we mean rocky tight terrain sprinkled with steep climbs and descents. This challenging trail was 6.9 miles long and provided close racing all day.

Ryan Woodall was the overall winner by a hair on his home turf and in the women’s top category Valentina Ferrer-Assad emerged with the win (her first of the series). The Neutral Service leaders jersey’s will belong to Ryan Woodall in the men’s and there is now a new women’s jersey holder with Alicia Truc Fernandez claiming the honors.

Team “The Beast Battalion 2026” continues to hold the points lead in the team championship but it was “HLS McCarty Training” bringing home the team time trial win and clawing back some valuable points to get within 10 points of the lead going into round #5.

Next event is this weekend at the Loyce Harpe park trails in Lakeland on 10-24/25 which is a double header (ST & XC) and a Coconut Cup make up race (both).