Florida State Championship series #1 + TT + E MTB #1 – Tom Brown park – Tallahassee, Fl (photo credit to Ron Bennett)

With Hurricane Idalia heading to the area it was unsure if the event would even happen but the storm steered more towards the Southern end of the Big Bend area and as bad as the damage was we are thankful it was not worse. The City of Tallahassee and TMBA (Tallahassee Mountain Bike Association) club stepped up big time and cleared the course from the debris and removed five downed trees, that plus all the effort from the previous weeks trail work resulted in great conditions for the race weekend.

Saturday the traditional series individual time trial bonus race was held on the full XC course which was 6.3 miles in total and it was Drew Edsall that set the fast time with a blistering 22:53 time (the only one to break the 23 minute mark BTW). Amy Talbot claimed the top women’s time and so the stage was set for an epic XC race on Sunday.

The elite race started at a ferocious pace and it quickly evolved into a three way battle but this time it was Nick Mackie getting the nod after four tough laps while in the women’s top class Amy Talbot pulled the hat trick by taking both wins for the weekend.

Nick Mackie and Amy Talbot also shared the podium as the Pemon leader’s jersey recipients following the first round of the series.

Sunday was also the first round of the Gear Bicycle sales E MTB series and current USAC national E MTB champs Nick Mackie and Kelly Lalima ended up with the wins. Don’t forget every round of this year’s FSC will also host an EMTB point’s series race.

FSC #2 will be at Hanna park in Jacksonville on 9-17, hope to see everyone there!