Florida State Championship series #2 / EMTB #2 – Hanna park – Jacksonville, Fl
This beach side trail was one of the FSC rounds way back in the inaugural season of 1993 and has always brought a competitive and unique flavor to the series, with its tight twisty trails and virtually flat terrain it is also one of the hardest to succeed at, to win at Hanna means you know how to handle a bike in the woods.
This year the trails were in perhaps the best shape ever with some early week rains and the dedicated efforts of SORBA Jax. The club always exceeds expectations and this year was no exception, the trails were trimmed and prepped following a hard summer of weather and then they also managed the parking and road crossings along with the course clean up, many thanks to the vol’s!
So on to the races, with the twisty trails and jungle like conditions (yes it was also a little hot and humid), getting a good start was important because things tend to happen fast, so concentration is key so that you don’t slow your pace and lose sight of the rider in front of you. BTW If anyone thinks elevation is necessary for a “mountain” bike race, then this course is a good example that shoots that theory down, the look on the faces of the finishers is really all you need to confirm.
The elite men’s class was a knock down drag out battle that peaked on the fourth and final lap with a lead group of no less than of six began setting up for the final push for the win but in the end it was Jack Mizzoni with his first ever elite win over a very competitive field. Meanwhile in the women’s top class it was Amy Talbot taking a hard fought win over Kelly Lalima. The Pemon leaders jerseys will stay on the shoulders of Amy Talbot and Nick Mackie going into round three.
The Gear Bicycle sales E MTB series round #2 was also an exciting one and a little dramatic as Nick Mackie took his second men’s expert win and Patricia Doring took the women’s class but defending champ Kelly Lalima suffered a broken collar bone while leading which will almost certainly effect her chances for another title (heal up soon Kelly!).
The team championship is also shaping up to be an interesting race as team “Bike Parlor” became the new point’s leader.
FSC #3 / CC#1 + ST will be at Dyer park in West Palm Beach on October 7th & 8th, see you there!
