Team Kappius Mountain Bike Team: USA National XC Championships

Mike Hogan on his way to a national championship

The 45-49 2010 USA National Championship Podium

Mike Hogan winning the 45+ category 1 race (photo @ Hank Harris)

Mike Hogan brought home the first stars & stripes jersey for Justin's / Titus this year with a win at the 2010 USA national championships. Hogan has multiple titles in the national marathon & finished 2nd at that event 2 weeks ago. The XC title has eluded him until now. He races a brilliant race on a beautiful course to best a top notch 45-49 field. Ward Baker took the 2nd step on the podium in the 40-49 field & Gary Thacker was 2nd in the 55+ field. Keith Sanders, the defending champion on the similar 2009 course had a mechanical setback & finished 4th in the 50+ filed leading in teammates Mark Gouge (6th), Drew Geer (7th), Jack Boltz & Dennis Haberkorn. Dave Wright stepped onto the 3rd spot on the podium the day before in the category 2 race.

Karen Hogan on the final descent

Coreen Wright

Sherri Boltz

Karen Hogan, reigning champion, fought a hard battle to finish 2nd behind Anne Gonzales. Coreen Wright was 3rd - matching her marathon national podium spot. Sherri Boltz finished 3rd in the 40-45 field.

Ward Baker surfing the dust

Gary Thacker on the opening single track climb

The race started early but it was already hot at the gun. The course, designed by Keith Sanders, was a perfect championship course. All the quirks from the 2009 course had been worked out to make for a great race. It has been hot & dry in the valley the past few weeks so the course was loose & very dusty. The start again went straight up the ski hill road - very steep but allowing for some field split. A brief section of smooth single track followed made up of steep switch backs. A nice 2nd section of road climb allowed for a general sorting out of places followed by more single track & more road. The top loop was all moderate climb over small rough rock. This was easy enough to ride but hard to ride smooth & fast. Then came the descents - rough, dusty, twisty single track with sudden obstacles appearing around the corners. This was a real treat. There was nothing technical enough to be scary, but riding this fast took finesse & the best riders made up a lot of time. The final drop eliminated "Patriot" from the 2009 course & instead took us down the beginner DH run - groomed burms & fast turns down to the start finish for a 2nd loop. The course had everything it needs to decide a champion: climbing, technical pieces & fast DH.