Finn Iles and Vaea Verbeeck
Photos: Clint Trahan and Chris Pilling
Canadian National DH Champs, Finn Iles and Vaea Verbeeck, go all-in in today’s Downhill race, the second-to-last in CLIF Crankworx Summer Series racing
SUN PEAKS, B.C., August 13, 2020 — 18 days in to back-to-back-to-back racing and training, B.C.’s best mountain bikers still managed to turn it on when it counted, on a gruelling, long and physical track in the Maxxis Sun Peaks DH.
“I love this track,” said Finn Iles, who clocked the fastest time of the day with a 4:28.33. “ The top two and a half minutes of this one was so fun. It’s fast and straight and everything you want in a Downhill track. It was really physical. Four and a half minutes long. That’s basically the longest Downhill track you’ll find anywhere in terms of World Cup length or Crankworx length.”
“I felt like I needed a bit of redemption after last week,” he added, of his uncharacteristic 10th place finish in the Maxxis Kicking Horse DH. “I was kind of frustrated with myself. I felt like I hadn’t been riding my Downhill bike as well as I would have liked to over the past three weeks. So today I sort of figured something out on my bike and decided I should probably go for it and I feel like I rode really well. I’m super excited to take the win.”
The women’s first place finisher who, like Iles, is the reigning Canadian National Downhill Champ, echoed his elation.
“It feels awesome,” said Vaea Verbeeck, who’s 5:12.46 earned her the top spot. “Yesterday I was so exhausted I was just thinking about getting food in me and going to bed. But today it feels like an even bigger relief and I’m actually enjoying it. As much as I felt super exhausted – my arms were just about to fall off – I kind of noticed in practice this morning that when I was riding, I was charging. So I could still gather a little bit of energy to focus on the riding part, which made me pretty excited about dropping in for the race.”
Verbeeck said she did make a major mistake on track, drifting off trail and into the bushes, almost running into a tree, but managed to get back control.
“I had a great race run but still thought I gave it away. So I’m stoked I got a super clean race other than that one mistake.”
And while Iles secured enough points to clinch the overall CLIF Crankworx Summer Series Championship yesterday, Verbeeck is not guaranteed but is certainly on the cusp. She would have to be a DNS in tomorrow’s race, and earn no points, to not take the overall.
That said, she said she’s still ready to charge in the Sun Peaks Air DH, the final event to wrap up three weeks of competition.
“It’s never over ‘til it’s over.”
FULL RESULTS: Maxxis Sun Peaks DH – Elite Men
FULL RESULTS: Maxxis Sun Peaks DH – Elite Women
One step down from Iles, Norco Factory Racing’s Henry Fitzgerald had much to celebrate. He ushered in his 22nd year with a second place finish.
“I felt really good,” said Fitzgerald, who was just over two seconds behind Iles with a 4:30.68. “Where I had to pedal I pedaled really hard. There were a few tricky corners where I don’t know if anyone felt good. I didn’t feel too good there, but I think it was a super quantifiable run where there’s things I can work on, but other things I feel good with. I’m super happy with it.”
The podium is his second of the Summer Series. He is one of the series’ big winners, having come first in the legendary return of the Psychosis DH race.
“I was definitely more nervous in the hot seat today than I was in Psychosis, just cause, I was a bit more surprised in Psychosis…it was just so long. I was so worked. All I was focused on was just trying to cool down for the next 20 minutes after my run. I was still pouring water on myself.”
Behind Fitzgerald, another memorable performance.
Kirk McDowall had to drop in unexpectedly last after a mishap on his first run.
“It got quite windy right before we started going, and one of the aluminum banners fell onto the first corner on the course,” said McDowall. “I couldn’t see it until it was too late. Thankfully I didn’t crash, but the bike took a hit and really bent the front brake rotor really badly. Someone was able to bring one up for me and we swapped it out at the top. That was a new experience for me, but it turned out OK.”
McDowall fixed his bike and did a re-run, finishing his day with a 4:33.52, earning him the final podium spot.
“I feel like my brain has been going a hundred miles a minute. Of course during the run it always is but now this time the 10 minutes leading up to my run as well I was just stressing. It feels like kind of a relief to just be down here now. It’s nice to be in third for sure. I had a good run.”
CLIF Crankworx Summer Series racing action from Sun Peaks wraps tomorrow. The Sun Peaks Air DH will be the final race, after the series debuted the global return of live mountain bike racing after it came to a halt in March.
The CLIF Crankworx Summer Series’ live broadcasts are available on crankworx.com, Pinkbike and EDGEsport (available to view through TV, online and digital services).
Get the full details of all broadcast/content for Week Three of the CLIF Crankworx Summer Series: Crankworx News
Get Stoked. Be safe. Watch #CrankworxFromHome.
About the CLIF Crankworx Summer Series
The CLIF Crankworx Summer Series (CCSS) brings together some of the best of British Columbia’s mountain bike athletes and riding destinations in a made-for-T.V., multi-stop series. 25 invited B.C.-based riders, including some of the best pros and up-and-comers from Crankworx, the UCI DH World Cup and the Enduro World Series, will compete across multiple disciplines for the overall CLIF Crankworx Summer Series title. Through live race coverage, event highlights, weekly recaps, and more, fans will get to follow their favourite riders as they compete in Downhill, Dual Slalom, Enduro, and Air DH, and come along for the ride as they experience some of the best riding B.C. has to offer. Get stoked. Be safe. Watch #CrankworxFromHome. For additional information, visit crankworx.com.
About the Crankworx World Tour
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, CWNEXT categories for next gen athletes, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations. For additional information, visit Crankworx.com