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Tinker Takes Title

Sometimes races turn out like you expect, and some times they totally surprise you. Take, oh, the NORBA XC finals here in Vermont for example. The morning's race between the women was expected to showcase some dominant riding and a probable championship repeat for Ruthie Matthes (USA, PowerBar) (Hear Her Speak). As Volvo-Cannondale's Alison Sydor led a nearly American-free top five for a powerful victory, Matthes rode to 6th place and ensured her third-straight national championship.

Then there's the surprise. Later in the day the men raced in gloomy conditions with current champion Steve Larsen (USA, Schwinn-Toyota) (Hear Him Speak) looking to repeat his title with Tinker Juarez (USA, Volvo-Cannondale) (Hear Him Speak) in a close overall points pursuit. For Juarez to win his first title in two years, he'd need a small miracle. And that's exactly what happened. Juarez rode an inspired race, while Larsen succumbed to a dreadful mechanical, losing his title in the process.

WOMEN:

The day began quietly with sparse crowds walking up the grassy hill of Mount Snow to watch the women's race at 10 a.m. Matthes came into the race with a commanding points lead over Tammy Jacques (USA, Schwinn-Toyota), secure in her title quest. While the day's victory went to the world's best female rider, Alison Sydor (CAN, Volvo-Cannondale) (Hear Her Speak), Matthes did in fact achieve her goal to win the title for the third year running.

Ruthie Matthes Strolling

"Anything can happen out there, and there is a great group of women — it's really competitive," Matthes said after riding hard for three laps. Asked if there was a defining moment in her season, she replied, "this race — I really don't take anything for granted, and I really wanted to be on that podium."

While Matthes rode a steady race in 6th place for all three laps, Sydor surged ahead to the tune of 30 seconds per lap. A Canadian who isn't eligible for the NORBA crown, Sydor used this American race to train for the world cup finals and World's.

"It was real mountain bike racing," said Sydor. "It was great to have a shorter race with world cup finals coming up. You didn't have to go all out, and this was an excellent course."

Current World Champion Paola Pezzo (ITA, Gary Fisher) (Hear Her Speak) marked her return to competition after a month's absence by taking second place, making a strong mid-race surge from 5th to 2nd.

"Today was very difficult for the first lap because of my training in Italy," Pezzo explained. "It was very technical with a lot of climbing. I haven't been racing for four weeks, just training at altitude. After the first lap it was good though, as I prepare for the World Championship."

MEN:

The afternoon race was expected to be an exciting one, with a close points race between the top three Americans: Steve Larsen, Tinker Juarez and Travis Brown (Hear Him Speak). Larsen had been protecting a narrow lead all season, campaigning hard to win the title outright. As the runner-up in last year's series to then-Canadian Kirk Molday, Larsen became U.S. champ and Molday NORBA champ. Today was Larsen's opportunity to prove his worthiness and, barring something tragic, would be his day to shine.

Larsen Settles for Second in Series

Tragedy, such as it is in mountain biking, is exactly what struck Larsen's season in the first lap as his chain jammed, his race ended, and his championship hopes vanished. As he raced to catch the leaders, Juarez had the good fortune to simultaneously fly off the front of the pack, his team figuring on his championship chances. If Juarez won the race and Larsen finished out of the top 10, the title would go to Tinker.

Larsen moved up from 28th to 18th and finally finished his race 20th — not good enough to maintain the points lead. "The very first shift I made, my small chainring jammed up, and it took at least a minute-and-a-half to fix it," he lamented. "The way this course is, you can't pass, so no matter how hard I rode you couldn't get anywhere."

Juarez therefore combined a stroke of luck with a great winning ride to - much to his own surprise - win the '98 title. Crossing the finish line to a loud ovation, Juarez rolled to his waiting wife and team personnel and embraced in a tearful celebration.

"I haven't won a race in two years, and almost forgot how it felt. This one was better than just about any of them. I'm getting up there in age and had so much motivation this year to do it," Juarez said after his commanding performance. "I just had to go back to my old roots and ride like I knew I could."

Beside a ride which put nearly two minutes on second-place Brown, Tinker's win and championship was significantly helped by the bad luck of Larsen, to which he commented, "Steve just rode an awesome season all year, and I didn't have a clue that I'd take his title away. It would have to be one of his worst days ever, and I'm not going to wish that on anyone."

Tinker Can Only Smile

He continued, "I just wanted to win a race before the season ended. I was running out of races and knew the next couple are going to be even harder. I've had good luck in Vermont in all conditions and have ridden here for six years. But hey, I won the title and it just makes the win that much sweeter."

While Travis Brown didn't have a good mathematical chance of a national title, he rode for the win after a great late-season to finish his season in third overall. "I had the luxury of thinking about the race today, because of the top three guys I had the least to lose. I knew how we'd all have to do for me to take the jersey, but Tinker was steadily taking a few seconds out of me in each section of the course. I'm psyched to get second and finish off the season like this," he said.

About the technical course, Brown said, "we probably spent 70 to 80 percent of our time on that long, technical climb. There were a lot of roots and slick rocks, and if you could stay on your bike you made a lot of time. On the fourth lap it got really hard and there were sections where I just pooped out. But this was a great crowd, and they were LOUD!"

— Ari Cheren, wrapping up the NCS in Mt. Snow