PORT ANGELES — No need for more cowbells at Dry Hill.
The hundreds of spectators lining the pro course for Sunday’s Northwest Cup downhill mountain bike races brought enough for everyone.
Riders from across the globe, professional and amateur alike, took on the meticulously manicured tracks located on Green Crow and state Department of Natural Resources timber land just west of Port Angeles this weekend.
They were flanked by throngs at both sides, creating a chaotic clamor with their bullhorns, whistles and, yes, cowbells that echoed through the forest.
The four-day event ended with a world-class ring.
“The crowd was as good as a World Cup,” said English professional Tracy Moseley of Trek World Racing Team. “They really got into it.
“It’s such a cool atmosphere, really kind of a low-key feel, like no pressure, but there was loads of big riders here and certainly a really good fun weekend.”
Moseley was one of dozens of pros — many sporting enough decals to decorate a stock car — who came to compete in the races linked to the U.S. Pro GRT circuit.
She was also the best woman around, flying down the one-mile pro course in 2 minutes, 50 seconds to grab first place and $500.
Only the pro men, led by Australian pro Bryn Atkinson, were her better.
Atkinson, a 27-year-old Canberra native, topped a 93-man field with a time of 2:34.39, a little more than a half-second better than second-place rider Justin Leov of New Zealand (2:35.20).
Issaquah’s Luke Strobel was the top American, finishing third in 2:36.48.
“A lot of these guys race on the World Cup,” said Atkinson, who rides for Transition Racing, “so it’s good to be able to put two solid runs together and come out on top.”
Atkinson took down a number of heavy hitters to earn the $1,000 winner’s purse.
Among them were reigning U.S. champion Aaron Gwin and former world champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa.
Minnaar, now a rider for Santa Cruz Syndicate out of California, came away impressed after his 11th-place finish.
“It was awesome,” Minnaar said. “It’s really good up here. I’ve never really heard about the place, but now that I’ve been here, this is not going to be the last time we come.
“You can see there’s been a lot of work [put into this course], and it’s just been well-maintained and well-designed. You can feel it when you’re riding it.”
The pro course included numerous jumps, berms and technical sections that sent even some of the best in the world tumbling.
Whenever a rider hit a “good line,” the roars of the gathered masses could be heard clear all the way down to the finish line.
“It’s more about the people that are here [that make Dry Hill fun],” Atkinson said. “Everyone is really energetic and excited about riding bikes no matter the weather conditions.
“It’s just a good place to be.”
Atkinson had a good deal of familiarity with the course, having raced it several times before.
His girlfriend, Jill Kintner, lives across Puget Sound in Kirkland, and like him, is a racer.
Kintner just started getting into the downhill scene recently after claiming the bronze medal in women’s BMX at the Beijing Olympics.
She had to settle for third place once again Sunday.
“This is just a good spot to come and ride and race,” Atkinson said.
“The terrain here is pretty similar to the races we race throughout Europe and on the World Cup circuit, so this is a really good place to base myself.
“I’ve been coming back here for a couple of years now.”
So too have hundreds of amateur riders from around the West Coast.
A total of 385 racers participated in this weekend’s races, with a little less expected to come out for the last two races in June and July.
“It was amazing,” event organizer Scott Tucker said. “It’s a festival.”
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Matt Schubert is a sports writer and outdoors columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. He can be reached at 360-417-3526 or matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
