PNG Athletes dominate all 3 disciplines in the return to racing at Big Bear
Mountain bike racing has been few and far between in the last 6 months, but the Team Big Bear organization worked hard with the city of Big Bear and Snow Summit to get prepared. Not only XC time trials racing, but they were able to get Enduro and Downhill racing back in between the tape as well.
The first day of racing was on the east side of the mountain for 3 stages of a grueling single track. The conditions were tough with dry air, blown out turns and the hottest temps that 2020 has seen. The Pinnacle Nutrition Group Athletes came to do battle and after the 3 stages of racing the team absolutely dominated the competition. In the Men’s Pro class Spencer Rathkamp and Kai Aiello battled it out for the overall, with Steven Cisar a close 4th. In the Vet Pro class PNG co-founder, Mike Sleeter finished 3rd and Mike Diorio a solid 4th. Skylar Arcidiacono takes the win in the Expert Men’s class and Von Heater finished 1st in the jr boys 13-14 class.
On Sunday, the cross-country athletes hit 2N10 trail head in a time trial format that would lead riders into some of the best single-track southern California has to offer. With temperatures still in the 90’s PNG athletes were ready to do battle over 21 miles and. 2,800ft of climbing. In the Men’s pro class Tavo Pedroza came away with a 3rd place finish. John Wessling, PNG trainer and ambassador was dominant in Men’s 19-29 taking the win. Corbin Parsley won the 16 and under Cat 1 division. Mike Sleeterwas second in the 40-44 Cat 1 division, Nicholas McChesney with a 3rd and Todd Flaming winning the Clydesdale class with multiple other PNG athletes with respectable top 5 results.
The gravity crew went to the top of Snow Summit Sunday afternoon to lay it down on the Miracle Mile. In the Men’s Pro Class PNG athletes swept the podium with Austen “Bubba” Warren, Cole Suetos, and Spencer Rathkamp separated themselves from the rest of the competition, Cash Shaleenwas 1st Jr Men 11-12, and Grace Lawson 1st Jr Expert Women, Gavin Tomlinsondominted the jr 14-15 for a win, and Claire Fiene takes the win in the cat 2 Women’s 19+.
We couldn’t be more proud of all of our athletes in their return to racing. It has been a long time coming, preparing and uncertainty to when the training would pay off. If you would like to join our team, make sure you submit your application to become an ambassador by clicking here.
PNG Athletes were powered by the all new Hydration 2.0 and Refuel Gels.
Comments will be approved before showing up.