Sol Vista Bike Park at Grandby Ranch, CO hosted the 2010 US Mountain Bike National Championships. Thanks to the bike park crew the tracks seemed taylor built for the team. The downhill was loaded with technical jumps and large berms and the 4X was loose with plenty of line variations to keep racing interesting. After seeing the tracks we were all excited for the weekend to come.

4X was held on Saturday night under the lights. Unfortunately a crash in qualifying would end JD’s hopes of a 4X title, but he came up to help the rest of the team and film the action. A bad gate start in the first round would end the night for Ryan, who fought from the back out of the first corner and was only a wheel away from advancing to the next round. Griz made it through to the second round and came out of the gate in 3rd with his eyes set on making a move on Ross Milan. A bold maneuver into the second corner and a pass that didn’t stick blew Griz’s rear tire off the bead and sent him to the ground. When he reappeared he lifted his Tazer FS over his head and flexed a bicep and the crowd showed their love with roaring cheers. Brad was last out of the gate every round cutting across from the back to the inside and riding clear past into the  small finals. Rubbing elbows with Brian Buell left Brad picking his bike up and riding in for a 7th place finish.

On Sunday morning we made our way to the track aware that the Downhill national title was still on the line. The track was getting fast, but was showing a lot of wear from the high traffic during the previous week. Ryan qualified into 21st, Griz into 19th, JD had a crash leaving in the back of the pack, and Brad cruised to 50th. During the intermission before finals the weather began to turn for the worst as winds picked up and dark clouds accumulated.

JD was 4th of the top of the mountain in finals. He caught his 30 second man and made a pass while entering view of the finish area. Despite sucking dust he still ran a 2:27.11. JD commented on his run, “ After riding like a hot head in qualifying, I decided to do the opposite and ride like a squid with my fat little fingers too heavy on the brakes.” JD’s run was good enough for a 9th but not good enough for him.

Brad coming off a hot result the night before was eager to put one down on Sunday as well. Taking a conservative qualifier, he was ready for finals and excited to take a run at pace, but as the afternoon progressed the wind really began to pick up. Brad said, “My race run was smooth and clean, but it lacked the edge it takes to win a National Championship.” Brad ran a time of 2:36.71 and finished 34th.

Qualifying just outside of the top 20 on a smooth run, Ryan was sitting in the gate as the rain drops began to hit the lenses of his goggles. Despite his efforts early on the course a mid mountain flat tire would end his hopes of a National Champs podium finish. After the race Ryan said, “I was on a good one and the spot I flatted was very unusual, but when you’re riding at the pace you have to at a race like this only so much can be predicted.” Disappointed in his result, but still happy to be out racing and up in the mountains.

With Griz still to come, all of the other members eyes were fixed on the track. The wind was swirling around like a tornado and the rain drops a little heavier. When Griz’s bike emerged from the trees being rolled by Stikman we all knew something had gone terribly wrong. He had a huge over the bars crash on the last long double of the course that would lead to a life flight to Denver’s St. Anthony’s hospital. We were all very excited to learn that he sustained no damage to his brain or spine, but he did shatter a collar bone, explode both hip sockets leaving his right hip dislocated, and manage multiple fractures of the pelvis. All of our thoughts are going out to our fallen brother and are wishing him a quick and complete recovery. Check back for updates to stay posted on his status.

The Team is now in Denver and will be hanging out with Griz during his surgeries and until he is able to return back to San Diego. Our next event will be at Winter Park for the Colorado Crank Worx and Pro GRT.

Team ODI X-Fusion 2010 U.S. National Championships from J.D. Swanguen on Vimeo.