We’re back in the Granite State for our fifth Stan’s Enduro of the season and our annual Outbound Lightning night race under the lights. Since we started racing here two years ago, Claremont’s Arrowhead Recreation Area has become a favorite amongst the community for its steep terrain and loamy corners. For this year’s Night Enduro, we decided to flip the script and start the first three stages Saturday night, followed by three more Sunday morning. After six grueling stages, two days of racing and nearly 3,000′ of climbing, we had first time winners in both of our Pro classes. Keep scrolling to see what you missed out on!
On the menu this weekend: wet roots, steep rock slabs and Arrowhead’s specialty, all you can eat loam.
The roughly 500′ vertical transfer is steep in spots but the fun provided on the way down is well worth it.
ESC Officials are always riding around during practice, looking for cheater lines to tape. Please always follow the intended course and send it like Steve!
Shout out to Outbound Lighting for having rentals available on site, we promise you’ll be a whole lot faster at night with the proper lights.
As the sun sets over Ascutney, racers get their chips activated and head out for three night stages.
The local spectators showed up to cheer on racers with music and lights, setting the vibe for a proper party in the woods.
Second place Kate’s Kids 12U class finisher Callum Waldman opted for the Outbound Lighting double light setup, making it look like broad daylight out there.
Sam Sillay flies back into the base area. He would have a consistent weekend, earning fourth place for the Pro Men and his best Stan’s Enduro result yet.
Light speed through the ferns.
You survived, grab an ice cream or a beer and exchange stories about how many times you almost crashed.
We won’t be needing these for the final three stages on Sunday.
Goodnight, Arrowhead. Time for a few hours of sleep so you can hit 7am practice.
The Kate’s Kids 12U class were the first on course Sunday morning. Cedric Arthur pushes through the vegetation at the bottom of Stage 5, he would go P1 with five stage wins.
Racers would get two cracks at the same trail for Stages 1 and 4, one at night and another during the day. Jac Dahrouge was on the gas all weekend, only going three seconds faster during the day, earning his first U20 class win.
Kyle Hamel opts for the outside line through a maze of slick roots. He would top the 21-29 Men for the first time with five stage wins on his home turf.
Let it roll or you’re likely to end up sideways.
You’ve probably heard Rob Walker on the Dirt Church race recap podcasts but have you ever seen him hold the inside line on a sweaty off camber rock? 40-49 men’s class winner for a reason.
Zeke Neubauer drops into the top of Stage 5, he would round out the Pro men’s top five.
The moss is lava. Lucas Sourbeer follows the narrow granite path on his way to the 16U GT Boys win.
Parker Downing drops into the sixth and final stage of the weekend. He decided to give the ebike a go this weekend and dominated, besting the Motorex Ebike class by nearly a minute.
It’s going to take more than some giant, slippery rock slabs to slow down GT 18U Girls class winner Tillie Lange.
Tucker Nugent built his own steel frame and put it on top of the 30-39 men’s class box, what a boss.
We saved the steepest parts of the course for the bottom of Stage 6. Matthew Keegan keeps it moving toward the finish line on his way to second place for the 16U GT Boys.
Kelly Dube figured she might as well win some money if she’s going to race, so she decided to compete with the Pro Women and took home third place.
We’re used to seeing Maxine Bergeron on the Intense DH podium but she’s no slouch on the pedals either, earning second place with a stage win.
Despite some loose moments out there Avery Ellis was able to put together five stage wins to take her first Pro win by a margin of 30 seconds.
Pro Women: 2nd – Maxine Bergeron, 1st – Avery Ellis, 3rd – Kelly Dube
P3 for Sandy Gray Roberge, his best Pro result to to date.
Luke Mello continues to move closer to that top step. He would make a serious push, winning the final two stages, but coming up short by just 3.49s.
Adrian Hayden lead the Pro Men going in to the final three stages. He would continue his consistency into Sunday, earning his first Pro men’s class W with four stage wins and a total race time of 10:55.
Pro Men: 4th – Sam Sillay, 2nd – Luke Mello, 1st – Adrian Hayden, 3rd – Sandy Gray Roberge, 5th – Zeke Neubauer
So long, Arrowhead. It’s been a pleasure as always, if you missed out this time be sure to join us back here in September. Otherwise, we’ll see you all at Sugarbush July 23rd for another Oakley Showdown weekend.
Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Seth Merritt
Full Results
Race Recap Podcast
Easternstatescup.com
2023 MAXXIS ESC PRESENTED BY KATE’S REAL FOOD SCHEDULE
INTENSE CYCLES DOWNHILL SERIES
April 30 Powder Ridge, CT
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
July 30 Mount Snow, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 8 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 15 Killington, VT Series Finals
STAN’S ENDURO SERIES
May 21 Powder Ridge, CT
June 4 Glen Park, PA
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 8 Arrowhead, NH – Outbound Night Enduro
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
Aug 6 Burke, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 10 Arrowhead, NH
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 1 Woodstock, VT
Oct 29 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals
OAKLEY SHOWDOWN SERIES
June 18 Jiminy Peak, MA
June 25 Killington, VT
July 23 Sugarbush, VT
Aug 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Aug 27 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals
MOTOREX EBIKE ENDURO SERIES
May 21 Powder Ridge, CT
June 4 Glen Park, PA
July 8 Arrowhead, NH – Outbound Night Enduro
August 20 Sugarloaf, ME
Sept 10 Arrowhead, NH
Sept 17 Thunder Mountain, MA
Oct 1 Woodstock, VT
Oct 29 Thunder Mountain, MA Series Finals
