RELEASE DATE: (6/8/11)
SOURCE: TRANSITION BIKES
Transition Factory Racing: Multiple event update
Plattekill NY-
As many of you know during the Plattekill PRO GRT practice session on Saturday, Bryn Atkinson crashed while riding with the rest of the Transition Racing team and suffered serious injuries. He was lifeflighted from the venue to Albany Medical Center where emergency surgery was performed to repair a broken distal portion of the right Femur, and a broken Ulna in the right elbow. The Team immediately departed the event to follow Bryn to the hospital. Upon arriving they were able to catch Bryn before undergoing surgery. He was in stable condition, but in a great deal of pain. The surgery was successful, and Jill remained at the Hospital to be with him, while Lars and TR expansion team Pro Charlie Sponsel returned to Plattekill to race on Sunday.
Photo credit: Matt Delorme
Lars was able to Salvage a 10th place result which was a small victory in itself. He says "Having been with Bryn during the crash and seeing the aftermath I was pretty shaken up. Thankful to have made it down the hill safely."
A huge thanks from Transition Racing to the staff at Plattekill mtn. for all the support getting Bryn transported to the bird. And all of our racing friends and sponsors at the event who helped us and showed a great deal of support throughout the duration of the trip.
Bryn remained in the hospital for the next 13 days. He was finally cleared to fly home on Thursday the 2nd of June. Jills Mum flew out on the Wed following his injury to take over support, so the team could carry on to the US Open. Thank you Jan!
Vernon NJ-
The team arrived in NJ, and with a few days of decompression were ready to rip. Jill opted not to practice Dh until Saturday when she felt fully ready. Jill and Lars qualified on the giant Slalom course Friday evening. Jill quali'd 1st, and Lars in 4th and were having a blast.
On Saturday the team set out for their qualifying runs, aming to get down the hill with a good time and tires still inflated. Flat tires are always a concern at the US Open being one of the rockiest courses and one of the only events in the states where you have to qualify 50th in men, and 20th in women or better to make it to finals. Jill qualified 1st again, and Lars in 26th.
Saturday evening were the GS finals which consisted of a best of two runs format. Jill set the lead time in both runs and took the decisive Win. Lars was unable to best his qualification position again finishing 4th in the finals.
Photo credit: Matt Delorme
Sunday DH finals- Jill came down first and was immediately crowned the US Open 2011 champion. She had her work set out for her recovering from a long week of standing vigil with Bryn. Next off was Lars, who ended up putting a foot down in the 2nd corner of the course and managed to break his left Fibula and tear ligaments in the ankle. He was taken to Morristown Medical center where surgery was performed to repair the damage. He was released on June 2nd and flew home.
Not enough can be said about Jill Kintner who remained solid as a rock during this time of stress. Jill made the decision to carry the TR torch and carry on to Ft. Bill for the WC round # 2 the following weeend. Which coincidently was to be Jill's World Cup DH debut. Now only flanked by her personal coach Scott Sharples and TR world Cup mechanic Jason Marsh.
You can read more about the story here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Transition-Bikes-Team-east-coast-update-2011.html
Ft. William Scotland in Jills words:
Practice - "First day of practice under sunny skies. The track here is a lot of fun, I was really enjoying the speed up top. Throw in some pedaling and we got ourselves one exhausting, rough as guts race track. Took awhile to learn where to go, still sort of getting it down, but yeah, it is only the first day. The new wooded bit has got some issues with drainage and roots, so I think some changes were being made. The approach to that road gap is terrible. It’s not a difficult jump, just uphill and boggy coming in. Bottom is flatter and lots of sprinting. dunno. It’s gonna be brutal to piece together with max effort.
Qualifying- "First full run completed on the course!!! I am loving this track. Had the fastest top split in my run today, which is a small victory. It’s pretty much a rougher looser slalom, and the first minute is kind of my specialty, the other 4 min are what I have trained so hard for!!! Stoked. Got a little balled up in the middle, had to make a quick pass on the rider in front of me coming into the woods, but the 5 faster seeded girls in front of me pulled quite a few seconds there in the middle. 6th is pretty good though. Should be clear tomorrow.
Cool for Gwin to have such a ripper of a run. Think a lot of dudes were surprised how much faster he went than the guys that have won here in the past. Heard a lot of other stories about people flipping over the bars in the swamp section of woods. A big hole formed and sucked in a lot of front wheels, I pulled a one footer in there, garbage. Stoked for Luke Strobel, 10th today and gaining, keeping in real for NW…
It’s been so helpful to have my coach Scotty Sharples here for support, as well as marshy tuning the ol bike.
Miss bryn though:( He would have put the stomp on these guys today. He and Mom finally got on a plane and made it back home to Seattle!!!"
Finals- "I finished 6th today in World Cup Downhill!!
Pretty good, had an awesome time riding and just being here. Didn’t feel too nervous, was just trying to put together something worthy. It’s nice to have goals to strive for again, Downhill is a wild beast full of close calls, speed, skill, fitness, loose moments, etc. Wish there were never any mistakes, but it happens to everyone.
These WC girls ride so well, the pace will keep on challenging me. Tracy Mosley, today’s winner, has raced here since 1997 and won this course 5 times!!! SO she knows what the pace is, but it was still close between her and Rachel Atherton. Sabrina is usually a dominator, but looked a bit off. Pugin was solid as was pom pom.
My run was pretty dialled except for the bit in the woods, it was kindo of a 50/50 section. got it good every other time it seemed. slipped coming into both root bits and stalled out, foot out unclipped for days scootering along trying to get over it and the next uphill bit into the road gap was not stunning either, other than that, put in a good effort. Learning a ton as I go. Just the connecting pedals 1-2 outta berms with power, and linking sections together need some more attention. Maybe some lines too, but this track was pretty straight forward. Got my flow on, and has so much fun!!, so I’m really happy with the weekend!!:) 11 times down the course total.
America is getting back up there in the ranks. Gwin is doing his job, but had an unfortunate crash near the end. Still finished 5th. Brooke McDonald smashed out a ripper of a run for 3rd, and Danny DH hart was amazing. Such a drifter and loose unit. He is running near his potential, bit tidier and he’ll have one of these.
Exciting stuff. Always a huge turnout of fans here. Bus loads pooling in all day!! dirtmag, vital, pinkbike, have the goods.
Flight in the AM to Munich- next week a different beast to tame in Leogang, Austria…Big thanks to Transition, Red BUll, our co-sponsors, Bryn, my Coach Scott sharples, and marshy for wrenching. c ya."
WOMEN
1. T-MO
2. Rachel Atherton
3. Pugin
4. Pom Pom
5. Sabrina Jonnier
6. Jill
7. Ragot
MENS DH
1. Minnaar
2. Danny Hart
3. Brook McDonald
4. Gee
5. Gwin
6. Cam Cole
7. Blenkinsop
Jill is Now in Leogand Austira attending the WC round # 3. Afterwards she will return home to prepare for the next World Cups. Bryn and Lars are remaining at home to heal and recover properly. Keep up to date on all things team related at www.transitionbikes.com
