Clemson MTB Race Weekend

The WCU Cycling Team headed south this weekend for Clemson’s Tiger Territory mountain bike race. All of Saturday’s events were held at Hilltop Bike Park and Sunday’s cross country race was held at the Issaqueena section of Clemson University’s Experimental Forest.

Saturday morning started out cool and sunny, but the weekend didn’t end that way. It started raining after the downhill race and hardly eased up for the rest of the weekend. Catamounts must do alright in the rain, because the team ended up getting two first places among other solid results! Bradley Chapman grabbed the top spot in men’s downhill C before Andrew Nicholson won the men’s B short track race. Matt Fitzgerald rode to 4th place in a stacked A downhill lineup and then 2nd in short track C. Seth Parker got some points placing 20th in downhill A and 7th in short track C. Also, Taylor Pechuekonis placed 6th in downhill C.

Bradley said this was his first ever downhill race. Never would’ve guessed!

After downhill and short track, dual slalom was on the schedule. Disappointingly, the dual slalom was cancelled due to the rain. Every rider had planned on racing it, but the course was soaking wet. The team decided to head back to Cullowhee to clean up and relax.

Andrew Nicholson made the trip back down for the cross country race Sunday at Issaqueena Forest and placed 7th in the B class.

Despite the rain, the whole team rode great and is looking forward to the rest of the races this fall! Check out our new logo below, that will be featured on future jersey designs!