As the fall colors pop in New England, it’s time for Intense DH Series racers to make one final trek to Killington, Vermont. Bikes and bodies are exhausted this time of year, but there’s plenty of time for rest after our last race against the clock this season. With 125% points on the line, results at Finals can really shake up the overall points battle. The Killington trail crew freshened up the tried and true Goat Skull course for us and it was running mint, with tight racing and plenty of loose moments throughout the weekend. Keep scrolling to see who took home the coveted Maxxis ESC Championship jerseys.
The best bike park laps of the year are worth the chilly lift ride. Temps would hang in the 40’s most of the weekend, with a few glorious hours of sunshine in the 50’s.
Tacky fall dirt, gotta love it.
But there’s still plenty of sharp rocks out there waiting to slice tires.
Canadian Theo Bedard getting loose in practice.
Unofficial whip off winner Toren Gleiman.
it’s like the last weekend of summer camp, bittersweet indeed.
2023 hardware going home with the top three from each class.
The final Intense DH run of the season, time to lock in.
Goat Skull is home to big compressions that can make or break your ability to carry speed. Henry Davis gaps into the first woods section on his way to the Expert 19-29 win.
Robert Gobel secured his third win of the season, which was enough to grab the Amateur 30-39 men’s class title.
Second win of the year for Kate’s Kids class racer Joey Pimentel on his home track.
It’s been a banner year for Nick Frazier and he was on fire again this weekend, winning the race and the overall for the GT 16U Boys. Nick racked up an impressive fifteen wins between both Maxxis ESC series in 2023, what an animal!
Eyes on the prize, hands off the brakes for Ella McAndrew, who finished fourth in the Pro women’s class.
First crack at the Pro boys for Max Abrams and he managed P6, just five seconds off the win. Exciting things to come in USDH with all these fast young rippers.
Rex Davis opts for the early bridge exit to carry more speed and it paid off, he took his first 18U Expert class win by 1.21s.
Mary Jane Kissinger enjoys the view on the way to her first GT 18U Girls class win.
Parker Downing ends the season on a high note with his third 16U Expert win in a row.
Colten Hubbard pinballs off rocks through the final woods section, he would round out the top five for his best Pro result to date.
It’s been another successful year for Pro rider Maxine Bergeron, third on race day and second in the series.
Kale Cushman came home from the World Cup with a fresh bike compliments of Wyn Masters’ Privateer Project. She was able to put it on the podium in P2, just over three seconds off the win.
Mazie Hayden got it done at her home mountain, laying down a 3:16 to take the win and the overall by thirty points.
Pro Women: 4th – Ella McAndrew, 2nd – Kale Cushman, 1st – Mazie Hayden, 3rd – Maxine Bergeron, 5th – Sarah Hamlin
The top three Pro Men were all within the same 1.5s. Always a podium threat, Patrick Paré-Martin would end up P3 in the race and the season.
Dylan Conte held on for second place, which was more than enough to take the Pro men’s class overall title over long time friend Steve Estabrook.
Matto on a mission. We haven’t seen much of Matt Driscoll this season but he showed up to win this weekend, putting down the fastest qualifying time Saturday then backing it up with a 2:46 on race day.
Pro Men: 4th – Titus Nicholson, 2nd – Dylan Conte, 1st – Matt Driscoll, 3rd – Patrick Paré-Martin, 5th – Colten Hubbard
A special gift for Eli Hickey, who entered every DH race we hosted this season.
The annual banner toss while series results are calculated.
Our overall series podium finishers.
Cheers to your 2023 Maxxis ESC Intense DH Champions from each class.
Pro Women Series Overall: 4th – Lenci Bogdan, 2nd – Maxine Bergeron, 1st – Mazie Hayden, 3rd – Kale Cushman
Pro Men Series Overall: 4th – Cooper Pleva, 2nd – Steve Estabrook, 1st – Dylan Conte, 3rd – Patrick Paré-Martin, 5th – Sean Suprenant
We do it all here at the ESC; races, awards, birthday parties, engagements. Congrats Clair & Dylan!
That’s a wrap from Killington! Thank you to everyone who came out and made the season so memorable. If you haven’t had enough racing, you’ve got one more chance to get between the tape at Thunder Mountain Stan’s Enduro Finals on October 29th. Enjoy the bike park laps, we’ll see you in the spring!
Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Seth Merritt
Full Results
Series Results
Race Recap Podcast
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