Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup Intense DH #2 – Mountain Creek

For the first time since 2021, we’re finally back in Jersey. Round two of the Intense DH Series brought together the Northeast’s fastest, all hungry to lay down the speed and battle it out at one of the region’s most iconic venues. As always, the MCBP trail crüe delivered the goods, stringing together a wild mix of terrain that kept everyone on their toes. The track was a true test of skill and nerve, blending classic sections like the old US Open rock garden with fresh features that kept things unpredictable. This wicked combo showcased all that Creek has to offer and put racers bike skills to the test. Only the most well-rounded riders found their way to the podium come Sunday afternoon.

Maybe it’s the Jocko Fuel or the fact that we haven’t raced here in four years, but everyone was extra fired up for this one.

It’s good to be back in Jersey.

The Creek locals always come out to spectate some loose moments on race day.

Mountain Creek has been hosting races for many years and really knows what the people want, mixing in gnarly rock gardens with whoop sections to keep things fresh.

If there’s one thing you’ll need to know how to ride here, it’s rocks; the place is loaded with them. Short cranks might be a good idea.

Everyone was eyeing this section up during practice, some learning the hard way not to touch the brakes on that first rock slab.

We used to try to make our bikes lighter, now it’s quite the opposite for some racers.

Showers rolled through much of Saturday, which helped keep the dust down, and while there were some slick sections during practice, everything had dried out significantly by race time.

When the Cabriolet lift had some issues Sunday morning George Ryan and the MCBP crew ran shuttles to the top so everyone could get their race run in. Thanks for making it happen, guys!

12U racer Logan Kova, eyes on the clock.

Joey Pimental out of the gate and gaining speed as he fights for his first 14U win of the season at a sizeable margin of 11s.

This course gets rowdy ten feet into the first woods section, Grady Payson opts for the triple, and it paid off as he secured his first Expert 18U win by 1.49s.

Sitota Larocque kept it calm, cool and collected in the rocks on the way to her first Expert women’s class win of the season.

Tim Collins stays upright through the old US Open rock garden; he would lock down the Amateur 40+ W by a commanding margin of 23 seconds.

50+ Masters winner Tim Pierce shows the spectators how it’s done.

Just like his dad, Hudson Nagy isn’t afraid to point it downhill. He would finish second behind his buddy Chase Ulmer in the 8U Brat class.

Somehow, Alex Da Silva rode this out.

Racers got a quick breather on the mid-track motorway, after you drop into this bridge, it’s flat out for the rest of the track.

Vladyslav Herashchenko points it out through the whoops. He’s off to a fantastic start this season, earning his second Amateur 19-29 win in a row.

Expert 30-39 class winner Mario Cornejo figured it’s faster to just skip the rough stuff.

Theo Bedard launches himself out of the final woods section and captures the Expert 16U win at his first Maxxis ESC race of the season.

Andrew Driscoll’s back is feeling good after a couple of injuries, P5 this weekend with plenty of speed to build on.

Jonah Tibbals tucks into the ski trail straightaway on his way to second place in the Expert 18U class.

Cooper Pleva tweaked a finger pretty good in morning practice, but he taped it and hung on for sixth place in the Pro men’s class. Quick rest for the hands before hitting the final corner.

First year Pro Mary Jane Kissinger rounded out the Pro women’s class top three, who were all within six seconds of each other.

Kale Cushman improved one spot from Round 1 and flew into second place for the Pro Women, 3.5s off the win.

Abby Ronca is right back up to speed after an off-season collarbone injury; she kept it tidy on race day and found herself on the top step with a 2:58.

Pro Women: 2nd – Kale Cushman, 1st – Abby Ronca, 3rd – Mary Jane Kissinger

Local boy Colten Hubbard knows these trails well. He put down a heater on race day and landed in third place, his best Maxxis ESC Pro result to date.

Dylan Conte was on fire at the bottom of the track, he had the fastest third split but ended the weekend in second place. He currently leads the overall after two rounds of racing.

First race back for Austin Dooley after a hip injury this spring but he’s on the gas already, taking the Pro Men’s win by three seconds with a final race time of 2:25.

Pro Men: 4th – Collin Bourque, 2nd – Dylan Conte, 1st – Austin Dooley, 3rd – Colten Hubbard, 5th – Andrew Driscoll

Signing off from the Garden State but we’re right back at it this coming weekend in the Berkshires for our first Thule Showdown of the season. Come shred the steeps of Jiminy Peak with us, race both the Stan’s Enduro and Intense DH for a shot at prizes from Thule and the rest of our sponsors. See you there!

Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Seth Merritt

Full Results
Easternstatescup.com

2025 MAXXIS ESC SCHEDULE

INTENSE CYCLES DOWNHILL SERIES
May 4 Powder Ridge, CT
June 15 Mountain Creek, NJ
June 22 Jiminy Peak, MA
July 13 Mount Snow, VT
July 20 Killington, VT
Aug 10 Thunder Mountain, MA
Sept 14 Blue Mountain, PA
Sept 21 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 26 Jiminy Peak, MA Finals

STAN’S ENDURO SERIES
May 18 Powder Ridge, CT
June 1 Arrowhead, NH
June 22 Jiminy Peak, MA
July 20 Killington, VT
July 27 Monteau, NH
Aug 10 Thunder Mountain, MA
Aug 24 Burke, VT
Sept 21 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 12 Arrowhead, NH Finals

THULE SHOWDOWN SERIES
June 22 Jiminy Peak, MA
July 20 Killington, VT
Aug 10 Thunder Mountain, MA
Sept 21 Powder Ridge, CT

CANNONDALE EBIKE SERIES
May 18 Powder Ridge, CT
June 1 Arrowhead, NH
July 27 Monteau, NH
Aug 10 Thunder Mountain, MA
Sept 21 Powder Ridge, CT
Oct 12 Arrowhead, NH