"X Gon Give it To Ya"

Check out athlete John Hauer in the X-Fusion video "X Gon Give it To Ya"

Part 1


Part 2

2011 Sea Otter Classic!

The Sea Otter Classic wrapped up last week and Point One Racing athletes had some outstanding results in the downhill! Check out those who made the top 10!

Curtis Keene - 2:18.3 (8th place Pro Men)
Brad Benedict - 2:20.7
Mikey Sylvestri - 2:21.7
Evan Turpen - 2:24.4
Ian Massey - 2:25.1
John Hauer - 2:25.9
Peter Lucas - 2:26.2 (1st place Cat 1 19-24)
Alex Amaral - 2:27.1 (3rd place Cat 1 19-24)
Ben Vickery - 2:29.3 (2nd place Cat 1 25-29)
Christian Wright - 2:29.5
Allen Stoddard - 2:29.6
Jimmy Amaral - 2:33.4 (5th place Cat 1 25-29)
Patrick Tidd - 2:38.1 (10th place Cat 1 40-49)
Nick Simpson - 2:40.7
Josh Maurer - 2:51.7 (missed time on start due to mechanical)
Tim Lukko - 3:00.7

Here are just a handful of photos of our fellow racers and friends:

Evan Turpen


Tim Lukko


Allen Stoddard


Nick Simpson


Josh Maurer


Jimmy Amaral


Ian Massey


John Hauer


Christian Wright


Brad Benedict


Ben Vickery


Alex Amaral


Special thanks to Rick Rasmussen for the photos!

Brad Benedict bike check

Sub 33 pound Specialized Demo 8 complete with Podium Pedals!

Curtis Keene bike check

Curtis Keene prototype Demo 8 complete with Podium Pedals.Check it out here!

Sea Otter Classic Pro XCT - Max Houtzager

Sea Otter 4 years ago was my first race ever (Sport 14 and under Downhill). I’ve been every year since to compete in downhill and once in slalom, but never made the podium. Really focusing on XC this year and a little burned on the ‘reworked’ pedal fest dh course, I decided to just do the XC for the first time at my 5th Sea Otter. I was stoked Juniors only had to do one lap, making it so I’d never experience the even harder near marathon xc version of the race! I also couldn’t wait to spend another amazing couple days living, eating, and riding with the Whole Athlete Specialized Team at a sweet house in Pacific Grove.

Pro XCT #3 Sea Otter Classic
Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
Cat 1 17-18 (28 plus 13 Cat 1 15-16's)

Teammates: Keegan Swenson, Tony Smith, Lucas Newcomb, Johnathan Kaufman, Bobby Zidek, Eliel Antilla, Sven Beer and Taylor Smith

Result: 3rd
Food Consumed Here!

I knew this race would be tough. Either from the 2nd most stacked junior field besides nationals (just missing 1 or 2 fast CO kids), or the 20 mi/ 3700 feet of climbing with no lack of steep loose fireroad pitches. We began on a half lap of the Laguna Seca Race Track roady style, mountain bikers in a peloton, no one wanting to pull. The first person to go down due to sketchy half attacks and maneuvers was right next to me. With my lack of road experience I just followed Keegan as best I could trusting that'd put me in a good position once off the track.

I was stoked as Keegan, one other and I led on the dirt. I thought the brutal pace couldn't last long but it did, and as I couldn't hold on and needed to keep it together I gave up a few positions, while Keegan did the opposite and proceeded with his usual alien-pace ahead of the field on the steep climbs ahead. I again didn't want my Fontana start, so I sacrificed riding 110% on the steep slippery climbs for a few positions, putting me somewhere around 8th. I really wanted to get on the box with my teammates again and knew I could, but at this point had no idea it would happen in the end. My bad position only proved annoying once on the first 'mildly entertaining singletrack' as the rider who ironically was slowing Taylor and I down previously referred to it. I got around him once there was room as it started climbing and tore myself apart to catch the next group. I never had it easy during the seemingly long, hot race.

Halfway through on the third steep fireroad climb (two consecutive steep pitches) I put down the most painful attack on the group of 4 (AZ Devo kids and SoCal 15-16 winner Shane) I was in, which gave me enough of a gap to pass some one-speeders ahead before the next singletrack descent. I blasted the S-turns and woops, stoked on roosting flowy sandy corners while growing my gap. Soon after tucking on the next road section, the same kids bridged up to me. Great. I barely hung on during the windy flat fireroad section back towards the venue, aware that if I got dropped I'd be done for. I managed and duked it out the entire next single track climb with them, starting to lead at the top and finally opening a gap on the final singletrack climb in the 'jungle'. But it was far from over.

I saw them on my tail for a while, and then hit the last fireroad section, discovering I was in third! Incredibly stoked, I wanted to celebrate. It was just as gratifying as ripping the singletrack descent earlier on, however I looked at my Garmin and saw over 1000 feet of climbing left. On an open fireroad with a huge cross wind. This death climb seemed to last forever and made the rest of my race a love-hate relationship, ecstatic about my place but wanting the end so badly. And afraid of getting caught by the group working together. The final singletrack into the venue felt amazing, and crossing the line seeing Keegan and Tony topped it all off.

This race was huge for me given it's my best finish in a stacked xc field yet, but what really satisfied was sweeping the podium with my teammates. Making two in a row at a Pro XCT after Fontana! Also finally podiuming at Sea Otter, after 4 years of being one place away in downhill/slalom, the first race I ever entered.



I spent all day Saturday watching the rest of the team in the Pro race, as well as cruising the pits and talking to pretty much everyone I know in the cycling world. Awesome to see so many faces and catch up for sure. I even got to meet and have a chat with Mike Sinyard of Specialized! I came home on Saturday night so that I could really get a good ride in today, and boy was it worth it. There’s nothing like a celebratory 4 hour all mountain ride on the trusty Enduro. I hit all the burliest trails and steepest climbs I know! Totally worth skipping the dh race. I wouldn’t mind doing more of these rides at all, I’d been missing all those rocks and ruts.

Jacksonville Super D - Jordan Lopez

Here is a brief recap of my time at the Jacksonville Super D Weekend in Jacksonville Oregon. Arrived in Jacksonville Friday afternoon and was able to get one run top to bottom on last seasons super d course. But, this course had an added 3 miles of track on it and I was interested on checking it out. The new section consisted of fast dissents and tough hill climbs which would have been fun in optimum conditions…but there was snow on the course and dozens of very long/deep mud puddles that completely soaked the rider and the equipment only a mile into the ride.

Race 1 The next day, after speaking with the race promoter, it was decided that the new section would not be included in this years race. So, with this good news, all of the racers went up the hill to get in more practice runs on the final course. In the race, I went off 2nd and after the brutal hill climb and false flat (these sections determined the race) I was descending fast through the fun/fast part of the course. All of a sudden and without any warning, my front tire went flat and threw me over the bars and into a berry bush thorns and all. Lucky for me the landing was soft and all I got from it was some scratches on my legs and a few bruises. I then proceeded to get up and run next to my bike for 2.5 miles through the finish line, completing the race and finishing in 4th of 7. Note: the 2 of the 3 other racers behind me also flatted but did not finish.

Race 2 After 2 practice runs down the decomposed granite/sandy “moto trail” race course we all queue’d up and were ready to race. I went down the course and felt strong on the multiple climbs but my legs felt weak on the snappy sprints and there were a couple of times where I needed to pedal and I was not. I finished the race in 5th of 8 but only 25 seconds outside of 1st (Race Run Time – 12:20) Overall – 4th In the end, I had a great weekend and I am thankful for the opportunity to race at a event where I can see where I stand on preparation for the season and what aspects of my training I need to improve on before the All-Mountain season really kicks into high gear next month Thanks again to all of my amazing sponsors, I really do appreciate all of your support and amazing products.

Pro Grt #1 - Port Angeles, WA

Pro GRT is back for 2011! Round #1 kicked off at Port Angeles, WA with sunny skies for practice, but rain during the race runs. Point One Racing's Curtis Keene nabbed an awesome 10th place qualifier. Fan favorite Christian Wright got a podium spot, big congratulations to him!

Full results


Credit: Allout Productions

10th in qualifying, 11th in the overall!


Christian Wright on his way to a podium finish.

Norcal HS Race #4 Laguna Seca Grand Prix - Max Houtzager

Norcal HS Race #4 Laguna Seca Grand Prix
Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
Varsity Boys (~40)
Teammates: Bobby Zidek, Eliel Antilla, Sven Beer and Taylor Smith
Result: 2nd

I felt pretty prepared/stress free going into the race, despite no call up or any course experience. In fact, I didn't know where the start or course location was until I finished my warm up. Didn't hurt me too much though, lining up 30 minutes early (20min before the delay) so I could get an awesome 4th row spot...

The course impressed as far as Norcal goes, but still nothing to write home about (for my taste). The physical aspect was solid: 2700 feet in 17mi (Fontana was 2700 in 14mi) total. The descent offered a well built section in the beginning; solid berms and rollers made some nice flow. The rest was just fast mildly sweeping single track and fireroad, off the brakes and go (and tuck from all the wind). None of my favorite rocks, mountains, or anything you can't ride on a CX bike. A 29er hardtail course for sure.

I started in 15th and went balls out with everyone immediately grabbing 7th into the singletrack climb and 1st descent. As Bryan Duke got 1st wheel on the decent and the group started to separate 2 places in front of me, he started his gap. Passing opportunities on the course- at least on the first half- were minimal so by the time I reached the lead group of three Bryan had 40 seconds on us, in sight, but not bridgeable unless he slowed down. After my mistakes freaking out and really going for it on lap one at Fontana, I knew I had to keep it together without blowing up in hopes of a solid 2nd. I caught Taylor and Tobin Ortenblad at the end of lap 1, and continued to battle it out with them until lap 3.5 where I opened up a small gap, which slowly grew to the finish, 1 minute behind Bryan and 1 minute ahead of Tobin. From the start, to bridging up to Taylor, to staying with Taylor (dropped me on lap 2 a few times) and then riding away, the race was hard. I foresaw a top 10, then 5, and thankfully 2nd in the end. My final lap was almost equal to my first, thanks to the vision of possibly coming back from the dead to see Bryan, but no thanks to no sight of him and my ok gap on 3rd (ended up 15 seconds faster than Bryan's last lap!).

I'm stoked on my super hard effort and solid result. Can't wait for Sea Otter and then Boggs where I may get a call up and ride some more technical yet passable courses!

March Road Trip - Christian Wright