Friday, May 30, 2003 - Sunday, June 1, 2003 -- Huttonsville, WV
Bikestock - WVMBA Pts. #9 (iPO Event Id#: 5324)
Story and photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6]
Past Coverage: [2001 Results] [2002 Coverage]

There was no slowing down Jeremiah Bishop

It looked like maybe the rain would hold off for Saturday's XC main event, but then came the thunder. The race started without the rain, but by mid-race the first downpour began, complete with lightening. Just another wet and muddy day on the 2003 WVMBA circuit.

It marked the second event of the season with both Jeremiah Bishop and Nick Waite in attendance. They had spent the week training together, but when it came to racing, Bishop showed the younger Waite that he's still the man to beat.

The duo quickly set a pace off the front that had the rest of the expert field battling for third. Taking up that third spot was Clay Evans, and not too far behind it was Jonathan Martin and Joey Riddle battling to keep it close.

Getting a face full at Bikestock

During the second lap, Bishop began to pull away from Waite. Behind them it was Evans looking solid in third with Martin and Riddle continuing to push each other in a struggle for fourth.

As they headed off for lap number three, that was about the time the sky opened up and the thunder and lightening show began. The mud and muck did little to slow Bishop as he hammered through the final lap to record the win. Although Waite had lost sight of his adversary, he quite comfortably rolled in for second.

In the race for third, a painful crash on the final downhill proved costly for Evans. With Martin chasing Riddle toward the finish, both overtook the wounded Evans in the closing moments of the race. He would still finish the race in fifth, but Riddle would grab third followed by Martin in fourth.

Whatever the weather, it's a beautiful venue

There was more bad luck for the WV MTB Team as a flat and damaged tire put Mandi Riddle in a big hole on the opening lap for the expert women's race. Cassie Smith wasted little time in taking advantage and went on to record a solid win. The victory was enough to move Smith ahead of Riddle for first in the points standings, 137 to 136.

Many more muddied warriors would make their way to the finish as the rain continued. But there was no way the weather was going to stop the party they call Bikestock! It was time to get under the shelter, grab a hot meal, enjoy the live music, and get ready for the rest of the weekend's racing. The folks at Elk Mountain Outfitter sure now how to put on a really good show!