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Long Island Hurricanes Mountain Bike Team Dominate the Weekend at Macho Man MTB Race and NICA NY -- Into the Darkness XC Races

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  18. May 2016

Long Beach, NY - May 17, 2016 - With 2 important races this weekends race calendar, Long Island Hurricanes Youth Mountain Bike Program’s elite racing team was pressed to focus either Nassau County’s only Mountian Bike Race or the Prestigious NICA NY Into the Darkness XC race in Rosendale NY.  Both races carried great importance.

The Macho Man MTB is Nassau County’s only sanctioned Mountain Bike Race, is on their home trails at Stillwell Woods which holds sentimental value.

Photo Credit: Joseph Trimble.

The NICA NY Into the Darkness XC is race# 4 in the NICA NY race series and one of the most challenging junior races in the state with a 6 mile laps of incredibly technical terrain, including drops offs, camels humps, serrated rock gardens with a little bit of mud and the cave (a section of the course that actually goes through a cave for 70 meters and ends in 40 vertical feet of climbing). 

In addition to being a great race, it supports The Macho Man Foundation  - a non profit foundation memorializing Scott Epstien who created the Macho Man character to inspire other children, teens and young adults to add kindness in their daily lives with the adoption of the Macho Creed - My Actions Can Help Others.

Photo Credit: Joseph Trimble.

After careful consideration the ‘Canes needed to decide to support their local community or defend their series positions at the NICA race  - the team decided not to choose at all — and did both races.

The sun was out after a few days of rain, as this cool Saturday warmed under the morning sun, at 8a with touch of mud, but overall fast conditions, the race went off.

Photo Credit: Joseph Trimble.

In the JUNIOR 10-13 RACE

Hurricane Riders – DJ Toback (Merrick) and Mark Eisenberg (Yaphank) place 1, 2 with finishing the 6 mile course in 30:13 and 30:59, edging out  Daniel Grassie (Oyster Bay) riding for North Shore Velo Club placing 3. Other Notable Junior finishes for the Hurricanes was Benjamin Zelenetz in 7th.

In the  High School 14-18 Race Hurricanes swept the podium, placing 1-2-3 as Stephen Verderame (Huntington), Cole Eisenberg (Yaphank) and Christian Symons (Huntington) took top honors, with Justin Wallace 4th ( Hunting ton Station). In the Cat 2 High School Race Hurricane Rider Chris Thomspon (Centerport) was on Top of the Podium in the 12 mile race.

In the 18 mile Category 1/ Pro Race Chris Trimble (Kings Park) won the High School Division and placed 20th over all against the regions best riders.

Photo Credit: Joseph Trimble.

Even The Hurricane Riders Parents rode strong with Steve  Verderame winning the 50+ category, and Scott Zelenetz placing 3rd. Hurricane Mom Debi Chin was top overall Woman with Irit Spector coming in 2nd.

Pleased with start of the weekend, the Hurricanes were not done racing and and quickly packed up and were now headed 160 miles north to New Paltz in the shadow of the Gunks on to “ RACE Into the Darkenss XC”

Despite the morning’s the race on Long Island, the hurricanes and their coaches pre-rode the course on Saturday, inspecting obstacles, trail features, including the Serrated Rock Garden, the Cave selecting specific lines and identifying hazards and potential stacks features (areas you need to get through first so you are not stacked behind other riders that could not make the climb or feature). After the pre-ride, team dinner and a good night sleep - the Hurricanes were greeted by a cool and windy race morning.

Middle School races were off first - Stephen Verderame placed 7th, with Christian Symons 11th in the 8th grade Category. 

In the 6th Grade race - Benjamin Zelenetz dropped his chain on the last climb and as he slipped from 3rd to finish 7th, while Mark Eisenberg held on for fourth place.

The surprise of the day, Hurricanes Rider DJ Toback, who missed his start due to traffic and started 1:21 seconds behind the official start worked his way through the field incredibly to finish second.

The Freshman race was very competitive with the lead changing hands several times during the race. Hurricanes Cole Eisenberg placed 6th with Chris Thomson a short distance back in 11th place.

The Sophmore Race, Hurricanes Rider Chris Trimble defended last weeks his race #3 victory and his series lead with a second place finish and still leads the series overall.

Hurricane’s next race will June 5th, 2016 at the NICA NY Scholastic Championship Race at Round Top, NY and June 11th on Long Island at Manorville. Riders interested in their program visit www.limtb.org

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