Race Report: Great Salt Lake Nationals, South Jordan, UT July 2-4, 2010
The Great Salt Lake Nationals were held at Rad Canyon BMX track outside of Salt Lake City this past weekend. McKenna's route to race this national was a little different from races in the past. Instead of travelling directly there to race Friday night's pre-race, McKenna made her way to Sol Vista Bike Park in Granby, CO (outside of Denver). There she met up with current Downhill World Champion and mountain bike legend, Steve Peat, to do some downhilling. The day was spent doing runs down Moga's Mile and trying to give some pointers to Steve about looking way down the trail and keeping his speed up.
All good things must come to an end. Steve had to be off to catch a flight, and McKenna had a long drive ahead of her to South Jordan, UT. The race rig was loaded up and we headed out of Granby toward Salt Lake by way of Wyoming.
Saturday morning found us at Rad Canyon BMX in South Jordan, UT. The day was sunny and warm, with a moderate wind blowing. The track was awesome, with a steepish concrete start hill, and giant asphalt turns. McKenna started practicing and got comfortable with the track. She transferred to her main in the second round, and managed a 4th place in the main.
Sunday morning came early, and with no practice, McKenna started day two of the Great Salt Lake National. This day mimicked day one, as she transferred in the second round. The gate dropped in the main, and it was looking like the third spot was hers, until being passed in the last straight, and finishing fourth.
McKenna accomplished her primary goal of making her mains both days, and all the traveling surely took its toll on her overall speed and energy. She was satisfied with her results for this weekends work, especially how she rode downhill in Colorado. At the national, McKenna got to meet Mitch Ropelato, the current Four Cross and Jr. Downhill National Champion. He was flying on the track, round after round, and it was a real treat for McKenna to get to watch him. Is he this years future Jr. Downhill World Champ?
McKenna's PR and Marketing Dept. would like to apologize about the lack of race reports lately and we hope you enjoyed this latest installment. McKenna would like to thank Steve Peat for riding with her and wish him luck at his National Championships next weekend. She would also like to thank the staff and crew at Sol Vista Bike Park. Matt and the rest of the guys there do an amazing job. She wants to wish Mitch good luck next weekend at the US National Championships, and at Worlds at the end of the year. Lastly, huge thanks to everyone at Rad Canyon BMX for such an class event.