The Moab Red Devil Mountain Bike Club were able to compete in four race series and bring home a state championship in the first year of high school sanctioned mountain biking in Utah.
The team travelled to Round Valley in Park City for their first race Sept. 8. It was the biggest NICA launch in the country with well over 250 racers.
Preston Bagley took first in the Division 2 freshman race. Jamie Marshall and Tyren Flanders both placed well highly competitive and sizeable Division 2 sophomore race.
The second race on Sept. 22 took the Red Devils to Sherwood Hills near Logan.
This challenging course proved to be an advantage for the Red Devils.
Marshall dramatically improved his previous placing, cruising comfortably into 13th.
Flanders climbed up the ladder to 18th place. Both are in the very competitive Division 2 sophomore class. Bagley solidified his points lead in Division 2 freshmen by dominating and winning his race.
The team traveled to Lambert Park near Alpine for their third race on Oct. 6.
Under crisp blue skies and more technically demanding race course, Bagley once again took a powerful, convincing win. His win propped up his lead in the point’s standings for the Division 2 freshman. Marshall had a great race, breaking through the top 10 to finish in 7th place. His performance pulled him up to 11th in the points for Division 2 sophomore class.
Soldiers Hollow near Midway was the scene for the Oct. 20, NICA State Championship Race.
Both overall race series titles and State Championship titles were on the line. The Moab Red Devils lined up for their final race of the season on this super-fast and open course. Bagley found himself in a tight race for the freshman Division 2 State Championship title. He was able to overcome a wrong turn and bring the title home to Moab.
His first place finish also brought him the overall NICA race series title for the Division 2 freshman.
Newcomer, Sam Hansen, finished 6th in Division 2 freshman, a great finish against seasoned racers. Jamie Marshall had a fast race on the blustery course, finishing 9th in Division 2 sophomore. His performance secured him a top 10 finish in the points running for his class.
Coach Christa Green had the vision, organization and perseverance to bring high school mountain bike racing to Moab.
“The team would also like to thank Mike Smith and Melissa Nerone for their hard work every week on trail, and Dave Bagley for being there on race day tuning up the team’s bikes,” Green said. “The Red Devils would also like to shout out to all the folks that gave the team a helping hand throughout the season.”
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