Race Report: 2025 Crusher Cup (XC MTB) Race #2 - Men’s Cat 2/Sport
Race: Crusher Cup (XC MTB) Race #2 Men’s Cat 2/Sport Age 35-44
Date: June 8, 2025
AVRT racers: Michael Matthews
Top Result: Men’s Cat 2/Sport Age 35-49 1st/11 (Men’s Cat 2/Sport Overall 8th/47)
Course: 6.4 mile lap completed 2 times for Cat 2. ~1200 ft of climbing per lap. Much more technical course than race #1 in the series! Loose dry corners, downhill switchbacks, steep slabs, rock gardens (up and down). One big separation climb at the beginning, flowy single track into another short sharp and technical climb, into a long steep technical descent before the flat creekside run into the finish. Run into the finish was ~1 mile of single track before it opens up into the campground double-wide paths and a dirt road into the finish. Time and space for a sprint finish. Plenty of room on the first climb to make passes. Dusty day out there!
Strava: N/A
Nutrition: ~90g of carbs in a bottle for pre/during race nutrition. Consumed two thirds of it beforehand, and left rest to sip on the climbs.
Event Recap: Recon’d the course by climbing up the backside in the morning and testing the descent. Also watched one video of last year’s race. Race start was delayed 45 minute for setup and technical difficulties. Big field due to NCNA district champs. Our field started at the back of 50+ teenagers. The 19-34 and 35-50 mens racers passed much of the younger folks on the first climb together. Main competition was still with me near a crest in the climb but I was starting to get separation so I drove hard on a false flat to jump some more wheels and get the separation I wanted before technical sections. Never saw them again! My gap grew out and I hung on in the technical sections, feeling confident, I don’t think I was losing much if any time. Kept a strong pace, attacking climbs and navigating descents throughout the remaining 1.5 laps. Was in a group of 4 (Cat 2 overall, ie the teenagers) heading into the final descent. Jumped to lead them into it and held all but one off before the run into the finish. Once it flattened out in the singletrack I drove hard and caught the one that had passed me feet before the line in a two up sprint for 8th/47 and an age group win by 4 minutes!
