Western Regional State Championships

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV
KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the podium in First place at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV for the Western Regional State Championships
KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the podium in First place at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV for the Western Regional State Championships

Bootleg Canyon located in Boulder City Nevada, has a legacy of mountain bike racing dating back all the way to the 1990s with KHS bicycles taking the top spot podiums for over 23 years running. It was really cool to see that legacy carry-on with riders Nathan Kitchen and Steven Walton holding it down for the team. Bootleg Canyon is located about 10 miles Southwest from the Hoover dam, which is a very unique track located on very rocky terrain, which requires much physical effort, line selection, and safety precautions all the way down from point A to B. It was one of the best tracks on the mountain, Snake Back all the way down to the parking lot, which is one of my personal favorites. It also has a midsection called Poopshoe, which was very, very steep and technical. Bootleg is known for holding some of the best Winter series races, alongside Southridge racing, in Fontana, CA.

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV
KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV

Everyone on the West Coast is itching to get out of the snow and cold to race. There were over 1500 amateurs and pros gathered together for the Southwest state championships. It brought out some great fans as well to watch some amazing racing. Some of the best all-around riders would be attending the venue and trying to claim the title. The event would kick off Friday with two days of practice. Both Steven and Nate would be holding it down in the Downhill category. “It was great to be back in the saddle racing and seeing all the great competition back between the tape. I was a little under the weather, so it was great to grab a podium position and keep the ball rolling throughout the start of the season!” Steven Walton said. They would each get many runs Friday and Saturday and hone in their skill sets, lines, and bike set up for the finals which would be held Sunday.

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV

Both riders would have great practice days dialing all their lines for Sunday’s finals. The track was very physical all together, putting much demand and pressure on each rider it would be Nate Kitchen holding it down for the junior pro category, he would have a blistering run and come in the top spot for KHS Pro MTB among the best junior racers in America. Nate said, “Bootleg is always a one-of-a-kind track and I am super pumped to continue my success with grabbing a win today! Bootleg is always a fun time of year to be racing and preparing for the upcoming season ahead!”

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV
KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton riding at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV

Steven Walton was under some weather and had not been feeling the best. But he would push through to grab a top three podium position. Both riders would maintain great steps on the podium throughout their 2023 race campaign and keep the legacy of KHS Pro MTB on the top steps of the podium throughout the 23 years of racing in Bootleg Canyon.

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on the podium in third place at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV for the Western Regional State Championships
KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on the podium in third place at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV for the Western Regional State Championships

We want to thank all of our friends, family and sponsors who support us and get us to the races. Without everyone we could not be on the top step of the podium. As always, we want to thank Downhill Mike and his crew for putting on a fantastic race that hosts some of the best racers in the western hemisphere. We look forward to round two of the Fontana Winter series next weekend. Which will also be Kailey Skelton’s debut race of 2023! We’ll see you between the tape soon!

  -Logan Binggeli, Team Management 

 

 

Nevada State Championship at Bootleg Canyon

KHS Pro MTB rider Nik Nestoroff on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.

Unbelievable weekend at the Nevada state Championship race in Boulder City, Nevada hosted by Bootleg Canyon Mountain bike park. Bootleg Canyon has been on the map since the mid-80s and has always seen some of the best World Cup riders like Sam Hill and Steve Peat! It’s a one-of-a-kind terrain that is very rocky, loose and gravelly. It takes a very highly skilled athlete to navigate the treacherous terrain of Bootleg from top to bottom and put in a solid race run.

KHS Pro MTB rider Naish Ulmer on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.
KHS Pro MTB rider Naish Ulmer on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.

Friday was the first day of practice/training. It was no walk in the park, unfortunately weather conditions with over 45 mph winds that would make it very difficult for all the athletes to get down the hill. Everyone was trying their best to maintain lines and navigate the course. Saturday would be a better day of weather for the team. With bluebird skies and a high of 60° weather, they were finally able to have a great day at practice and dial all their line selections in for the finals come Sunday. Also, with Saturday highlights the Enduro category which would be held down by our athlete Naish Ulmer, he would put in a solid three stages with some of the best racers in the West Coast competing. Naish finished a solid six place in the pro men’s Enduro field representing our grassroots program at a higher level.

KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the Jr. podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series.
KHS Pro MTB rider Nate Kitchen on the Jr. podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series.

Sunday’s final Downhill event would start off with a super huge result from our newly signed athlete representing us in the Junior Pro division. At only 16 years of age, Nate Kitchen would take the win over a nine second gap. He was competing against some of the best junior riders in the business with factory riders from GT Racing and other top brands. We were very proud of Nate’s State championship accomplishments.

KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.
KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.

To keep the ball rolling it would be the professional women’s Downhill category with Kailey Skelton to come down last, which would create a lot of pressure on herself. Kailey was used to that kind of high-pressure situation and would come blazing across the line with a +30 second lead in front of her competitors. Kailey would also take the Nevada state championship in the pro women’s category, to add another title to her trophy set.

KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.
KHS Pro MTB rider Steven Walton on track in Bootleg Canyon for the DVO Winter Gravity Series.

Last but not least would be Nik Nestoroff and Steven Walton representing the KHS Pro MTB team in the Downhill men’s professional category. They both had their work cut out for them competing against some of the best American Downhill racers in the business. With a very physically long demanding track it would be Nik Nestoroff who would claim first place by a 4 second margin. It would also be his fourth consecutive Nevada state championships, since Logan Binggeli back in 2015. That would make it KHS Bicycles 8th consecutive NV, State Championship. Steven Walton was still warming up to the season and under the weather with a cold, he would come in a solid fourth place to round out an amazing weekend with all competitors of the team on the podium.

KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton on the podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series in Boulder City, NV.
KHS Pro MTB rider Kailey Skelton on the podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series in Boulder City, NV.

Bootleg Canyon has always treated the KHS Pro MTB team very great, and we always appreciate all the respect we get from all the fans, family and locals. We want to thank all our sponsors who continuously dedicate their time and effort into keeping the team supplied with the best product in the market. We understand times are very tough and product is limited, we are always grateful to have some of the best equipment to support us through these professional races. Next week we will be at round two of the Southridge Winter Series in Fontana, California. We plan to keep the ball rolling and continue on the success!

KHS Pro MTB riders Nik Nestoroff and Steven Walton on the podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series in Boulder City, NV.
KHS Pro MTB riders Nik Nestoroff and Steven Walton on the podium at the DVO Winter Gravity Series in Boulder City, NV.

Doubled Up out at the Nevada State Championship

2021 is absolutely starting off to be a year to remember.  The Nevada state championship race is done and dusted and the KHS Pro MTB team has came out on top. With blood sweat and tears and a whole lot of dedication the team has won the  pro men’s downhill finals three years in a row thanks to Nik Nestoroff. This is a massive accomplishment with a lot of support and help from everyone in the Mountain Bike community.

KHS Pro MTB team rider Nik Nestoroff on the podium after winning the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.
KHS Pro MTB team rider Nik Nestoroff on the podium after winning the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.

Not only did Nik win the Pro men’s final at the Nevada state championship this past weekend but also winning in dominating fashion was Kailey Skelton.

KHS Pro MTB team rider Kailey Skelton on the podium after winning the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.
KHS Pro MTB team rider Kailey Skelton on the podium after winning the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.

She is now two for two wins for the 2021 season. Also within her final race run she unfortunately crashed at the very top of the race which scared us all, she managed to get back on her bike and win the race. Which was an amazing accomplishment in her professional field of Racing.

KHS Pro MTB team rider Nik Nestoroff racing at the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.
KHS Pro MTB team rider Nik Nestoroff racing at the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.

On the unfortunate side of things was Steven Walton who was definitely up for grabs for the win between him and Nik. Steven had a mechanical about 25 seconds into his race run. Which ended up being a flat tire. He was still only 26 seconds off the lead and definitely would’ve been a contender for the win alongside Nik.

KHS Pro MTB team rider Kailey Skelton racing at the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.
KHS Pro MTB team rider Kailey Skelton racing at the Nevada State Championship at Bootleg canyon.

The team continues to dominate and move onto the next race in Fontana California for round two of the Southridge Winter Series. They are very excited to keep their winning streak alive and stay healthy to continue to the top.

Bootleg Canyon with Nik Nestoroff

KHS pro mtb team rider Nik Nestoroff riding a trail.

The KHS Pro MTB team just wrapped the second round of the DVO Winter Gravity series and are looking good heading into the final round of the series. Check out what it is like to race out in Bootleg canyon with Nik Nestoroff.

Things Heat up at a Frozen Bootleg Canyon

This past weekend at Bootleg Canyon in Bolder City, NV had some epic weather. You had strong winds, rain, hail and even snow! But that did not stop the KHS Factory Racing team from coming up big.

Nik Nestoroff took the win again at he DVO Winter series, with teammates Steven Walton, taking 2nd and Logan Binggeli with 3rd place on the day. “Super good time out at the second round of the Bootleg Gravity Series. The whole team was out there flying and brought home some great results. The KHS was working awesome and we swept the podium!” -Nik Nestoroff

Also newest team member, Bryce Helbling, took 5th place on the day.

“Great weekend out with team in Bootleg for the second round of the series! I was plagued by many flat tires all weekend allowing me to only get two practice runs in before race time, so I’m stoked with a 2nd place finish between Nik and Logan. The team atmosphere was the perfect recipe for success.” -Steven Walton