Tag: KHS Pro MTB Team

It would bring the best North American Enduro racers from all parts of the continent to compete against each other on a very physically demanding track with weather temperatures hovering around 90° and 90% humidity with eight grueling stages divided into two days. KHS, Pro MTB would be represented in multiple categories. It would be Shane Leslie in Pro male Enduro, Kailey skeleton in Pro female Enduro, Steven Walton would be representing us in the E bike pro category and Nae Kitchen would be holding it down in the U21 Junior Pro category. Racers would arrive Wednesday to acclimate prep their bikes and get ready for a grueling two days of practice. Thursday would allow the first four stages for practice and training, the stages would be mixed conditions of pedally, slick, steep, and overall very challenging. Friday’s practice would hold the other final four stages, which were very similar in terrain. Overall it would be a very tough weekend, mainly physically demanding on the riders with such high humidity. 

Saturday was the first big day with the first four stages. A lot of action went down with the most noticeable being unfortunately, Kailey Skelton getting a flat tire and pulling out of the complete event due to her time that she had lost on that stage. It would be very hard for her to recover. Shane Leslie would have a slight crash and slot himself in eighth place going into Sunday’s finals. Nate Kitchen would have a great day sitting in six place going into his finals. And Steven Walton would be holding it down for the team sitting in second place, heading into Sunday’s finals. All the athletes were very tired after day one exerting themselves to the max. They would really have to bring her A game come Sunday which would consist of another demanding day with the final four stages set. 

Shane Leslie would maintain a top 11 spot in the Pro field still acclimating to his bike and the complete new team. Shane is definitely striving for podium positions and it won’t be much longer until we see him on the box. Nate Kitchen had a demanding final two stages by winning both of them and sliding himself into third place overall in the junior pro category and getting on top of that podium. The day would go to Steven Walton with maintaining consistent runs and coming out on the top step in first place for the Ebike Pro class! The team and all the athletes had a blast at the first Big Mountain Enduro, and look forward to showcasing their skills once again at Rd. 2 in Arizona further down the calendar year . As always, the team wants to thank our sponsors, friends, family, and everyone who helps us succeed. We have a three week break until we head out to Mountain Creek,New Jersey for the second round of the Downhill National series. 

-Cheers,

Logan Binggeli – Team Management 

The 32nd Sea Otter Classic launched this past weekend with thousands of fans and racers gathering from all over the globe! Sea Otter has been one of the pinnacle venues to showcase new product launches within the MTB community along with some of the biggest racers’ names showing up to compete.

Enduro racing was up early on the event schedule with four demanding stages. Shane Leslie would round out the top five throughout the first three stages when he had a minor crash on the final stage resulting in a 17th place finish overall. It would be good to see Shane on pace to get up on the podium among that depth of field.

Friday would be followed up with Dual Slalom qualifying, Dual Slalom was one of the favored events for this venue being a head-to-head sport and spectator friendly. Our Jr. pro Nate Kitchen had a demanding day slotting him in the number one position! Kailey Skelton would qualify inside the top ten and unfortunately Steven Walton went down in his qualifying run and did not make the top 32. Saturday evening was the finals for Slalom with over 5000 spectators cheering from the side lines. Kailey would make it to the round of 8 but get eliminated due to a slide out in one of her runs. The track was very slick and loose with many riders struggling just to stay on their bikes. Nate Kitchen would have 5 total rounds to compete among his field. He would make great waves by winning all the way through to take the top spot!

Sunday morning came quick with DH finals starting off right away. All the athletes had a sandy physical track to compete on, with no room for errors. It would be Shane Leslie and Steven Walton rounding out a top 45 with Kailey Skelton grabbing a top 10 and Nate Kitchen continuing his dominance form to take another 1st place overall.

The team had a great effect on the MTB community by showing the KHS Bicycles brand and stamping our name once again in the history books. We enjoyed seeing all our sponsors, friends and family and want to thank everyone for the continued support!

This National is no stranger to some of the most technical, demanding steep, muddy terrain in the East Coast. Also bringing the best Americans possible along with some top international racers to all compete and prime themselves for the launch of the 2023 race season. It would be Kailey Skelton who would be holding it down for the pro women division. Steven Walton would be continuing his success in the pro downhill men’s field and our junior professional. Nathan Kitchen would be representing us in the top youth of America, upcoming athletes.

Thursday would fire off with an awesome track report/track walk, which would implement steep, Technical, roots, muddy, terrain and an overall type World Cup track would be presented among all the athletes. Friday would be day one practice, which was quite muddy and fresh cut lines which would consist of playing it safe for all the riders grabbing their bike set ups, maintaining speed and getting a feel for the Tennessee win rock track.

The athletes would awaken Saturday to a massive hurricane type storm. We definitely want to say our prayers out to everyone in Georgia and Mississippi. According to the weather there was a giant tornado that basically wiped out some small towns, and the after effects affected Tennessee with over an inch and a half of rainfall on the track and premises so we’re wishing everyone the best of luck. It would be beyond super muddy for qualifications. Kailey Skelton would throw down a heater run placing 2nd 3.5 seconds back from first. It would be Nate Kitchen, who would have a slippery wet, run and qualifying fourth and junior pros. And Steven Walton would have a demanding run which qualified him top 20 among the best.

Sunday and finals came very quickly for the racers. The sun was already beaming out, drying out the track dramatically. The track conditions were ever-changing from day one practice. Sunday finals practice would start off a little muddy and then they would have over a six hour delay between the amateur races for the track to dry out and change lines. The track conditions were completely different than any kind of track conditions that athletes had experienced all weekend. Steven Walton would have some unfortunate luck with getting a flat tire midway down his race run and milking it to the finish line. Our junior Pro would have an ecstatic run with a blistering time that would set him in second position, grabbing a respectable top podium finish. Kailey skeleton would be left with all the pressure on her shoulders with a stack field of female, pro downhill racers, the track was beyond complicated to get down with many changing lines. Kailey would do her best. It was a close call throughout the timed sectors. Kailey was in second place all the way into the last sector. She would throw down the Moto sections and scrubs and end up with the first place trophy, which was beyond amazing with an international field at her heels! Kailey was beyond stoked to win her first national race for the 2023 season and slot her with the maximum points for their overall series.

Click here for the race results link

“Overall, the team did an excellent job out there. Not only were they racing and showcasing what KHS Bicycles it’s all about but they were maintaining through some dramatic storms and dealing with some high-pressure situations. These athletes not only ride bikes, but are a true face to the sport on and off the track with helping the community get through tough times and having a positive attitude. As always we want to thank our sponsors, friends, family, and everyone who helps us maintain the dream of competing at the top level. W we are beyond stoked to represent in the Mountain Bike community and have gratitude towards everyone and help anyone who needs help along the way. We will see everyone between the tape at the phenomenal Sea Otter Classic!”

Logan Binggeli – Team Management

“Great weekend with the team out in Tennessee for the first round of the national series! Stoked to be able to put our new suntour suspension through its paces on a top level national track! Didn’t end the weekend how I wanted with a mechanical in finals but that’s how she goes sometimes! Up and onto the next! Huge thanks to our great supporters and bless #USDH!”

Steven Walton – Pro Athlete

“National round one is complete! Wow, it was Such an awesome weekend! I am so full of smiles knowing I am starting the season on a solid foot forward. I was able to execute a smooth run on a very challenging course and I am really proud of the riding I was able to display.
Let’s get ready for more!”

Kailey Skelton – Pro Athlete

“The first national of the year is already upon us with the Windock Enduro National firing off this past weekend in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It was Shane Leslie, who would be representing us in the professional men’s category for the weekend. Shane would have to face seven different stages to accumulate an overall time from each stage. Shane would fire a practice in dry conditions with this being his first race of the season he had been training really hard in the off-season, but it’s always a lot of pressure to get your first race under your belt. Weather was in store for day one and day two, so that would make it difficult with practice going off in dry conditions and racing heading into wet conditions. Shane would complete day one with four stages placing him and six place. He knew he could bring some time back and was hoping for a top-five result, or even better to pull enough time back to win the race.. With more weather in store for day two the terrain became more aggressive, technical and harder to stay on the bike. Shane had three more stages to complete on the final day with Shane having a few minor mistakes in the muddy conditions, he would place fifth overall, which was very impressive among some of the best American Enduro Racers for the 2023 race season. Shane and the team learned a lot and look forward to applying all the knowledge and bike set up towards the next race. Shane Leslie will be competing at the Sea Otter Classic for his next Enduro adventure. Already hot on the radar is the Tennessee Downhill national which is this coming weekend Kailey Skelton, Steven Walton, Nathan Kitchen, will all be competing for the top spots against some of the best international downhill racers all wanting to  showcase their 2023 campaign. We want to thank all our friends, family and sponsors for the continuous support. Will see you next week between the tape back at the Tennessee national in Windrock”!

       Logan Binggeli – Team Management 

“First race of the year with the KHS program was awesome. It was good to get the off season jitters out of the way and spend some time racing in the mud. I’m looking forward to building momentum from here going into the BME races!”

     Shane Leslie – Pro Enduro