The Huntsville Mountain Bike Association was well represented at the Provincial Championships held at Sir Sam’s Bike and Ski in Haliburton on Sunday- the final race of 2019 Ontario Cup cross country mountain bike series. While the rain stopped in time for the first races to start, it did leave the course with some slick sections in the technical areas and the climbs, adding to an already challenging venue.
At 10:00am it was Blake Punchard first riding to a 7th place finish in the Minimee Sport Boys category, followed be Noah Galt finishing 10th in Peewee Sport Boys, and Chloe Punkari finishing 6th in Cadet/Junior Sport Girls.
The 11:45am race featured two HMBA board members racing in the Master Sport Men 40-49 category, Jeff Punkari placing 8th, and Adam Galt coming in 2nd.
In the 1:30pm start group Cole Punchard was up, hot off a win at the previous O-Cup in the Cadet Expert category. Despite starting behind a number of riders in the gate and an unlucky crash off the start, he displayed an impressive effort, and finished in 2nd place.
Final Ontario Cup series point standings in their categories (best 5/8 races): Blake Punchard – 13th, Noah Galt – 8th, Chloe Punkari – 7th, Adam Galt – 2nd, Jeff Punkari – 21st, Cole Punchard – 2nd.
Pictures Below:
Blake Punchard putting the power down through his first lap
Noah Galt lining up tight downhill turn
Chloe Punkari on one of her multiple climbs up the ski hill, but making it look easy
Cole Punchard winding his way through the end of a lap
Cole Punchard with a great result to end the year – Cadet Expert Podium
Adam Galt, 2nd place finish, 1st place beard – Master Sport 40-49 Podium