Beaver Creek Blast wraps up Westin Riverfront mountain bike race series, with several titles up for grabs

The Beaver Creek Blast, the last race of the Riverfront Club at the Westin (RFC) Mountain Bike Series, takes place at 5:45 p.m. tonight at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain.

The after party, at the Coyote Cafe following the race, will include the announcement of the series champions, both individual category winners and teams. This is the seventh race in the Vail Recreation District's (VRD) seven-race series, which is presented by East West Resorts, and has taken mountain bike racers on courses throughout Eagle County including in Eagle, 4 Eagle Ranch, Edwards and on Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains.

There are 20 categories in the race series and many category winners will be determined during tonight's race as bikers vie for additional points. Top racers in the Men's Expert category, are tied with both Peter Hinmon and Brad Zoller having 325 points on the eve of the final race. Melanie Wong and Maria Pastore, the lead racers in Women's Sport category and Lindsey Hinmon and Cait Boyd in Women's Expert are also tied.

Series winners in the Women's Beginner Category also will be determined tonight as Richelle Curan's mere 10 point lead over Jennifer Silva and 15 point lead over Sarah Brubeck could change depending on which of the three ladies races to first. Similarly, Mark Beresniewcz could snag the Clydesdale title with only 15 points separating him from current top Clydesdale rider Jeff Lifgren.

"It's going to be an exciting night," said VRD race director Beth Pappas. "Beaver Creek Blast will be the race that decides who takes home the copper wheel for the teams and who take the top spot for the individual categories."

Tonight also will determine the team winners with Mountain Pedaler/Dusty Boot ahead of Pedal Power/Gorsuch and Yeti's Grind in third.

Individual race costs are $25 for preregistration or $35 on race-day, until 5:30 p.m. Registration is available by clicking here. The Beaver Creek Blast races will begin at 5 p.m. at Centennial Chair at Beaver Creek starting with the Larkburger Youth Series for riders ages 8 to 14, followed by all adult race categories at 5:45 p.m. Youth racers will ride two to four miles up the mountain and around to the finish on the Beaver Creek Village Loop Trail.

The Pros, Men's Expert, Men's Vet Expert, Master Expert and Men's Single Speed categories will race an 18.1 mile loop that will take them all the way to Arrowhead mountain and back. The Sport, Vet Sport, Master's Sport, Women's Single Speed and Clydesdale divisions will race 14 miles, which includes a medium loop to the top of Arrowhead, then back to Beaver Creek via Allie's Way and a single track section by Beano's Cabin. The Beginner and Junior racers will test themselves on a seven mile loop that will include Allie's Way and the Beaver Creek Village Loop.

Venture Sports in Avon is the official shop of the Beaver Creek Blast and will be onsite at the start to provide neutral support for racers with last minute mechanical issues.

The last after party of the year and a huge, end-of-season raffle, as well as the series awards ceremony, will take place at Coyote Cafe in Beaver Creek Village following Wednesday's race.

"In addition to the category awards, we'll also be giving out some special awards to standout riders," said Pappas. "This year's race series has been amazing and we thank all our riders and volunteers who help keep the series successful. A special thanks goes out to the Riverfront Club at the Westin and East West Resorts whose partnership helped make this year's series the best in years."

Registration, course information and start times are available by clicking here or calling 970-479-2280.