Racers nearing the top of Saturday's climb
Left to right: Geoff Kabush, Michael van den Ham, Macky Franklin

DOWNIEVILLE — The Downieville Classic bike race was held last weekend after a three-year hiatus. Mountain bike riders from around the world gathered once again to test themselves on the brutal Downieville trails and compete for the title of All-Mountain World Champion. The race brought thousands of riders and supporters to Downieville, where a festival atmosphere awaited. Vendors lined Downieville’s Main Street, and a large stage was erected next to the community hall for podiums, events, and concerts. Music played live and on speakers around town throughout the weekend, and refreshing beverages were plentiful.

Pro Men category starts the Cross Country race

Saturday morning, hundreds of riders bunched together in Sierra City, grouped by skill level, and waited anxiously for the Classic’s infamous start. The Saturday Cross Country race course stretched 26.5 miles, beginning with a grueling climb of 3000 vertical feet known to riders as the “Trail of Tears” from Sierra City to Packer Saddle. The riders then descended many famous single-track trails the area is known for, battling rocky terrain, river crossings, cliffsides, and natural obstacles. Volunteers and supporters lined the trails and roads at spots throughout the course during the weekend, offering their support and aid. The end of First Divide Trail marked the beginning of the sprint through town to the finish line at Main and School Street, where riders who hadn’t yet spent all their energy could gain a few places.

Spencer Rathkamp having fun starting the Cross Country descent

All three Cross Country riders on the podium in the Pro category finished with astonishing times of under 2 hours. Keegan Swenson won Saturday’s race with a time of 1:57:26 and an average speed of 13.5 miles per hour. The Pro Men’s podium of Swenson, Cole Paton, and Bradyn Lange all finished well within three minutes of each other and had a gap of over three minutes to fourth-place finisher Alex Wild. Alexis Skarda won the Pro Women’s race with a time of 2:24:45, with the podium rounded out by Katerina Nash and Anna Yamauchi. The last rider to successfully cross the line was Elliot Lopes in the Expert Men category, with a time of 6:08:29. Six hundred sixty-three riders finished the race, with 22 riders unable to cross the line.

Sunday’s downhill race made up the second part of the All-Mountain World Championship title and began at Packer Saddle for a much faster 15-mile trip down the mountain. Though the Downhill may be less physically demanding, it is famously technically challenging and mentally trying. Christopher Blevins was the fastest down the hill, with a time of 43:24. The Pro Men’s downhill podium was rounded out by Brandon Lange and Keegan Swenson, both finishing within 35 seconds of Blevins. In Pro Women, Katerina Nash won with a time of 49:57, finishing over three minutes ahead of Anna Yamauchi and Alexis Skarda. The race for second in Pro Women’s Downhill was decided by only 3 seconds, with Yamauchi prevailing.

On Sunday, the All-Mountain World Championship standings were decided by the sum of a rider’s position in both races. The lowest sum of positions in a category would be crowned champion, with any ties going to the rider who completed both races with the lowest combined time. Keegan Swenson won the Pro Men’s championship after placing first in the Cross Country and third in the Downhill. Katerina Nash won Pro Women, placing second in Cross Country and first in Downhill. Had Alexis Skarda been 3 seconds faster and placed second in the Downhill race, she would have been champion instead. Clint Claassen won the open category for single-speed bikes, placing second on both days. The Expert Junior Men 13-18 category championship went to Lucas Van Amson and Expert Junior Women to Francisca Gomez Villafane. Expert Men 30 and Under was won by Max Rehkopf, and Women 30 and Under by Katy Greene.

Pro Women's Cross Country podium

Pro Men's Cross Country podium

Live music began on Friday night, with funk band Big Sticky Mess. Saturday night was the biggest night of the town festival and included a bike log-pull competition, followed by a funk & soul music set by The Vibe Tribe. Additionally, circus arts performers entertained the crowd in front of the stage with dancing and high-flying stunts. Activities wrapped up on Sunday after the All-Mountain podiums, cleanup efforts began, and Downieville soon returned to its everyday peace and quiet.

The success of the 2023 Classic event was widely felt, particularly in Downieville and Sierra City. Businesses benefited from the economic boost that’s been absent the last few years; hotels were completely booked for the weekend, and restaurants were bustling. The Messenger would like to congratulate the Classic on its return and commend it for respecting the community and cleaning up after itself. We’re looking forward to next year’s Classic!