Racer Suffers Fatal Injury at Mountain States Cup Event

(June 6, 2010) ANGEL FIRE RESORT, NM—The mountain bike community took a massive hit this weekend with the loss of one of its own. A 17-year-old male mountain biker suffered a fatal injury after a crash on the four-cross course Friday, June 4, during practice for the weekend’s Mountain States Cup Chile Challenge race, according to a statement from event organizer Bigfoot Productions.

Full details regarding the accident are not available at this time, and a name has not yet been released.

This was the first fatality in the event’s history, according to Angel Fire Resort personnel.

Bigfoot Productions cancelled four-cross racing the following day on Saturday, after a request from the racer’s team.

Race director Keith Darner and Scott “Doc” Branney of RPM/Yeti Developmental Racing held a vigil Friday evening for the racer. More than 60 people gathered at the Angel Fire Resort to pay their respects. Branney spoke of the racer but also about the camaraderie among racers, families and teams that gravity racing creates.

“Something special about what we have here in gravity racing is the sense of family,” said Branney. “We are all one big family. Keep helping each other out. Keep riding.”

As the group stood in silence after the tribute, something special happened. Instead of leaving their friend with a moment of silence, they sent him out with a cheer that every gravity racer dreams of hearing while standing atop the podium. The gesture left many with tears in their eyes.

To help the family, Bigfoot Productions is allowing racers to donate their four-cross entry fees to the racer’s family. In addition, Mojo Wheels has set up a donation fund. Call (303) 986-8216 for details.