2008 CORA Cincinnati MTB Series

February 29, 2008 on 5:46 pm | In Mountain Bike Racing |

2008 CORA Series

June 15 - Kentucky Series - England/Idlewild Park
June 22 - Kentucky Series Invitational - Cherokee Park Louisville
June 29 - Ohio Mountain Biking Championships #5 - East Fork State Park
August 24 - Ohio Mountain Biking Championships #9 - Caesars Creek State Park
Date TBD - Harbin Park Time Trial #1
Date TBD - Harbin Park Time Trial Finale

Capitalizing on the strength of the KYMBA series and OMBC series, the six race-best of four 2008 CORA series is the most promising local series Cincinnati has seen in years. Cincinnati finally has a local mountain bike series that will definitely draw the best regional and local talent, provide a great experience for newbies, great courses, and good prizes. BioWheels racer Chad Irey (pictured), self proclaimed series head cheese, was instrumental in pulling the events together.

Cincinnati is blessed and cursed to be central to Dayton, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis and Charleston. The blessing is that we’re so close to so many cities, talented cyclists and big races. The curse is that, in the past, local racers spread themselves thin between all the great events. So, instead of competing with the OMBC, Harbin Park TT and KYMBA series, the 2008 CORA series is part of the regional scene. Brilliant!

It’s been a few years since a local series was able to draw a large talented pool of riders. A few years ago, I remember being happy to finish top ten…in my age group. Last year, you’d be lucky to have ten people in your race, make that three for women. Hopefully those kinds of deep fields will return to Cincinnati. With the promotional arms of the OMBC and KYMBA behind it, every category in the 2008 CORA series should have strong deep competitive fields from beginner on up to semi-pro. And, since the races are part of the other series, all the local riders should be at the local events. Better yet, the events actually take place in summer, so the trails should be in good shape. Add to that some great prizes and a festive atmosphere; we’re bound to have a great time.

Five of the races take place on arguably the best trails in our backyard: Caesars, East Fork, Harbin and EI. No doubt, whoever comes out on top will be king and queen of the Nati. Seeing that two of the events are Thursday night time trials at Harbin bodes pretty well for a Cincinnati resident to be on top of the podium at the end of the season. It could be you.
Stay tuned for a flyer, registration and rundown of how the points system will work.

Joe Bellante
BioWheels Racing

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