Cuthbertson makes impressive return

From Husaberg Racing

Three members of the Corner Grass Racing Team traveled to Idaho City, ID last weekend to compete in the Boise Ridge Riders premier event of the season.

This being the 26th running of the Idaho City 100, this year’s course was 120 miles of pure Enduro single track held mostly on private land arranged by the club. The event is very well respected amongst the U.S. competitors with the 300-rider entry limit being filled in just three days!

The two-day event is used to qualify the U.S. ISDE team and also allows regular off-road racing enthusiasts a chance to test their skills in an event structured according to the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) and Enduro World Championship (EWC) format.

CGRT used the event to help with preparation for the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) scheduled to begin in July. With only a month remaining before the opening rounds, this event was an excellent opportunity to help fine tune set-ups.

Shane Cuthbertson returned to racing after a six-month hiatus not only to test his riding skills but also a few of his newly reconstructed body parts. Obviously, as a Canadian he was not trying to qualify for the US team, and therefore entered the AA class, which runs the same time schedule as the Letter of Intent (LOI) competitors and is scored accordingly in the overall rankings.

Cuthbertson surprised even himself with first place finishes both days and ninth overall for the weekend.

“I was really just focused on testing my bike set-up, physical preparation, and getting back into the game," he explained, "so coming away with a win both days was a nice bonus. I have been here in 2005 and 2006 and did not even come close to what I accomplished this weekend, so this is a nice way to start the season.”

Jay McGregor and Nick Riewe, both ISDE veterans, were also entered and performed better than they expected against the mighty American riders. McGregor rode the 30+ A class and carded sixth and fourth place finishes even after being penalized with some major route points.

“I lost my time card on Day 1 so I was at the mercy of the other riders on my minute, but then they both had issues and I ended up burning a few checks," he said. "Then on Day 2, a spectator over-fueled the 'Berg and soaked the air filter so bad with gas that the bike would not run. I lost seven minutes trying to get going, which was frustrating. Overall though, the event was stellar and I had a blast.”

Still struggling with an injuring sustained in a practice accident, Riewe showed true grit by finishing Day 1 sixth overall in the 40+ A class, however made a wise decision to sit out Day 2 after feeling the ill effects of what 200 km can do to a body.

Next up for CGRT is the Corner Grass Hare Scramble scheduled for June 26-27 in Compeer, AB.