voncooper.com

June 11, Windham UCI World Cup 2011 – Team RM East Press Release

Team Rocky Mountain East Takes on the World

Once a year the world’s best visit the North America, first stop in Mont Saint Anne, Canada, then head south to Windham,

New York, USA. Team Rocky Mountain East traveled from Vermont and South Carolina to ride against the best that world has

to offer in the UCI Downhill World Cup.  

Team RM East’s Gavin Vaughan was awarded the opportunity, as one of only six riders selected, to represent USA Cycling

(USAC) and qualify for one of the 80 positions to run the World Cup. For any rookie UCI rider this would be no easy task with

the likes of such names as Steve Peat, Aaron Gwin, Gee Atherton, etc. Comments from Team Rocky Mountain East rider,

Gavin Vaughan, “I felt honored and lucky to receive a spot on the USAC federation team for Windham.  It was awesome to

wear the stars and stripes and represent our country on our home turf.  It added some pressure to perform, but I think it was

a good thing.  I pushed myself faster and faster all weekend, giving it my best effort.”

A day and a half of practice on the course, which dropped 1600ft, were followed by qualification runs on Saturday afternoon

and the race Sunday afternoon. Gavin spent each practice session settling his mind in to the course, the lines, and the bike. As

2:00 p.m.  approached, both the rider and each of the supporting team member’s nerves began to build. There were one

hundred and thirty four other riders each with the same objective, ride fast enough to secure one of 80 positions to compete

on Sunday. It was do or die and………………… Gavin did it! With fifteen other riders left tear down the course, Gavin was just

under 3 seconds faster than the bubble position qualifying 69

th

 when he crossed the line posting a time of 2:47.572. When all

was said and done he was edged back one position to officially qualify in 70

th

 position. The entire team was beyond excited

when his time was displayed on the UCI leader board!

Going into Sunday, Gavin set his goal of advancing ten positions from this qualifying run to do better than 60

th

 place. 2:00

p.m. called for the first rider down the course and ten minutes later it was Team Rocky Mountain East’s turn. Gavin exploded

out of the gate and down into the first right hand turn to hit the steepest section of the course like a pro. Another 2 minutes

and 35 seconds later Gavin crossed the line after with his first finish in a UCI World Cup Downhill race and placed himself as

the 54

th

 fastest rider in the world this weekend.  Congratulations Gavin! Fantastic Ride!

Race comments from Team Rocky Mountain East rider, Gavin Vaughan, “I had an unreal weekend at the Windham World

Cup. I told myself to just have fun and do my best and everything just fell into place.  The course was fast and fun, plus the

weather held off making it a blast to ride.  The bike was working awesome; I felt really in tune with it. I reached my goal of a

top 60 in the finals and could not have done it without the help of Team RM East, all our sponsors, my family and friends, and

the support from my fellow local racers.”

Big Shout Out and Thank You to all the sponsors for making this great opportunity possible: Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Billy

Goat Bikes, Continental , Drift Innovation, Elka, Feedback Sports, Loaded, MRP, Monster, ODI, Smith Optics, Sugarbush

Resort, Suspension Experts, Urge , Von Cooper Productions, 2Wheel Freaks, 661.

Official Results:

UCI World Cup at Windham Finals:

54th Gavin Vaughan  (USA) 2:35.879

For any further information please contact: Jay Schultz, jlshls2984@yahoo.com, 734 787 5794, Team RM East – Public Relations