Long Island, NY - May 8, 2017 - The Long Island Hurricanes NICA team along with NY Cranks of NYC hosted the third NY state race of the spring as 24 teams from across the state of NY descended on Long Island to compete in NICA’s Island Hopper XC mountain bike race at Cathedral Pines County Park in Middle Island, NY. This was the first race our Long Island local team has ever done in their own backyard in the 4 years they have been competing and they made the most of the hometown advantage. The Hurricanes fielded 18 riders across 12 categories from grades 6 through 12. In an extremely fast race 23.6 mile XC the top billed High School Varsity Race Long Island Hurricanes rider Chris Trimble of Kings Park, NY battled with Niskayuna High School’s Alexander Zierer for the lead over the 4 laps with the lead changing hands several time, in the end Zierer edged Trimble by less than 20 seconds.
The Sophomore race, the overall series lead was tied going into the race as Long Island Hurricanes Rider Cole Eisenberg of Yaphank, NY and HRRT rider Patrick Frank both held leaders jerseys. The 18 mile race, was tight with the two leaders riding away from a field of 39 riders. Neither could shake the other and the two remained together over 12 miles about 4 minutes ahead of the next riders. With 6 miles to go the course took its toll on Patrick Franks back wheel, leaving Cole Eisenberg with a victory and sole possession of the NICA Spring Series lead.
The Freshman Race Long Island Hurricanes rider Stephen Verderame of Huntington NY rode to victory 10 seconds ahead of Peyton Geeher of Fayetteville Manilas HS and Andrew Summers of Queensbury Spartans to retain the series lead, while Hurricanes rider Christian Symons of Huntington, NY joined him on the podium in 4th place.
In the 8th grade race, Long Island Hurricanes Josh Gergely just missed the podium coming in 6th.
In the 7th grade race Hurricane Rider Benjamin Zelenetz of Atlantic Beach, NY sustained a hip injury on a gravelly turn while in 3rd place and was unable to continue.
In the 6th grade race Mark Eisenberg won the race, after placing 2nd in race #1at blue mountain preserve in Peekskill, NY and a DNF in race# 2 in Warwarsing NY for an overall series lead.
In the girls sixth grade race, the youngest rider in the race,10 year old Edan Paggy of Long Beach, NY, placed third.
In two weeks the Long Island Hurricanes Mountain Bike Team travel the WALNUT ENDURO in Liberty, NY
For more information on Long Island Hurricanes Youth Mountain Bike Programs visit www.limtb.org or call 516-900-3610.