Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127744
26th Annual Ute Cup (Left) Ute Cup rookie Raymond Peters dabbed only twice en route to the overall win aboard his Tryel. Shop Fentlc. (Above) Ken... rider Alien Guyot was third overall with 12 pointe. (Below) Gas Ga. USA'. Jees Kempkee wes a heertbreeklngly close second overall with three pointe. By Donn Maeda MOUNT ROSA, CO, AUG. 19-20 nyone else would have been elated to finish the famous Ute Cup Trial with a mere two points, but Raymond Peters actually seemed to be a bit disappointed with himself. '1 figured that I could clean the whole event," said Peters, who emerged the winner of the grueling two-day event in his first try. '1 was really upset when I took my first point, but I guess the second one cquldn't be helped." Though Peters was initially a bit somber after the event, his mood began to take a turn for the better as he began to fully realize what he had accomplished. The Tryals Shop-sponsored rider cleaned both of Saturday's loops, and took only a single point in each of Sunday's loops. Considering that this was his first attempt at the event, many were surprised to see Peters take the win, as Ute Cup experience is a definite advantage. '1 had a great time," said Peters, who used the event to tune up for the follow- ~ ~ 0\ ..... -..0 i p.. ~ 54 ing weekend's National, held in nearby Canon Gty. '1've always wanted to ride the Ute Cup, and this year it worked out with the National scheduling. Gary Jackson just finished working on my motor, and I figured this would be a good chance to try it out and get used to the high altitude, also." Now in it's 26th year, the Ute Cup has gained a reputation as one of the United States' premier trials events. Though not a round of the AMA/NATC National Championship Observed Trails Series, the event traditionally draws one of the largest turnouts of the year. And this year was no different, as 120 riders started the event, making it the largest Ute Cup in recent history. The Rocky Mountain Trials Association-promoted event is open to all riders of Intermediate class skills and above. Unlike most events, however, the Ute Cup features only one line - Intermediate, Advanced, Expert and Championship class riders alike ride the same course. Sections are of intermediate- and advanced-level difficulty, and the loop that connects the sections is usually one of the most challenging aspects of the event. Held in high altitudes that range from 10,000 to 14,800, the Ute Cup challenges both the riders and their machines. This year's loops were relatively short in comparison to those run in the past on Saturday riders took two laps around a 2o-section, 13-mile loop, and on Sunday twice attacked a 19-section, eight-mile loop. Unusually pleasant weather greeted riders on both days, and only a few stray drops of rain fell throughout the weekend. Rain on Friday night made the