Hammer Update: Race Season in Full Force

The Hammer (a.k.a. Mary Moncorge) has been racking up huge amounts of race experience this year. Juggling a couple of minor injuries and plan changes, she is just charging through the season beautifully with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.   Read on for a little interview about her decision to go to the French National Champs instead of the Master World Champs in Brazil and a summary of her recent race results.

SHINE: Why aren't you going to Brazil?
MM: I was suppose to go with Megan but we started to plan too late and tickets were getting super expensive. Also, Megan had to get a visa as there is no US/Brazil agreement like there is between France and Brazil, so it was adding to the costs.

SHINE: Who/what/when are the French National Champs?
MM: I've decided to go to France instead to do the National Champs there as half of the top 10 WC riders are French, so it was more interesting for me to go do French national champs rather than Master World Champs were the competition wouldn't have been as challenging. The National Champs will take place in Méribel in the Alps, close to the Swiss and Italian border lines the weekend ofJuly 16th.

SHINE: What did you have to do to get accepted?
MM: I had to contact the French Federation (equivalent of USA Cycling in France) and ask permission to race as well as submit a race resume and proving that I've the level to compete.

SHINE: How will this affect your race season?
MM: This fits perfectly in my race season: I had 2 local races in early July and this is an awesome rehearsal for Crankworx Colorado at the end of the month.

SHINE: Are you nervous/excited and why?
MM: I've to compete against some of the best riders in the world and ride for the first time in my home country, I'm super stoked. I'm super lucky to have my boyfriend coming with me so I won't be on my own like for the races on the east coast.

SHINE: What are you doing to get prepared?
MM: I've been riding trails a lot and getting a lot of riding in elevation, I've also been weight lifting at the gym and swimming. I've unfortunately dislocated my elbow last week, so I was off the bike for a week but I was able to spend more time at the gym and reinforced my deep muscles.

SHINE: What will you eat when you get there?
MM: I'm on a dairy and gluten free diet and hopefully it won't be too hard to keep doing that. I'll try to stay out of the patisserie and boulangerie but I've a big sweet tooth.

Mary training on a private trail in Truckee, CA
photo credit: Keith Prawalsky

After dislocating her pinkie June 11th during an epic shred session on one of our home trails in Santa Cruz County, Mary embarked upon a back-to-back schedule of non-stop racing:

June 18th Mary took 10th in the Pro category of the Ashland Mountain Challenge, which is a 12 mile Super D race through the lush forests of Mount Ashland.  The race had a great turnout of ladies, both Pro and Am alike.  For the complete results click here: Ashland Mtn Challenge.  If you've never been to Ashland for mountain biking, I urge you to check it out.  For an awesome shuttle experience, try Ashland Mountain Adventures.

The next week Mary packed up her carbon V-10 and jetted out to Crested Butte, Co for the Wildflower Rush, the second to last race of the Pro GRT series.  She took 3rd in the pro women's Dual Slalom on a borrowed bike but then crashed in qualifying.  Sustaining a pretty painful injury to her elbow, Mary chose to sit out her race run and heal up for the hectic remainder of the season.  Pro Womens DH Results.

photo credit: W.M. Smith

The Peavine Challenge that had been cancelled due to torrential downpours in Reno, NV back in June was rescheduled to last Saturday, July 2nd.  With the sun blazing down and temperatures close to 100 degrees racers struggled to keep cool.  Mary was at the top of the podium, followed by Andrea Napoli, Cierra Smith, and Alliance rider Megan Zemny.

After recovering from the intense heat and feasting on some delicious Mexican food, Mary made an appearance at Northstar-at-Tahoe's Bike Park.  Everyone was pumped Sunday when Boondocks, a favorite trail of many Northstar mountain bikers, was opened up for riding.  Lower Vista trails and three sections of Livewire (zones 1, 4, and 5) were also open.

The first race of the Northstar DH series was originally slated to be held on Gypsy, but will be run on Boondocks instead.  The event takes place this Saturday, the 9th and is open to all riders and does not require a USA cycling license.  See you there!