Another season has come and gone and new Fluidride Cup overall Champions have been crowned.

Nearly 250 gravity addicts gathered at Mt Hood Ski Bowl for the 2009 Fluidride Cup Finals September 25-27. After two days of practice with perfect weather, mother nature showed her force with high winds on race day by blowing several bikes off the top chair. Due to the wind, it was decided racers would ride only the bottom half of the track, shortening the race times from just over 4 minutes to right around 2 and half minutes.

After months of back to back blue bird days, the circuit was as rough as I’ve ever seen it, with huge rocks, holes and ruts battering bikes and their pilots. The Evil Pro Men’s Qualifier saw Michael Silvestri (Santa Cruz/All Ride Academy) post the fastest time, followed closely by 2009 Fluidride Cup Series Champion Bart McDaniel (Fluidride/Evil) and Maxxis/Rocky Mountain world cup shredder Luke Strobel. Only two seconds off the pace was Mt Hood legend Jim Johnston aboard a 2002 Intense M1. Race favorite Bryn Atkinson fell victim to the pitted course during the qualifier, bouncing off the track and into a tree cutting his face, which ended his day early. From the sound of it, Bryn will make a full and speedy recovery from the fall.

In the Junior Expert Qualifier, Evan Powell (Yeti/Fox Regional) set the stage for the final run with a very quick 2:42, followed closely by Luciano Worl (Fluidride/Evil) 3 seconds back. Evan would go on to victory in the final round, posting a 2:40, putting him squarely in the mix with the pros. Caleb Doane (Legion of Dirt) took the runner up position with Tyler Gilsdorf (Downhill Zone Racing) rounding out the top three. The podium was book ended by Michael Nash and Luciano Worl in 4th and 5th respectively.

The Kona Pro Women’s division had a surprise visitor in the form of gated racing super star Jill Kintner (Red Bull/Crankbrothers/Intense), who handily posted the fastest times in both the qualifier and the final. Dawn Fidler (Speedy Beavers Racing) took the runner up position, locking up the series overall in the process.

Huge thanks go out to all the riders and sponsors who made the 2009 Fluidride Cup such a great series. We’re already looking forward to another great year in 2010.

For a full report – pictures – videos – and general radness from Mike Estes – CHECK OUT THE PINK BIKE SUPER POST HERE!!