Success at Soldier Hollow as Vermaerke and Simmons Go 1-2 in Junior UCI Series Race

Racing in the thin air of the Wasatch Mountain State Park in northern Utah, the Whole Athlete p/b DNA Team came to Soldier Hollow ready to face both high elevation and stiff competition. The fourth stop on the ProXCT circuit was also a Junior UCI series event, with top points at stake for Juniors looking to qualify for the World Championships in August. 
 

Kevin Vermaerke embraced the challenge once again and held off a strong Junior field to take the win for the second year in a row. Teammate Quinn Simmons also rode a strong and tactical race as he sprinted for 2nd place on the day, completing an impressive Whole Athlete 1-2. Vermaerke and Simmons now head to Europe to tackle a series of road races, followed by two major Junior UCI XC events in Germany and Belgium before returning to the US for the XC National Championships in West Virginia. 

Vermaerke blazing a trail in the stars and stripes. (photo: PB Creative)

In the elite races, first-year U23 Savilia Blunk continued to impress as she underscored her well-deserved place in the Pro women's field, landing on the podium in both the short track and cross country with 3rd and 4th place finishes. Blunk will take her excellent form to Europe next to compete in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the U23 World Cup in Germany and the Czech Republic. 

Blunk has shown impressive consistency all spring. (photo: PB Creative)

Simmons finding success while splitting his time between the road and dirt. (photo: PB Creative)

Meanwhile, back in the heat of Southern California, Gabbi Richardson landed yet another podium finish at the SoCal High School League finals at Tehachapi, making her way from a back row call-up to ride through nearly the entire field for 2nd place in the Varsity girls race. 

Richardson has finished on the podium in every race entered so far this season. (photo: PB Creative)

Vermaerke and Simmons with the top two spots on the day. (photo: Whole Athlete) 

The Pro Women's podium is becoming a familiar place for Blunk this season. (photo: Kenny Wehn)

Check out all the team's top-10 results here.

Next up for Whole Athlete p/b DNA riders:

05/20/18 World Cup #2 - Albstadt, Germany
05/26/18 World Cup #3 - Nove Mesto, Czech Republic
06/09/18 Missoula ProXCT #5 (Junior UCI Series) - Missoula, MT
06/24/18 XCO Bundesliga (Junior UCI) - Wombach, GER 07/01/18 XCO (Junior UCI) - Houffalize, BEL

Stay tuned for more exciting news!