The records kept smashing after the Test of Metal as Mad March Racing coach and World Masters champion Shaums March tore 27 seconds off the Rock Star Downhill Invitational Race's best time in Valleycliffe on Sunday (June 15).With large crowds lining the granite slabs descending Cougar Ridge - their encouraging cheers mixing with Tool thundering from the DJ booth - March took control of the steep undertow and finished with a time of two minutes and 30 seconds.Despite feeling a bit cold off the start, March absorbed the crowd's energy to complete the winning run."It's motivating because all of a sudden 30 feet in, for whatever reason, you're exhausted," he said. "But the crowd keeps you going for sure. You hear them yelling and cheering so you push a little harder."The mix of 48 young and experienced riders waiting to choose their lines into the spotlights impressed March. Fourteen-year-old Lauren Rosser led the way having completed the 67-kilometre Test less than 24 hours earlier, and Connor MacDougall also charged down 15-foot slabs with a solid time while spectators watched in astonishment. "We're all at the top just really proud of the kids who are coming up. We're seeing just how solid they are in their riding and in their own personal awareness, just being mentally solid. The confidence, you can see it so it's pretty cool."Previous Rock Star winner Kyle "Hercules" Ritchie placed second with a time of 2:35 and J.S. Therrien finished third at 2:40 in the locals-only race. Chad Hendren and Jeremy Allouche tied for fourth at 2:45.Meanwhile, Donna McMurtry recorded the best women's time with a 3:42 run.The fast times are partly due to outstanding upkeep by Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA) downhill director Barry McLane and president Dave Gillie, who put in over 40 hours of work on the course every year. However, Gillie said the young local riders are simply getting that much better under the veterans' tutelage."It's that the caliber of riding in Squamish is picking it up," said Gillie, who assumed the role of Rock Star race director this year. "What the old boys do the young ones are picking it up much quicker than we did so it's great."Previous race director and current sponsor Alan Ross of Tantalus Bike Shop said the race is meant to show people the other side of mountain biking to complement the buzz around Test of Metal weekend. And as the racers hurtle downwards year after year, the skill level continues to rise."The ability on average is going through the roof," he said.
