Trek World Racing's Brook MacDonald Scores Podium in Port Angeles

All three Trek World Racing riders finished in the top 12 in a classy field that many felt made this event feel like a mini World Cup. Ironically named the Underworld Cup, the race in Port Angeles is fast becoming the best pre-World Cup season event in North America for the top riders to test their speed and equipment on a track that's lined with spectators. Rain on Saturday packed the dust down and made for ideal racing conditions.

After seeding 3rd and 5th respectively on Saturday, Brook MacDonald and Neko Mulally were certainly in the hunt for podium spots but both made small errors that cost them time on a track that is very much about braking points and perfect lines. Brook's mistake came halfway through his run, and despite managing to stay on course, the chance for a win went out the window but he was still happy to salavage a podium.

Neko made his error early in the run and spent a good part of the rest of his race trying to make up for it, but this track doesn't really allow for that.

Neko said: "Port Angeles is a race that's growing each year and has a lot of World Cup level competition. It's a great place to see where you stack up on a real track early in the season. I was really happy with my seeding run and wanted to find that little bit more time in the final to be a front runner. I pushed for that extra time but ended up forcing a few mistakes and falling short of my expectations. Times were really close and I am happy with where I finished up regardless. With another 5 weeks until the World Cups start, I'm still building speed."

Neko's 9th place was just 0.7secs off the podium. Team mate Greg Williamson who injured his ankle earlier in the week, felt good for the race and despite blowing some corners with over excitement, ended up 12th, 0.9secs off Neko.

The organizers in Port Angeles are great hosts, take great care of the Pro Athletes and this shows with the growing entry list every year and amazing spectator turn out. The team will be back for sure in 2014.

Next up, Neko and Brook will be racing on the East Coast, so look out for them in Duryea, Mountain Creek and Plattekill. Greg returns to the UK to race the Britsh DH Series Round 2 in Fort William. George Brannigan is back on his DH bike and getting ready for his race debut in Innerleithen, Scotland, end of next month.