Smithers downhill mountain bike racer Dylan Marek recently finished up his first season racing in the provincial B.C. Cup series, and ended up in a respectable fourth place in the U17 Sport Men division. More impressive is the fact he placed fourth while only racing in five of seven possible events over the course of the summer.
Marek said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people, and that he learned a lot by watching the elite class races as well.
“It was really fun, I really enjoyed it,” he said. “It really opened doors for me.”
Marek took part in races in Kamloops, Bear Mountain, Panorama, Golden and Hemlock Valley this year. Although it wasn’t his best finish, he said the course at the Western Open in Golden was a highlight.
“I didn’t have the greatest run, but it was a great course, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
Next year Marek will move up to the Junior Sport Men category, competing as the youngest in his age group. He hopes training over the winter will help him compete in the tougher division.
Marek was driven around the province all summer by his dad, who took the opportunity to compete in one of the events as well.
“I wanted to do one race with my son this year,” said Dave Marek.
Dylan offered a bit of a compliment on his father’s performance, noting that “he did the last race at Hemlock, and he didn’t get last.”