The MtbRaceNews article stated it perfectly: "Tingey sprinted out to an early lead and never looked back putting her competition and recent struggles on the ProXCT circuit behind her". That was a perfect statement, I've finally left my struggles behind. I'm on fire and ready to race at the top of my game! I won with 4.5 minute gap!

This is my 5th season racing the Intermountain Cup. However, the only time I've raced at Snowbird was in 2010. The podium looked pretty similar then (KC, Sarah, Erika and me). This turned out to be a very good race for me. I wasn't sure I would able to make it to the race since my son had his tonsils out just a few days ago. He's been miserable and I've been waking up in the night with him. Saturday morning at 7:30 I decided he was well enough to leave so I packed up and drove to the race!

I brought both bikes since I wasn't sure what the course was (they have changed it in the past few years, but it turns out it wasn't that different). Right from the start line I took off up the climb and never looked back. I wasn't sure how big my gap was so I kept pedaling like there was someone right there. My Jamis Dakota D29 Team (hardtail) was the perfect bike for the course, lots of climbing and no real technical portions that I'd need a dropper or full suspension on. My Dakota D29 weighs in just barely over 19 pounds. I had more than a few people want to lift up my bike on Saturday to see how light it was. It's an advantage for sure!

Since I switched bikes at the last minute I ended up racing on my Stan's NoTubes Race Golds (instead of my Valors which were on my Jamis Dakar XCR Team). I liked the feeling of the Race Golds in the corners, just a slightly softer material that is slightly more forgiving. Can you guess the tires I was running? The Saguaros of course! I use them 90% of the time! My custom ESIgrips are still in great condition and I get asked about my custom colors on them all the time, including on Saturday.

KC, Jen, Erica, Sarah, Sienna

Some of very favorite women I race with (KC Holley isn't shown here, she was still riding-typical for her!). These are the original women I started racing with in 2010. I consider each one a dear friend and could go on for days about their strengths. The fact that every one of them is still out there racing is amazing, they've had accidents and sicknesses that would sideline almost anyone. But not these gals. They've come back stronger. I couldn't be an luckier to call these women my friends.
Erica, Sarah, Jen, Erika (KC-not pictured)