The 2008 Mountain States Cup headed to Snowmass, Colorado, for the “Blast the Mass” racing weekend, the fifth event of the Colorado-based racing series. With the National Mountain Bike Series not hosting an stop at Snowmass this year, the Blast the Mass race marked the largest off-road racing event to be held at the Colorado venue this season.

Numbers in the pro category were down over last year with many riders opting to compete in the weekend's NMBS round at Windham, New York. A smattering of Colorado-based talent did show up to compete on Snowmass’ trails.

Taking the women’s race was Colorado-based Australian Dellys Starr (Dale’s Pale Ale), who rode to a commanding win over Kelley Mattingly (Rocky Mountain Racing). Next month Starr is heading to Beijing as her country’s sole representative in the sport of cross-country racing.

The Mountain Cross saw recently crowned world champion Melissa Buhl (KHS) ride her rainbow stripes to victory ahead of Colorado’s Neven Steinmetz (Totally Wired). Yeti’s Colorado-based strongman Ross Milan, who has spent much of 2008 racing and training in Europe, took the men’s victory ahead of Petr Hanak (Totally Wired).

Cross-country
Men
1. Jay Henry, Tokyo Joe’s, 2:14:30;
2. Brian Smith, Trek-Volkswagen, at 0:13;
3. Brian Fuentes, Waltworks/Fuentes Design, at 7:44;
4. Matthew Beaton, Tokyo Joe’s, at 8:20;
5. Brett Morgan, Sobe-Cannondale, at 9:20

Women
1. Dellys Starr (Aus), Dale Pale Ale/Spot, 2:07:59;
2. Kelley Mattingly, Rocky Mountain Racing, at 1:48;
3. Erin Huck, Tokyo Joe’s, at 10:46;
4. Amanda Carey, Kenda-Titus-Hayes, at 10:54;
5. Melissa Marts, Tough Girl/Contessa, at 17:01

Mountain Cross
Men
1. Ross Milan, Yeti-Fox
2. Petr Hanak, Totally Wired
3. Jonathan Watt, Bikeparts.com
4. Erik Nelson, Thor-Michelin
5. Blake Carney, Fly/Marzocchi

Women
1. Melissa Buhl, KHS
2. Neven Steinmetz, Totally Wired
3. Christen Boyer, High Society Freeride
4. Darian Harvey, Sobe-Cannondale
5. Rachel Bauer, Dead Bros

Downhill
Men
1. Aaron Gwin, Yeti-Fox, 4:05.47;
2. Justin Leov (NZ), Yeti-Fox, 4:05.61;
3. Sam Blenkinsop (NZ), Yeti-Fox, 4:09.49;
4. Cody Warren, Specizlized/Decline, 4:12.98;
5. Jonty Neethling (SA), Oakley/Morewood, 4:19.08

Women
1. Melissa Buhl, KHS, 4:56.92;
2. Rachel Bauer, Dead Bros, 5:12.02;
3. Darian Harvey, Sobe-Cannondale, 5:22.39;
4. Stephanie Hatalsky, Crested Butte Academy, 6:20.20;
5. Lisa Reinhard, Ampd Racing, 6:32.67