This weekend delivered all of it - 1-2-3 X 2

3Cats Cycling
Apr 28
4 min read

3 Cats Racing junior cycling team sophomore boys go 1-2-3 X 2 at largest junior-only USA Cycling race series in the country

Cyclist in a blue jersey and helmet flashes a TWO sign, smiling in front of a race crowd. "VAHS LEADER" text visible; Nathan Brannock, 3 Cats Racing

The VAHS MTB Series is not just a race—it is the largest junior-only USA Cycling race series in the country. For young riders from first grade through high school, it offers a professional-grade atmosphere that blends high-speed intensity with a massive, supportive community.

And Stokesville has a way of turning those typical VAHS festival vibes up to 11.

The tents go up. Hammocks appear like a floating village in the trees. Somewhere between the first round of rain and the last lap of racing, it all starts to feel like exactly where we’re supposed to be.

This weekend delivered all of it.

Sophomore Boys

Our junior mountain bike team didn't race as 3 Cats. They raced as their high school teams because that is what we do at VAHS. But it doesn't matter at all, 3 Cats' Sophomore Boys set the pace early and swept the podium 1-2-3 again. They raced smart and gave everything from start to finish. Nathan hit the gas right away and stretched the field.

Behind him, things got interesting fast. Mat had what should have been a race-ending moment right off the start—a popped BOA dial. Normally, that kind of issue means a long jog back to the pit. Instead, he pulled off a mechanical miracle, fixed it on the fly—DURING THE STARTING SPRINT—and never lost contact.

From there, it turned into a full-gas chess match between Mat and Owen. They leapfrogged, countered, and refused to give an inch. It all came down to a sprint at the line. It was intense, but ten seconds later, everyone was goofing off and grinning.

Middle School A - Boys

In Middle School A, Seth rode his way to the line with purpose, showing the kind of composure that’s easy to forget at that age but impossible to miss when it’s there.

Middle School A - Girls

Lia put together a strong, steady ride, the kind that builds momentum lap after lap and keeps you moving forward no matter what the course throws at you.

Varsity Girls

And then there’s Sam.

Sam went out and crushed it. No excuses. No backing off. She raced with broken ribs and maybe picked up a few more. You forget she’s still a junior. She’s the leader every team hopes for. CRC athletes chased her through the woods to the line, cheering for their favorite coach and cheerleader.

Off the course, Stokesville did what it always does. Rain rolled through. The ground turned to a mix of slick roots and questionable decisions. Nobody really minded. Parents gathered. Kids disappeared into the woods and reappeared at night. The place took on that frenetic rhythm that somehow just works.

We met a few new riders and families. There’s something building here. Stokesville makes it all feel real.

At the end of it all, maybe the results matter a little bit. They are training to get faster and stronger, and to meet their goals. But more than that, it’s the way this team shows up for each other and every other racer. They race for each other and still find time to laugh in the middle of the melee that is Stokesville. As I sit and reflect on this last year, I’m so grateful I was able to play bike race one more time with everyone on 3 Cats Racing. I deeply hope we get to continue this journey together. No ProTour dreams this time—just the joy of being part of a team that celebrates everything together.

Fast races. Tough conditions. Incredible junior athletes. A lot to be proud of - for all of us.

Now, on to the next one.