Pro XCT: Missoula XC

Race favorite Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) rolling up to the line. Photo Dave McElwaine

Heather Irmiger (Subaru-Trek) riding some very tricky switchbacks. Photo Dave McElwaine

Heather Irmiger (Subaru-Trek) was thrilled with her strong 2nd place ride. Photo Dave McElwaine

Aaron Elwell shredding singletrack on a mountain called “The Wall.” Photo Dave McElwaine

Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek) hits a jump more typically seen in a downhill event. Photo Dave McElwaine

Lea Davison descends “The Wall” with the race lead and the overall Pro XCT title in hand. Photo Dave McElwaine

Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) chasing Davison on lap two. Photo Dave McElwaine

Judy Freeman (Kenda Felt) has seriously bumped up her game lately on the cross-country circuit. Photo Dave McElwaine

Krista Park (NoTubes Kenda) riding the endless switchbacks at the inaugural Missoula XC in Montana. Photo Dave McElwaine

Zephanie Blasi (NoTubes) way behind her saddle on the ultra-steep course. Photo Dave McElwaine

Missoula homeboy Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek) had the hometown advantage on Saturday. Photo Dave McElwaine

The elite men field staging for the start on a cloudless 80-degree day in Missoula, Montana. Photo Dave McElwaine

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Trek) riding in second place behind teammate Sam Schultz. Photo Dave McElwaine

Russell Finsterwald (Subaru-Trek ) riding well mid-pack. Photo Dave McElwaine

Adam Snyder (Team Jamis) being, well, Adam Snyder. Photo Dave McElwaine

It was party time for Subaru-Trek at the finish line. Photo Dave McElwaine

JHK and Sam Schultz celebrate their 1-2 finish. Photo Dave McElwaine

Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek ) takes the Pro XCT victory in his hometown of Missoula, Montana. Photo Dave McElwaine

Newly crowned Canadian national XC champ Max Plaxton (Specialized) won the overall Pro XCT series by a large margin. Photo Dave McElwaine

Lea Davison (Specialized) won the women's Missoula XC race and the 2011 overall Pro XCT series. Photo Dave McElwaine