Matt Orlando

In 2013, we at Freehub sparked an idea to create a team of up-and-coming racers who possessed the skill and character necessary of flying our flag. Our hope was to provide them with a program that could allow them to develop as racers and potentially get them to the next step in their career. We covered all the bases from product support and race budgets to media outlets in both print and web, building what we thought was a winning foundation.

All photos and captions are provided by Reily Kintzele of Reil Shift Media!

All photos and captions are provided by Reily Kintzele of Reil Shift Media!

Matt Orlando on the chase and Trevor Parson in the bank. (Click photos for gallery.)

Words and Photos: Ben Gavelda
Video: Reilly Kintzele 

The folowing photo's provided by our amazing photographer Reilly Kintzele of Reil Shift Media!

All photos courtesy of Greg Tubbs at Grubworks Media Productions.

After 3 solid races at Port Angeles the Team made their way to the "man track" that is Mt. Hood. This 4 minute, high speed, rocky, rooty monster is quite the change of pace from the sub 3 minute tracks of Dry Hill. A setting where those who are truly prepared for the rigors of a DH race have the chance to shine. You must be fit, focused, smooth but none more and important than a big set of balls. Here you really have to forget about fear and simply roll the dice.

After a short break following the Underworld Cup, the team headed back to Dry Hill for the 3rd round of the NW Cup. Stoke levels were at an all time high when we arrived on Friday. A new section of the track combined with constantly changing weather conditions was sure to make for an exciting weekend. Not to mention Aaron Gwin decided to make another PNW appearance making this yet another high stakes race. Although the addition of some world cup heavy hitters provided some added pressure, practice went as it usually does.

Every year the second stop of the NW Cup plays host to a US National race that has rapidly become known as the "Underworld Cup". As Sea Otter is usually scheduled within a week of this event, it has made it convenient for Factory Teams to travel north for a bit of early season training on a proper track. But for us locals it's our one shot to see if we can best the sports biggest names on a track that we have the skill and course knowledge to contend on.

After a successful first round of the NW Cup, team members Victor Smith, Trevor Parson and myself (Matt Orlando) headed south to meet our Californian teammate Evan Geankoplis at the Sea Otter Classic. Not only was it a good excuse for a Cali trip, but It was the teams first real opportunity to gain some exposure in the industry. We also had yet to meet our sponsors, so making a good impression on and off the track was key.