Steve DeGrange, of Westfield competes in the 2013 Eastern States Cup Competition. (Photo courtesy of Roots & Rain)
WESTFIELD – While many Motocross riders will be enjoying their final ride at Nationals at MotoX338 in Southwick this weekend, one local ex-MotoX rider is making a name for himself in a sport of a similar kind.
Steve DeGrange, 36, of Westfield, is an ex-Motocross rider, having raced the sport for nearly 15 years and earned expert status. But for the last two years he has turned his attention to extreme downhill mountain biking.
Last Sunday, DeGrange was rewarded for all his success with a first place finish among 30-39-year-old men in Category 3 of the 2013 Eastern States Cup’s Round 5 at Mount Snow, Vermont.
DeGrange maneuvered his Intense M9 bike over steep, rocky terrain in a time of 4:18.48, faster than some experts and professionals competing in the event.
“It was a really fun track,” DeGrange said. “There are jumps, cliffs, rocks – it’s pretty extreme, and it is fun.
It was the fifth event in a series of 12 which includes competitions at Mountain Creek, N.J., Plattekill, N.Y., Pats Peak, N.H., and Sugarbrush, VT. Upcoming races include other locations such as Killington, VT, Attitash, N.H., Sunday Rivers, Maine, and Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts.
“Every mountain offers different terrain,” DeGrange said. “Some locations are rocky, some are fast, some are slow with more jumps, and others have cliffs.”
DeGrange began racing BMX at a very young age, jumped into Motocross, and now, participates in downhill racing.
“I took a break from racing Motocross,” he said. “I’ve always been into bikes. I just fell in love with it ever since. I’m challenging myself every day.”
DeGrange said although he no longer races Motocross, he is not immune to the recent happenings at Southwick’s beloved track.
“I don’t like it,” he said of the plans to close what has become nationally known around Motocross circuits as “The Sandbox.” “I’m bummed out. I’ve been going there every single year since I was a kid. It’s disappointing.”
DeGrange was born in Southwick but now lives in Westfield. An electrician for Elm Electric for the past 15 years, he said he has aspirations to become an “expert” downhill racer, and even more.
“I’m going to try real hard,” he said, noting his daily regimen of three-mile runs and healthy eating. “I have goals to become an expert and ultimately pro. I want to be healthy and ride smart.”
A smart race is what earned DeGrange a first-place ranking in the Eastern States Cup’s Fifth Round at Mount Snow, Vermont.
“My time was so fast that I almost finished in the pro class,” he said. “I want to be in that class.”
His feat appeared to have turned some heads.
DeGrange was approached by Flat Line Racing to ride on a race team following his recent success. That will allow him the access of sponsors, free parts for his bike, and apparel. Naturally, he accepted.
DeGrange is slated to attend the Independence Weekend Bike Gathering in Plattekill, NY, on July 7. He hopes to return there again on Oct. 13 for the Eastern Regional Championship Final.
