Congratulations to Grass Valley's own Chris Thibodeau on his recent win at the world championships of mountian biking held in Granby, Colorado. Thibodeau won the national championship title in the Open class and the Super Downhill in the 19 to 29 year old class and his former teacher at Union Hill school, Chuck Ross. came in 2nd in the 40 to 49 class. Thibodeau explained to KNCO how he teamed up with his former teacher, "Chuck was my 8th grade teacher back in 1999.  He was new to the school.  He was a young teacher.  Obviously he was very much involved in mountain biking at the time as well, and wanted to start a club and asked me if I knew anybody that would be interested in starting a mountain bike club at Union Hill.  Of course I was the first volunteer so that's kind of how the mountain bike club started, and it's still going today after over ten years, so that was very cool."
So what is next for Thibodeau?  "The main thing is focusing on next year, and to go back to the national championships and try and defend one more time, Definitely improve in the cross country.  I'd like to improve my strength in some other areas as well. so, not just primarily Super D, but finish better in some cross country races, short track races.  There's a whole bunch of disciplines in mountain biking, just try and improve."
Chris Thibidough lives in Grass Valley and works at Mount Saint Mary's school while he trains at Empire Mine.