SHAUMS MARCH MADNESS
Shaums March charged to a fourth-place finish in the Red Bull Rampage in 2002
Downhill racer Shaums March was said to be the first African-American to win a NORBA* national pro event in mountain biking. Around 20 years ago, Shaums was one of the premier riders in North America in both downhill and dual slalom, combining top-notch speed and skills with world-class style.
Shaums March was one of the world’s top downhill riders who was invited to compete in the Red Bull Rampage in 2002. You can read on to find out how he finished in the event.
Shaums went on on to win two World Championship titles in the UCI Masters division after he left the pro ranks. He doesn’t remember what years he won the two Worlds’ titles, but he thinks he won them around 2006 or 2007.
Today, Shaums owns his own mountain bike coaching business and lives in Bellingham, Washington.
Here’s what we said in the caption, written over 20 years ago: “Drop zone: Plummeting toward a scree slope of rocks and sand, the ever-stylish Shaums March makes the most of his pro downhill skills in the second running of the Red Bull Rampage. Five years from now, this could be the biggest event in mountain biking.”
The above picture of Shaums appeared as a full-page photo in the February 2003 issue of Mountain Bike Action.
Shaums put together one of the most impressive rides of the day in the second running of the Red Bull Rampage to finish fourth in the finals, beating Kyle Strait by two places.
Red Bull Rampage, Final Results
October 12-13, 2002
Score
1. Tyler Klassen, Canada 79.6
2. Cédric Gracia, France, 76.2
3. Darren Berrecloth, Canada 75.4
4. Shaums March, Canada 75.0
5. Dave Watson, Canada 73.0
6. Kyle Strait, United States 72.2
7. Richey Schley, Canada 71.4
8. Lance Canfield, United States 70.8
9. Thomas Vanderham, Canada 66.4
10. Robbie Bourdon, Canada 63.2
11. Andrew Mills, Australia, 61.4
12. Chris O’Driscoll, United States 59.4
*National Off-Road Bicycling Association
To learn more about Shaums, click here: https://icp.bike/our_team/shaums-march-2-2-2/
