Defending downhill national champion Aaron Gwin (Yeti Fox Factory) kept his stars and stripes for another year when he won the elite men's final in Granby, Colorado, on Sunday afternoon. In the last event of the championships, Gwin, who also qualified fastest, defeated Duncan Riffle (DRR / Giantnerd) and John Swanguen (Intnese/Troy Lee).

"My run was good," said Gwin, who is a regular on the World Cup circuit. "I made one major mistake right before the big jumps and lost all of my speed and freaked myself out. The course was more of a sprint than a World Cup. It was shorter and there was nowhere for a break."

Gwin had helped prepare himself for racing at altitude by spending time at elevation prior to the big day.

Second-year pro Swanguen noted how the track had deteriorated from qualifying in the morning until the final in the afternoon. "There were lots of loose rocks kicked out in the trail, but overall, the track was good."

Cody Warren (Specialized), who had held the hot spot as 11 more riders went - until Swanguen took it from him - was fourth while Geritt Beytagh (Morewood Bikes USA) finished fifth.