Seven riders from the Gear Grinders, Bainbridge Island’s high school- and middle school-level mountain bike teams, made it to the winners’ platform after the first mountain bike race of the season.

The team raced 41 riders in the first statewide competition of the season, held April 14 at Peninsula 360 Park in Port Orchard.

The kickoff event is part of the four race series of the Washington Student Cycling League, and the league operates mountain bike racing for girls and boys from grades 6 through 12.

The Gear Grinders’ high school team finished third overall in the state and placed four riders on the winners’ platform, with Will Siebert taking second in his category, Cole Albee finishing third in his category, Mickie Wilkinson claiming fifth in his category, and for a big win of the day, Red Sheets snagging fourth in her category in her first mountain bike race ever.

The middle school team finished fourth overall in the state and placed three riders. Jackson Stoehr won first place in his category, Milo McIntosh placed third in his category, and Lu Apel won second place in her category.

The Gear Grinders had many other strong finishes overall with an additional three riders (Xin Munson, Erin Thackeray, and Jacob Spinak) rolling to sixth place, just of short of the winners’ platform.

All 41 riders rode hard and had a lot of fun, team officials said.

The next race is the Battle of the Base Ride on Sunday, May 5 in Dupont.

More information on the Gear Grinders teams and the league can be found at geargrinders.org and washingtonleague.org.