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Kevin Lafortune of Saco narrowly averts a painful plunkdown while competing in the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races Sunday in Biddeford. Lafortune was turning after climbing a narrow, rock-strewn section of the course when he tipped over. He recovered to finish fifth in the Sport Veteran division.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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Richard Ruel of Biddeford climbs to the top of a huge boulder during the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races Sunday in Biddeford. Even though the rock marked the high point of the course, it wasn’t all downhill for Ruel and his fellow competitors. It was downhill, uphill, downhill, uphill some more, over, under and around on the difficult course set just outside of downtown.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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Phil Hodgkis of Gorham claws his way to the top of the mountain bike course during the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races Sunday in Biddeford. Even though the rock marked the high point of the course, it wasn’t all downhill for Ruel and his fellow competitors. It was downhill, uphill, downhill, uphill some more, over, under and around on the difficult course set just outside of downtown.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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A tired but relieved Kate Turner of Harrison crosses the finish line to win the Novice Senior Women division during the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races Sunday in Biddeford.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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Tracy Sesselberlo of Cape Elizabeth glides across the finish line in the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races Sunday in Biddeford. Her time of 1:38:04 earned her second place in the Novice Senior Women division.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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The family that races together: Philip and Helen Anderson of Waterboro push away from the starting line during a kids mountain bike race in Biddeford on Sunday. Called the Clifford Park Assault, riders came from across New England to test their skills on the hilly, rocky course just outside of downtown. The kids’ dad, David (in yellow jersey in background) had already raced, finishing third in the Sport Veteran II division, while mother Maureen would be racing later in the Novice Master class.

Photo by Rich Obrey

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Warren Roberts of Shapleigh humps his way over one – just one – of the huge rock outcroppings that challenged riders in the Clifford Park Assault mountain bike races in Biddeford on Sunday. Roberts finished second in the Novice Master division after beating himself and his bike up for an hour and 22 minutes.

Photo by Rich Obrey