Two high-profile disqualifications resulted in the introduction of a brand-new royal court at the Yukon mountain bike championships yesterday.

Past champions David Gonda and Jonah Clark both raced past some trail markers early in the race held at Mount McIntyre, shaving about 1.3 kms off the 45-kilometre route.

While the duo finished one-two, they were ultimately disqualified, propelling third-place cyclist Craig Machtans to his first Yukon title.

Machtans earned King of the (Rocky) Canyon honours, crossing the finish line in 2:48:33. The former Yellowknife resident was eventually joined in the royal court by queen Kristenn Magnusson, and short-course winners prince Fabien Florentin and princess Miriam Lukszova.

The season-ending King of the Canyon race is usually held on the Grey Mountain trails, but was moved for the first time to Mount McIntyre as organizers attempted to give competitors a new challenge.

“This was a total surprise,” the 45-year-old Machtans said of his win.

“David and Jonah are faster riders, so I would have expected them to win, but I guess that’s how it goes with the course markings. I’m just thrilled that it worked out.

“I just kept my own pace and tried to ride for myself, and I guess it worked out in the end.”

In a message on the club’s website this morning, organizers admitted the trails could have been “flagged more clearly,” and also thanked the disqualified racers for showing class and respect given the circumstances.

The 26-year-old Gonda crossed the finish line a full 10 minutes ahead of Machtans, but was the first to admit he deserved disqualification.

“It was my fault for taking the wrong trail,” he told the Star. “I feel a little bad for Jonah because he was following me. People get disqualified at the highest level of races too. It’s just one of those things.”

Clark, 37, pulled his single-speed bike into action for the event, noting he was simply out for a fun ride. He said riding a bike with one gear helps simplify the riding experience.

“People will think because it only has one gear that you’re not going to be as fast as somebody with gears, but you don’t realize that a lot people spend a lot of time shifting around on their gears, wasting time shifting gears, putting themselves in the wrong gear ... If you’ve just got one, all you’ve got to do is work with it and just focus on trying to ride.”

As for the disqualification?

“Whatever,” said Clark. “It’s not the Olympics.”

Magnusson was the first female to finish the long course with a time of 3:11:04. She said a steady pace pushed her to victory.

She said she finally took the lead two kms from the finish, when she finally overtook eventual runner-up Meagan Wilson.

“There was some technical terrain, which is sort of my forte, I think,”said Magnusson, 37. “I was pleasantly surprised to come upon her and be able to make the pass. I do feel proud of the accomplishment.”

Florentin and Lukszova were the top male and female finishers on the shorter 25-km course.

Florentin, who finished in 1:36:24, said he had to speed through in order to make it home in time to babysit.

“It was just for fun,” the 38-year-old said post-race. “I’m lazy and cannot do the 45 klicks ... I’m just happy to finish it.”

Meanwhile, Lukszova completed the route in 1:50:52 and said she bikes the Mount McIntyre trails often.

“I know the trails,” the 33-year-old said. “I play here. They’re not super technical, but are really fun single track.”

All riders started the race at the Dirt N’ Soul bike park, cycling a hot lap on the double track to help riders jockey for position.

The event, which finished in a light rain, also doubled as the finale of the Yukon Dirt Rush series hosted by the Contagious Mountain Bike Club.

On Saturday, Michael Abbott and Martina Knopp were the ‘A’ course male and female winners of the Canyon Mountain Crusher enduro race held at Grey Mountain and Mount McIntyre.

David Pharand and Magnusson were the top ‘B’ course riders.

Enduro races see cyclists timed only during downhill sections, while the watch is stopped for transition time.

Last weekend, cyclists headed to Carcross for the first enduro race of the Dirt Rush Series held at Montana Mountain.

Clark won the open men’s division there, while Sierra van der Meer took the open women’s title.

Van der Meer, the president of the local mountain bike club, is on a roll, coming off her win at the Single Speed World Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, last month.

Thane Phillips earned the overall series award for riding his Trance Advanced cross-country all-mountain bike in all three events.