07.15.10 - Canmore, Alberta Is Set To Welcome Canada’s Best Mountain Bikers


Nearly 400 mountain bikers ready to shine at the Nation’s Top mountain bike event

(Canmore, AB – July 15, 2010) The 2010 Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) National Mountain Bike Championships will take place this upcoming weekend, on July 17th and July 18th, 2010 at The Canmore Nordic Center in Alberta, where nearly 400 Mountain bikers will ride to become Canada’s best.

The Canmore Nordic Center is a prestigious and internationally renowned venue that is a regular stop on the cross-country skiing World Cup circuit and in the past, has hosted mountain bike World Cups.

Riders will hit the 7km course loop that includes portions used in previous mountain bike World Cups and features new technical sections with very indicative names such as Eye Dropper, Mad Handler and Laundry Chutes, to name a few.

This will be a top-level challenge for riders in preparation for the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships held on Canadian soil this upcoming September in Mont Sainte-Anne, Québec.

As the host country of the World Championships, Canada is entitled to greater number of riders representing their country in September. As a qualifying event for the selection pool, the National Championships will definitely be an extra incentive to do well for all cyclists involved in these Championships.

However, the main goals for Canada’s' top riders this upcoming weekend will be the coveted “Red and White” jersey of the Canadian National Champion, the UCI points and the prize money involved in the Elite category.

“This event is a great opportunity for all mountain bike riders to showcase their talent to National team coaches. We are expecting top-notch riding from all the competitors,” said Mathieu Boucher, Director of Development for the Canadian Cycling Association. “As we are getting closer to the Worlds, everyone will be looking to step up their intensity on the mountain, which will make it a great event for all spectators in attendance.”

The U17 and junior riders will be the first in action on Saturday morning as of 9am and then U23 and Elite women will hear the start pistol sound off around 11:45 a.m. The U23 and Elite men will start their race for the national title at 2:30 p.m.

The Elite categories will showcase Canada's Olympic heroes such as Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, QC (Maxxis Rocky Mountain Bicycles), silver medalist from the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. Prémont will be looking to win a seventh title in eight years.

On the men’s side, two-time Olympian Geoff Kabush of Courtenay, BC (Maxxis Rocky Mountain Bicycles), seeks to win the “red and white jersey” for the eight time.

On Sunday, it will be a day of intense racing with many categories in the National Challenge pool competing in the morning. The weekend of competing will come to a close Sunday afternoon with the title races in the Masters categories.

The two day event is hosted in joint collaboration between the Rundle Mountain Bike Club of Canmore, AB and the Alberta Bicycle Association, under the governance of the Canadian Cycling Association.

Over 100 dedicated volunteers, key to any cycling event delivery in Canada, are expected to provide their help and expertise to ensure the event runs smoothly.

During the weekend event, the Town of Canmore, Alberta and the Canmore Nordic Center will become a hub of activities for the whole family.

Results will posted live on the web at www.zone4.ca.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY, JULY 17TH
National Championship – XC
U17 15-16 W/F
U17 15-16 M/H
Junior 17-18 W/F
Junior 17-18 M/H
U23 19-22 W/F
Elite 19 + W/F
U23 19-22 M/H
Elite 19 + M/H

Little Ziggy – Kids Race
1:45pm – 2:30pm

SUNDAY, JULY 18TH
National Challenge – XC
Novice Youth U15 (13-14) – W/F
Novice Youth U15 (13-14) – M/H
Sport Youth U15 (13-14) – W/F
Sport Youth U15 (13-14) – M/H
Novice (17+) – W/F
Novice (17+) – M/H
Sport (17+) – W/F
Sport (17+) – M/H
Expert (17+) – W/F
Expert (17+) – M/H

National Championship – XC
Master Expert 30-39 W/F
Master 40 + W/F
Master 50 + M/H
Master Expert 40-49 M/H
Master Expert 30-39 M/H