Obye named U23 National XC Champion


Obye had a great ride this morning, as his lead increased with each lap.
September 24, 2004 (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) -- Alan Obye (Mendon, Vt.) dominated the cross-country course this morning at Mammoth Mountain to win the first ever U23 National Cross-Country Championship. Twenty men lined up for three laps totaling 27 miles, and one lone woman – Caitlyn Tuel (Lyndell, Pa.) – toed the line for two laps to become the Women’s U23 National Champion.

A determined Obye took a commanding lead in the first lap and set a fast pace, causing the field to quickly spread out. Obye’s teammate on the U23 National squad – Nick Waite (Davis, W.Va.) joined Alex Hagman (Durango, Colo.) and Andy Schultz (Missoula, Mont.) to form a talented and determined group of chasers. As Obye went through the feed zone going into lap two, he had at least a one minute gap over the three.

“I got to the bottom of the first descent and couldn’t see anybody,” Obye commented after his win. “I was a little nervous on the first lap because it seemed early in the race to have a gap that big.”

Behind the village, spectators could see the riders ascending the climb that would bring them back around the west loop and into the start/finish area. Obye was seen increasing his lead as Waite and Hagman dropped Schultz in their continued pursuit of the leader. At the end of lap two, Obye still had a substantial lead while Hagman had gotten away from Waite, who was trying to hold onto third while Andy Schultz was not far behind in fourth. “I felt like I was climbing strong and riding the descents clearly,” the leader remarked.


Hagman, Waite, and Schultz were a determined chase group.
The riders were very spaced out going into the big climb on the final lap, illustrating the incredible pace Obye was setting at the front for the entire race. The 21-year-old Vermont native maintained his amazing gap and crossed the line to claim top honors ahead of Hagman, who made a very strong effort today. Schultz passed Waite during lap three to claim the bronze, while Waite and Brent Bookwalter (Comstock Park, Mi.) secured the final spots on the podium in fourth and fifth respectively.

Obye’s win today brings a remarkable end to the debut year of the U23 National Mountain Bike Team. This week also marks Obye’s final races in the U23 category, as he will turn 23 in 2005.

Men’s U23 Cross-Country Results
1. Alan Obye
2. Alex Hagman
3. Andy Schultz
4. Nick Waite
5. Brent Bookwalter

Check out pictures of all the action from today’s race here.


This Article Published September 24, 2004 For more information contact: