NCS Enters Penultimate Round at Schweitzer

Rising and Established Stars Alike Shine in Sport for All Ages

Sandpoint, Idaho (July 22, 2003) As the world’s top off-road cyclists in all four disciplines of mountain biking battle for supremacy in the second half of the season, the racing this weekend, July 24-27 at the scenic Schweitzer Mountain Resort, will prove pivotal with only two of five rounds left in the 2003 NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series.

Mountain biking is a sport for all ages, as demonstrated by veterans, riders in their prime, and rising pros all making a mark among the eight categories contested at the pro level.

In the men’s downhill, Chris Kovarik (Australia, Intense/Fox) and Greg Minnar (South Africa, Haro-Lee Dungarees) stand first and second, with Dustin Adams (Canada, Giant/Peal Izumi) a close third. The consistent Kovarik should continue to pressure his rivals. Mountain Cross ace, Eric Carter, (Temecula, Ca., Mongoose-Hyundai) continues to fly the American flag, leading the series overall and recently having secured the World Cup series title in Mountain Cross. On the NORBA circuit, however, Carter is being pushed hard by one the experienced 34 year-old, Mike King (San Diego, Ca., Team Haro Lee Dungarees). The consistent Kovarik sits comfortably in third and is ever looking to move up in the standings.

In the women’s gravity categories, 37 year-old Marla Streb (Los Osos, Ca., Luna Women MTB) is in one of her best years in both Downhill (first overall) and Mountain Cross (fourth overall). Streb needs a near flawless run on the downhill course this weekend as Fionn Griffiths (Great Britain, Foes Azonic) holds second overall and is coming off a recent World Cup victory. Tracy Moseley (Great Britain, Kona Clarks) is third in the series. Excitement on the course peaks at a river-crossing jump that challenges riders to show their skills in the air. BMX champion Jill Kintner (San Jose, Ca., Staats Bikes/Fox Shox) has eased into the pro Mountain Cross ranks and leads the series ahead of second place Katrina Miller (Australia, Jamis Bicycles) and third place Sabrina Jonnier (France, Intense) who reports having an enjoyable North American campaign this summer.

In men’s Cross Country, Ryder Hesjedal (Victoria, B.C., Subaru-Gary Fisher) leads the series, with Seamus McGrath (Canada, Haro Lee Dungarees) second, and American Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colorado, RLX Ralph Lauren) third. Expect fireworks from Roland Green (Victoria, B.C., Trek Volkswagen), back on form with a recent win at Mount Snow, Vermont. Horgan-Kobelski and McGrath head the Short Track series, Australia’s Paul Rowney (Sobe-Cannondale) is third.

Mary McConneloug (Fairfax, Ca., Seven Cycles) had a breakthrough win at Mount Snow and should be considered a favorite. She is second overall in the series behind Jimena Florit (San Diego, Ca., RLX Ralph Lauren) who hails from Argentina and is in the process of gaining American citizenship. Chrissy Redden (Canada, Subaru-Gary Fisher) is in third. Women’s Short Track is led by American Susan Haywood (Trek-VW) of West Virginia who came close to victory in her home state at the third round of the NORBA series. Katerina Hanusova (Czech Republic, Luna Women MTB) is on form as she was victorious at Mount Snow and is second overall ahead of Redden.

Hosting the NCS is a natural progression for Schweitzer Mountain Resort, which is already a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest mountain biking scene, having hosted major events in the past, including Collegiate Nationals, NORBA state championship races and the Twilight Mountain Bike Race Series. Located in the panhandle of Northern Idaho and overlooking beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers mountain biking, hiking, golfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, water skiing and wake boarding in the summer and a multitude of sports in the winter. A true four-season destination resort with activities for the entire family, Schweitzer Mountain will also provide live music Friday and Saturday and a special mountain bike movie to be screened at Sandpoint’s Panida Theatre.

The NORBA National Championships Mountain Bike Series is North America's premier off-road cycling series. The series crowns USA Cycling's Mountain Bike Champions. USA Cycling is the national governing body for cycle sport. GaleForce Sports Marketing is the series management and promotions company, and is recognized as the USA's leading cycling and events management group.