July 8, 2006 (Vancouver, BC) – Round one of the UXC II online voting is coming to a close and it is time to prepare for round two. The second set of rider videos and bios will be online at www.raceface.com, and the second round voting begins Saturday July 8.

Each team has its own unique story, and each its own inspiration. For the Whistler, BC, female team of Lesley Clements and Nikki Klassen, “The Uncivil Servants”; it’s the bond of a six year friendship and their shared passion for adventure, training and the sport mountain biking that motivates them to cross some of the most rugged terrain in North America on a mountain bike.

Rich Dillen and Josh Neely make up “Bad Idea Racing.” These guys are single speed fiends from Charlotte, North Carolina and have made the promise to be the first two man team to complete the TransRockies riding with one gear. Rich brings the experience of being the first individual to complete the Trans Rockies with a single speed. These guys are crazy!

Mexico City, Mexico’s Guillermo Cuello and Rodrigo Elvira of Team Miti Batai bring there spirit and enthusiasm to the most challenging mountain bike race in the world. These guys are used to the extreme conditions after racing in some of the hottest and most humid areas in the world, like Costa Rica and Mexico.

Carey Lowery and John “Zeke” Lilly, of Athens, Tennessee and Blue Ridge, Georgia form The Kudzu Mafia. These team mates are long time riding and training partners and are definitely ready for the stiff challenge of the Trans Rockies. Zeke is a retired school principal and Carey is a single mom these two are an impressive team and have what it takes to survive the challenge.

Online community members will have one week to submit their vote. The winning team will be the second of two teams who will represent Race Face at the 2006 TransRockies.

The Ultimate XC Challenge II is an online, peer-judged contest, in a format similar to Race Face’s wildly successful Ultimate Freeride Challenge (UFC). The UXC II will result in Race Face sending two teams of two riders to compete in the 2006 TransRockies, with all expenses paid — between flights, accommodations, components, clothing, team support and entry fees to the contest, value to the winners is over $10,000 per team!

Winners of the Ultimate XC Challenge II will be announced on July 15, giving the winners a few extra weeks to train and rest for the Trans Rockies.

In the weeks leading up to the TransRockies and throughout the seven day, 373 mile race, visitors to the Race Face website will be able to learn more about the teams and follow their progress through daily updates from Race Face support teams.

To vote for your favorite team follow the link:
http://www.raceface.com/community/uxc

About Race Face Performance Products:
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Race Face Performance Products designs and manufactures leading-edge performance cycling components, clothing and protection. Race Face products are distributed in more than 30 countries. The company sponsors a number professional teams and riders and is the creator of the Ultimate Freeride Challenge on-line freeride competition. For more information, visit www.raceface.com.

For more information on the UXC II please contact:

Ken Maude, ext. 263
kenm@raceface.com