July 18, 2003 (Sandpoint, Idaho) – An established summer destination for off-road cyclists and an outdoor enthusiastÃs dream, Schweitzer Mountain will host the fourth round of the NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series July 24-27. Past the halfway point of the 2003 race season, the series has seen hard-fought battles, breakthrough performances and courageous tenacity by the worldÃs top riders. While Pro/Elite athletes from around the globe seek valuable points and prestige in preparation for the series championship finals in the four disciplines of Cross Country, Short Track, Downhill and Mountain Cross, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers spectacular racing for all levels of competitor.
Hosting the NCMBS is a natural progression for Schweitzer Mountain Resort as it is a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest off-road cycling scene and has hosted Collegiate Nationals, NORBA state championship races, and for the past seven years the NORBA regional championships. The popular Twilight Mountain Bike Race Series also takes place there during the summer months.
A pre-race pro rider visit to Spokane by the 2002 NORBA NCMBS winner and current cross country leader, Jimena Florit, of the RLX Ralph Lauren team, will take place Wed July 23, 2003, 5-6 pm at the Bicycle Butler cycle store, 6520 N. Ash Street, Spokane, Wa. Tel: 509.328.7475. Ms. Florit will sign autographs and talk about being a pro mountain bike star.
On race weekend, spectators will once again be able to see the Pro/Elite categories race over two days as both Pro/Elite men and women will race the Cross Country course at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Like the resort itself, the course is diverse and embodies all that is Cross Country with a combination of wooded sections, technical singletrack descents, twisting switchback climbs, stream crossings and roughly 800 feet of elevation gain per lap. The crowd-pleasing Mountain Cross finals will take place Saturday evening at 4:30 p.m. and will run directly off of Main Mountain Lodge providing incredible spectator access and viewing.
On Sunday, Pro/Elite women will race the Short Track at 12:30 p.m. with the men toeing the start line at 1:00 p.m. The course starts in the Village area and winds throughout the resort allowing spectators the unique ability to view the race from the comfort of their hotel room. Women's Downhill finals will start at 2:00 p.m. with the men set for 2:30p.m. Look for finish times to hover at five minutes for the 1.5 mile course that includes crossing a mountain stream via a jump over the water.
The Shimano Kids Race is scheduled for 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, allowing families to enjoy a full day of mountain biking. Amateur Mountain Cross will be featured Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. with amateur Expert Short Track to take place 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
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 SandpointÃs 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.