November 11, 2006 (Nanaimo, B.C.) — The forecast for today’s 2006 National Cyclocross Championships in Nanaimo, B.C. calls for showers, mud and lots of fast, cross action. The 2.8-kilometre course was boggy for yesterday’s pre-ride, as a series of rain storms have hit the Canadian west coast in the past week, dumping near-record amounts of precipitation. The National Championship loop, located in Beban Park close to Nanaimo’s downtown, promises to be a tough battle, requiring riders to be technically strong, super fit and ready to let it all hang out on some pretty sketchy terrain, including muddy ruts, a BMX track and off-camber slopes.

The Elite Men’s race will receive a new National Champion, as last year’s winner, Peter Wedge (NB) Kona, is not in attendance. Race favourites include 2004 National Cyclocross Champ Geoff Kabush (BC, Maxxis), Pan Am MTB Championship silver medalist Mathieu Toulouse (QC, Maxxis), Euro-based “˜cross specialist Greg Reain (ON, Stevens) and former U23 “˜Cross National Champion Andrew Pinfold (BC, Symmetrics).

The Elite Women’s race is anticipated to be a battle between local favourite Wendy Simms (BC, Velo Bella-Kona) and defending champ Lyne Bessette (QC, Cyclocrossworld.com). Both have two National Cyclocross titles to their names: Simms in 2003 and 2004 and Bessette in 2002 and 2005.

The U23 Men’s race could come down to number one seed Dave Brooks (SK, Gigabike) and Kyle Douglas (ON, 3 Rox Racing), who has been racing at the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross this season.

North Vancouver’s Graeme Bant (BC, Rocky Mountain-Different Bikes) has been diligently preparing for the championship race by pre-riding the course earlier this month. Kevin Thorpe (BC, Devo) won the junior race at Seattle’s Star Crossed in September and is expected to be in good form.

Cross Nats organizer, Normon Thibault, will be out defending his title in the Master 30-39 Men’s race. Peter Toth (AB, ERTC) is a definite favourite in the Master 40-49 Men’s category. In the Master 50+ Men’s race, Nels Guloien (BC, Sugoi-Giant) may be the one to beat. Nicola Mann (WA, TiCycles-Avanti) is fit and on-track to take the title in the Master Women’s Category.

Championship category racing starts at 9:15 a.m. local time (12:15 p.m. EST) with the Masters. The Espoir Men take off at 12:45 p.m. (3:45 p.m. EST), Elite Women and Junior Men go at 1:45 p.m. (4:45 p.m. EST), and the Elite Men launch off the start line at 2:45 p.m. (5:45 p.m. EST)