May 22, 2006 – A raft of rule and schedule changes across all disciplines in the current NORBA National Mountain Bike Series has become necessary as a result of the recent relocation of the National Mountain Bike Championships from Mammoth, Calif. to the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. on July 14-16.

USA Cycling and the National Mountain Bike Series have devised these changes to reflect a new, condensed, series schedule.

The event relocation was necessary because of unusually deep and persistent snow on the ground at Mammoth Mountain.

Athletes and journalists are requested to refer to the revised series schedule below to view the events scheduled for each venue.

The Cross Country (XC) Series will now consist of six events with one race drop allowed in any race except the cross country finals in Snowmass, CO. Racers must have a total of five finishes – four plus a finish at the finals in Snowmass – to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women

The Downhill (DH) Series will now consist of seven events with two race drops allowed in any two races except the downhill finals in Snowmass, CO. Racers must have a total of five finishes — four finishes plus a finish at the finals in Snowmass — to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women.

The Marathon (MA) Series will now consist of four events with no race drops allowed. The four finishes must include the Marathon finals in Brian Head, UT. Racers must finish all four races to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women.

The Gated Event (DS) Series will now consist of seven events with one race drop allowed in any race except the Gated Event series finals in Snowmass, CO. Racers must have a total of six finishes — five finishes plus a finish at the finals in Snowmass — to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women.

The Short Track (ST) Series will now consist of six events with one race drop allowed in any race except the Short Track finals in Snowmass, CO. Racers must have a total of five finishes — four finishes plus a finish at the finals in Snowmass — to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women.

The Super D (SD) Series will now consist of six events with one race drop allowed in any race except the Super D finals in Snowmass, CO. Racers must have a total of five finishes — four finishes plus a finish at the NMBS finals in Snowmass — to be eligible to be crowned NMBS Champion in the Pro, Semi-Pro, and all Expert categories for men and women,

In the event of an NMBS points tie in any of the above events, the rider with the most recent highest finish will be crowned NMBS Champion.

For the complete Rules of Racing please check www.usacycling.org

USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) will be present at all races and USADA Rules and regulations are in effect at all NMBS events. For more information please visit: www.usantidoping.org

Registration info for the NMBS can be found at: www.sportsbaseonline.com.