April 27, 2004 – Sue Haywood (Davis, W.Va.) and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo.) each took home gold medals from the Pan American Mountain Bike Championships this past weekend in Banos, Ecuador. Designated as a Continental Championship by the UCI, Haywood and Horgan-Kobelski each earned 125 UCI points for their victories.

American women swept the podium in the elite women's race as Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Mary McConneloug (Fairfax, Calif.) took second and third respectively. Currently, the trio of American women are pursuing UCI points necessary for Olympic selection. Dunlap's second place finish earned her 115 points and McConneloug's bronze medal performance netted her 110. This was the first time since June of 2003 that the three riders considered Olympic hopefuls competed in the same race.

Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) placed second to Horgan-Kobelski and Brazil's Marcio Ravelli prevented a similar all-American podium in the men's race with his bronze medal ride.

A full report, as well as results from the junior men's and women's races
and U23 event will be issued shortly.

Elite Men's
1. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA)
2. Todd Wells (USA)
3. Marcio Ravelli (BRA)

Elite Women's
1. Sue Haywood (USA)
2. Alison Dunlap (USA)
3. Mary McConneloug (USA)