May 15, 2004 – The inaugural California Outdoor Sports Championships, presented by Infineon Technologies, kicked off today with a variety of road cycling and mountain biking competitions held on or around Infineon Raceway.

On the opening day of the three-day event, which is the first national cycling event in the 36-year history of the facility, amateur road cyclists and mountain bikers took to the racetrack itself and the hills surrounding it, while professional mountain bikers tackled qualifying rounds in the Infineon Technologies Mountain Cross.

Competitors in this weekend's mountain cross, which serves as the opening round of both the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series and the Jeep King of the Mountain series, encountered a new venue, a fast course, and the promise of competitive racing.

“Gravity Goddess,” Marla Streb, perhaps the best known competitor in mountain bike gravity racing, said, “The person who doesn't brake in the first turn will have the advantage. The course is really fast and you can feel the g-forces in the turns.”

The top mountain cross qualifying spots went to Wade Bootes (Trek-Volkswagen) and Jill Kintner (Yeti-Red Bull). Downhill Domination Gravity Omnium winners at the recent Hyundai Sea Otter Classic, Tara Llanes (Giant-Pearl Izumi) and Mick Hannah (Haro-adidas) finished second and fourth, respectively.

At the opposite end of the cycling spectrum, amateur road cyclists in the Supercuts Circuit Race tackled the same 2.5 mile circuit used by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock cars. Despite windy conditions, racers raved about the course. Ben Standish of Santa Rosa, who placed sixth in the Master 35+ circuit race, called it “the best road racing course in Northern California.”

Amateurs also praised the Infineon Technologies Dual Slalom, which the pros will contest on Sunday, May 16. San Rafael resident Chris Larson, 35, said, “It was excellent. I like the course and I live so close that I couldn't pass it up.”

In the afternoon, endurance athletes took to the dirt in the Infineon Technologies Cross Country, the second such event in the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series. The international flavor of mountain biking was apparent, as 17-year-old Fabio Cappi from Italy dominated the Junior Expert class, winning by almost two minutes.

Professional cross country riders tested their legs on a brand-new course prior to their race on Saturday, May 15. Among them was Chris Eatough, the defending NORBA 24 Hour National Champion, who said, “The course will favor the strongest pedaler. There are a lot of short hills that will split up the field and then regroup.”

Over the remaining two days at the California Outdoor Sports Championships, highlights for spectators on Saturday, May 15 include the Infineon Technologies Mountain Cross finals, the Supercuts Circuit Race, and the Infineon Technologies Cross Country. Sunday, May 16 features the Infineon Technologies Dual Slalom, the Supercuts Criterium on the road, and the Infineon Technologies Short Track.

Infineon Technologies Mountain Cross Qualifiers:

Men
1. Wade Bootes (Trek-VW)
2. Andrew Neethling (Honda Turner)
3. Michael Robinson (Intense Cycles)
4. Mick Hannah (Haro-adidas)
5. Mike King (Haro-adidas)
6. Chris Powell (Specialized)
7. Brian Schmith (Mongoose-Hyundai)
8. Bas de Bever (Be-One/Madhouse)
9. Eric Carter (Mongoose-Hyundai)
10. Jared Graves (Mad Catz/Iron Horse)

Women
1. Jill Kintner (Yeti-Red Bull)
2. Tara Llanes (Giant-Pearl Izumi)
3. Melissa Buhl (KHS)
4. Sabrina Jonnier (Intense Cycles)
5. Leana Gerrard (Cannondale)
6. Katrina Miller (Jamis)
7. Marla Streb (Luna)
8. Lisa Sher (Chumba Wumba)
9. Anneke Beerten (Specialized)
10. April Lawyer (Maxxis-Puma)