March 19, 2007 – Rocky Mountain Haywood racers Seamus McGrath and Max Plaxton did exactly what the Canadian federation had hoped in winning a Gold and Silver medal at the Pan Am Championships last weekend on Sunday, March 11 in Villa la Angostura, Argentina

The Continental Championship was a critical step in Canada’s quest to secure a maximum number of qualifying points and thus work towards maximizing start positions for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Throughout this season, top racers from every Nation will race to secure points for their country. On December 31 2007 the countries will be awarded start positions for the 2008 Olympic Games by the Union Internationale Cycliste. Either 1, 2 or 3 for men, and 1 or 2 (women) start positions will be awarded to countries based on ranking of the country at that time. For this qualifying year in 2007, the riders will look for success as a group. In 2008, the pre season the focus will then be an Internal battle between the riders of those Nations, to secure those positions for themselves, and earn the right to represent their country at the Olympic Games.

Canadians Seamus McGrath and Geoff Kabush came up against each other in both 2000 and 2004 selections to win the right to be one of two men representing Canada at those Games. In 2000 Roland Green had already taken a spot, and in 2004 it was Ryder Hesjedal. In both final show downs for the second spot, Seamus and Geoff rode a fierce battle which ended in 2000 with Kabush the victor, and in 2004 it was Seamus. McGrath went on to score the highest North American finish in Athens 2004 in 9th Place.

National coach Michel LeBlanc stated “Mission accomplished!” following the mountain bike cross-country event held in Argentina, with two victories and a silver medal for Canada: Rocky Mountain Haywood’s Max Plaxton won the under 23 Championship. His gold medal also contributes a significant amount of points to the country’s score and continues to show that he too can be in the mix for selection to Beijing. ” I did the job I had to do. I am satisfied. I cannot wait to race with the elite,” said Max Plaxton , who has been dominating the under 23 event for two years in a row.

Rocky Mountain Haywood is committed to supporting their riders in the steps towards representing Canada for the Olympic Games. Marie Hélène Prémont and Alison Sydor will also be important contributors to the points scoring for Canada.

The Pan American Championships takes place yearly and represents the International Cycling Federation’s designated continental championship.

Next for Rocky Mountain Haywood will be the US National Series season opener in Fountain Hills, Arizona on March 30 — April.

1. Elite Men
1. Geoff Kabush (Can) 2:02:40
2. Seamus McGrath (Can) at 0:49
3. Todd Wells (USA) 0:51

U23 Men

1. Max Plaxton (Can) 1:38:14
2. Sam Schultz (USA) at 0:49
3. Sam Jurekovic (USA) 1:25