October 17, 2003 (Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Cycling announced today the schedule for the 2004-05 NORBA National Mountain Bikes Series along with some of the exciting and significant changes that will be implemented in an effort to improve the series. Management of the series for the next two years will fall under the cooperative efforts of Team Big Bear and Blue Wolf Events in a newly announced partnership with USA Cycling.
One of the most notable and well-received differences includes the end of an overall series points system to determine the U.S. National Mountain Bike Champion. Although overall series champions will still be crowned, the title of National Champion will be awarded at a one-day event open to domestic riders only, aligning the U.S. with the majority of national federations in the way that their National Championships are awarded.
In an effort to bring the sport of mountain biking to a larger audience, the series also includes three new stops closer to major metropolitan areas. The 2004 series will kick off in Waco, Texas, while the '05 series will begin in Comfort, Texas. Snowmass Resort in Aspen, Colo. will also host a round of the series in each of the next two years. Additionally, all five venues that hosted events in 2003 will return for the 2004-05 season.
Also in the works are extreme format changes that include a four-race marathon series, a proposed point-to-point cross-country race, and a pro team relay. A stage race format that includes off-road time trials, cross-country and short-track events will also be introduced at a couple of rounds.
These changes will combine with the classic four stand-alone disciplines of downhill, mountain cross, short-track, and cross-country to enhance the series while keeping the integrity of the traditional mountain bike events intact for the purists.
Gerard Bisceglia, USA Cycling CEO, is excited about the planned changes and the direction of the series. “We're excited about the changes that will inject renewed enthusiasm into an already well-established national mountain bike series. The feedback from members and teams alike has been extremely positive as we take the series to the next level. The ability to expose the sport of mountain biking to new markets and give the members of USA Cycling more options and opportunities in terms of competition is great. Along with the one-day National Championship, we're excited about the future of the series.”
Jeff Frost, Owner of Blue Wolf Events, expects the changes will benefit members of USA Cycling. “The changes we are implementing for the 2004-05 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series will give NORBA license holders more value for their membership dollars. The position of the schedule, more racing on the weekends, and a higher number of events will allow people to pick and choose the ones they want to compete at. More options available will hopefully translate into greater participation. One of our goals is to service all categories of racing and attract riders, and we think that can be accomplished by thinking out of the box. We are also excited to bring racing to major metro areas, an idea that was encouraged by many pro teams in order to access new markets.”
The NORBA National Mountain Bike Series is North America's premier off-road cycling series. USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States. Blue Wolf Events and Team Big Bear are the series management and promotions company, and are recognized as the USA's leading cycling and events management group.