March 11, 2004 – NORBA kicked off its new format for the 2004 National Mountain Bike Series at a brand new venue this afternoon. The first NORBA National showcased a marathon race which was held at the Broken Oak Ranch, just miles outside of Waco, Texas.

Rain held off all afternoon as 80 riders battled it out over rolling hills for 3 laps of a 20 mile loop. Charlie Storm (Cary, N.C.) was the first to cross the finish line in the menís open race with a 10 minute advantage and a final time of 3:58.28. Storm completed the first lap in 1:26 with a 20 minute lead on a group of three riders that included arguably the most notable U.S. cross-country rider ever, Tinker Juarez (Downey, Calif.). Despite two flat tires, Stormís time decreased with each lap as he finished the second in 1:17 and the third in 1:15.

Following Storm was Jason Sager (Austin, Texas) in 4:08.59 and Chris Eatough (Ellicott City, Md.) pedaling to third place in 4:13.52.  Juarez took fourth in 4:15.43. The seasoned pro now concentrates on endurance events as opposed to big name cross-country races, as his career his winds down.

Storm, who drove 20 hours from his home in North Carolina yesterday for his first ever marathon, said “I came here with the goal of winning or finishing in the top few spots. I hopefully put in a good enough performance to help me make the U.S. Worlds team.”

The top two males and top two females in the overall NORBA series marathon rankings as of June 14 will receive automatic nominations to the U.S. Marathon World Championship team to compete in Bad Goisern, Austria on July 11.

In the open women's category, Alexandra Robinette (Austin, Texas) took the crown in her first long distance race with a final time of 4:31.49. In second was Leslie Reuter (Cedar Park, Texas) in 4:36.14. Abigail Hippely, (Boulder, Colo.) finished third in 4:44.01.

“It was a brutal course out there,” Robinette said of her victory. “It was hard to get away from anybody on the wide jeep roads, so I tried to get away on the single track section, and once I did, I was worried I wouldnít be able to hang on to my lead for another two laps.”

Marathon racing has become a popular international event, and will now be featured at four of the eight stops on the 2004 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series. Festivities will continue tomorrow as big name pros compete in the time trial event at Cameron Park in downtown Waco.

Results:

1. Charlie Storm (Fuji BTD Racing)        3.58.29
2. Jason Sager (Thunderbirds)               10.31
3. Chris Eatough (TREK Volkswagen)          15.23
4. Tinker Juarez (Siemens Cannondale)       17.14
5. Adam Salladin (Downey)                   17.43
6. Todd Helmick (Trek Volkswagen)           19.50
7. Mark Weir                                20.15
8. Cameron Chambers (Subaru Gary Fisher)    23.52
9. Michael Janelle (Tokyo Joes)             25.35
10. Dave Wiens (RLX Ralph Loren)            28.31
11. Nat Ross                                29.27
12. Jimi Mortenson                          35.49
13. Michael McCalla                         36.22
14. Robbie Robinette                        43.49
15. Arial Lindsley                          47.18
16. Kip Biese                               54.35