May 23, 2004 (Madrid, Spain) – The highly anticipated opening round of the
2004 UCI World Cup series is in the books as the world’s best mountain bike
riders battled it out in Madrid, Spain. An important factor in Olympic
selection in one way or another, some of America’s top mountain bike
athletes faired well.

The women’s event was won by Norwegian, Gunn-Rita Dahle, followed by Irinia
Kalentieva (RUS) and Ivonne Kraft (GER) respectively.

Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) placed eighth and Mary McConneloug
(Fairfax, Calif.) and Sue Haywood (Davis, W. Va.) placed 14th and 15th
respectively. With Olympic selection for the women dependent upon UCI
points, the World Cup series offers the most points outside of a World
Championships or Olympic Games. Dunlap received 98 points for her efforts
on Sunday while McConneloug gained 78 and Haywood 75.

In the men’s event, reigning World Champion, Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL) took
the win ahead of fellow Belgian, Roel Paulissen. Julien Absalon (FRA) was
third.

American Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo.) was the top U.S. finisher
in 18th place. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) was 48th, Jeremiah Bishop
(Harrisonburg, Va.) was 92nd, and Michael Broderick was 130th.

For their efforts, Horgan-Kobelski will be credited with 66 UCI points and
Todd Wells will receive 28. Both Bishop and Broderick finished out of the
points which are awarded 75 deep.

Complete Results available at:
http://www.vitesseonline.it/uci/mtb/wc/publicevents.asp

UCI World Cup Round 1

Madrid, Spain

Women

1. Gunn-Rite Dahle (NOR)

2. Irinia Kalentieva (RUS)

3. Ivonne Kraft (GER)

8. Alison Dunlap (USA)

14. Mary McConneloug (USA)

15. Sue Haywood (USA)

Men

1. Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL

2. Roel Paulissen (BEL)

3. Julien Absalon (FRA)

18. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA)

48. Todd Wells (USA)

92. Jeremiah Bishop (USA)

130. Michael Broderick (USA)