February 25, 2004 -USA Cycling announced today the recognition of a National Trials Series in conjunction with the 2004 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series and the American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) calendar. The nationally recognized series returns after a five-year absence to give the nation's best trials riders a season-long competition.
The 2004 U.S. National Trials Series begins at Snow Summit Resort in Big Bear Lake, California on May 22-23 and will consist of five events culminating with the series finals in Durango, Colorado on August 27-29. Along the same lines of the 2004 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series, trials athletes will also compete in a stand-alone U.S. National Championship scheduled for September 23-26 in Mammoth, California. Also, as a tribute to it's entertainment value in addition to its athletic nature, the second stop on the series will be held outside the confines of a competitive mountain biking venue in the unique setting of the South Colorado Indoor Expo Center in Colorado Springs.
The third event in the series, at Mt. Snow, Vermont, will act as a selection event for the World Championships later this autumn in Les Gets, France.
Heading up the organization of the national series will be J.P. Sickler, who has acted as the trials coordinator on behalf of USA Cycling since 1999, guiding and coaching the best U.S. trials athletes at several world championships. Sickler's experience organizing trials events on the NORBA circuit since 1993 will serve as a solid foundation to enhance the popularity of, and participation in, the sport of trials. Sickler will also continue to lead the U.S. trials athletes at international competitions as USA Cycling's designated Trials Coordinator.
2004 U.S. National Trials Series
May 22-23 U.S. National Trials Series #1 Snow Summit Resort Big Bear Lake, California
May 31 U.S. National Trials Series #2 Colorado Springs, Colorado
June 18-20 U.S. National Trials Series #3 *Team USA Selection Event Mt. Snow Resort West Dover, Vermont
July 16-18 U.S. National Trials Series #4 Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival Eureka Springs, Arkansas
August 27-29 U.S. National Trials Series Finals Durango Mountain Resort Durango, Colorado
U.S. National Trials Championships September 23-26 Mammoth Mountain Resort