More than 240 U.S. mountain bikers have been named to USA Cycling's 2000 Masters World Mountain Bike Team, the organization announced Wednesday.
This year's Masters World Mountain Bike Championships will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 4 in Bromont, Quebec, Canada. Bromont also hosted the 1999 event.
U.S. athletes qualified for the 2000 team based on performances at the first four rounds of the 2000 Chevy Trucks NORBA National Championship Series. The top five finishers in each of the five-year masters age classes for expert downhill and cross-country were selected to the team. Pro and semi-pro riders interested in racing at the 2000 world event were also named to the team, providing they had not raced in the elite class at a 2000 World Cup race.
Although, the Masters World Mountain Bike Championships are open to any rider age 30 or older, members of the 2000 U.S. team are officially recognized by USA Cycling as the top athletes in their class.
In 1999, 15 U.S. riders earned the world champion honor, with 35 athletes bringing home at least one medal. The United States swept the podium in the cross-country women 35-39, cross-country women 40-44, cross-country men 60-plus and downhill men 40-44. Albert Piemme from La Mesa, Calif., was a double world champion in the cross-country men 60-plus and downhill men 60-plus. For more information on the event, please visit www.bromontbiking.com or www.usacycling.org.
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