On July 13-16 Infineon Raceway will host the 2006 U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships, presented by X Fusion, as part of the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic weekend. Infineon Raceway will now host the most prestigious mountain bike race weekend in the country. Events include cross-country, downhill, mountaincross, short track, Super D and marathon.
Infineon Raceway is where Highways 37 & 121 meet in Sonoma, CA 95476; (800) 870-7223.
EVENT ITINERARY
Thursday, July 13--U.S. Marathon National Championship. We expect competitors to complete 9 laps of the 7.7 mile cross-country course. National Championships will be handed out in nine different categories. Racing starts at 7 a.m.
Friday, July 14--U.S. Cross-Country National Championship. The 7.7 mile cross-country circuit navigates almost the entire Infineon Raceway facility. The course is made up of hilly fire roads and swooping singletrack. The pro men's event begins at 2 p.m., while the pro women head off at 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 15--U.S. Super D National Championship. After the Le Mans-style mass start racers will face numerous power climbs while descending to the finish. The National Championship events get underway at noon.
Saturday, July 15--U.S. Mountaincross National Championship. Infineon's mini Supercross-like layout guarantees more aggressive racing and close contact. The pro events begin at 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 16--U.S. Downhill National Championship. Called one of the best layouts in the world, our downhill is perched high atop Cougar Mountain, 400 feet above the raceway. The course is 90 percent visible from the finish line, and will offer spectacular, fast, world class downhill racing. On a clear day, from the start house, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Runs will span approximately three minutes with plenty of natural jumps, and banked and off-camber turns. Pro events begin at 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 16--U.S. Short Track National Championship. Thirty minutes of nonstop attacking, recovering and team tactics! Men's and women's pro events begin at 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.
2005 U.S. MTB NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Cross-Country: Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Mary McConneloug
Downhill: Cody Warren and Melissa Buhl
Mountaincross: Eric Carter and Jill Kintner
Short Track: Adam Craig and Shonny Vanlandingham
Marathon: Travis Brown and Gretchen Reeves
Super D: Adam Craig and Kelli Emmett
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
In addition to the U.S. National Mountain Bike Championships, the weekend will also feature numerous road cycling events that will be contested on the same 12 turn road course usually reserved for two- and four-wheel motor racing, including NASCAR.
The Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic will also offer a variety of activities for families and recreational riders. Riders can enjoy the Supercuts Slow Ride, which will be a casual ride around the 2.52-mile Infineon Raceway road course on Saturday, July 15 at 1 p.m.
Young riders (eight years old and under) are invited to learn riding skills and safety at the Shimano Kid's Bike Rodeo. This event is free for kids and runs from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on Sunday.
Shimano will also host Youth Series races for children 14 years old and under. Racing will be held in two year age groups, and all participants receive an award for their efforts.
Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy a vintage bicycle concourse throughout the weekend. The concourse will feature a variety of beautiful and historic bicycles from some of Europe's and America's finest builders, including Masi, Benotto, Cinelli, Ritchey, Specialized, Fisher, Breeze and Cunningham.
Tickets: $10 per day per vehicle. A three-day parking pass is available for $20.
For more information or to enter this event, please visit www.cmclassic.com or call (650) 364-7612. In On-site registration is available for a full slate of amateur racing classes, with entry fees ranging from $30 to $45. Non-competitive events for mountain bikers and road cyclists are $10 each. |