The 2008 Norba National Mountain Bike Series #2--Nova Norba National Stage Race--is a Stage Race Category 2 UCI XCO event presented by Sobe Cannondale. This Technical Guide covers the procedures for the Stage Race scheduled April 4-6, 2008.
ELITE STAGE RACE DESCRIPTIONS
SUPER D TIME TRIAL: The Super D is mostly a descent from near the outer boundary of the Competitive Track and finishing in the main venue. Individual racers will start every 30 seconds and the winner will be the one who makes the least amount of mistakes; even the smallest of mistakes will make a huge time difference on this short, fast, singletrack descent. The Super D course features high speed corners bordered by cactus and desert rock which forces riders to concentrate at high speed from start to finish. Seed times will be determined by current 2008 NMBS rankings (in reverse order) plus special insertions based upon current 2008 UCI points.
SHORT TRACK: The short track course is a bit longer than most. It combines a very fast start transitioning to some very tight singletrack. With a lap time of three minutes or more, with little passing, race tactics play a big role in determining the winner. The race will be 20 minutes plus three laps, and lapped riders will be pulled. Short Track racing at its best is shoulder to shoulder Nascar on a mountain bike.
CROSS-COUNTRY: This will be the second big test of the 2008 U.S. mountain bike race season. For many of the professional men and women whom are aspiring for a spot on the 2008 United States Olympic team, the available UCI points are critical. The standard by which all other desert cross-country courses are measured, Arizona's McDowell Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track will be the first time the racers will compete the "Long Loop" this weekend. The Long Loop is the best of endless singletrack, technically challenging corners and straights, a few high speed descents and a smattering of short, steep climbs. Most racers will negotiate multiple laps and hope to finish without an up close and personal visit to the hundreds of Cholla and Saguaro cactus that line the 10 mile lap. This circuit rewards the racer who can remain focused while negotiating the twist and turns of the trail at high speeds. The modified course will only be used by the elite racers. Elite Men will race for +/-2 hours and the Elite Women will race for +/-1:45.
STAGE RACE FORMAT
Stage 1: Super D TT
Stage 2: Kenda Short Track
Stage 3: Kenda Cross-Country
EXPERT WOMEN, BEGINNER AND SPORT CATEGORY STAGE RACE FORMAT
Stage 1: Super D TT
Stage 2: Kenda Cross-Country
The Stage Race will be decided in an Omnium format; each stage placing will be assigned points and the lowest cumulative point total is the Stage Race winner.
Professional category racers will be awarded UCI points based upon their cross-country race finish ONLY. Professional category racers will be awarded UCI XCO C2 points.
Norba National Mountain Bike Series Kenda Cross-Country points will be distributed for Series categories based upon final Stage Race standings. There will be no Series points awarded specifically in cross-country, short track or Super D.
CLINICS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS
Join World Champion, two-time Olympian, and Team Luna Chix Alison Dunlap for a mountain bike skills clinic. Learn techniques and strategies that will improve your climbing, descending, cornering, switchback'ing, and anything else you want to fine tune before your event. Here's your chance to brush up on the fundamentals of mountain bike riding and racing, and learn the advanced techniques you always wanted to know. Each clinic lasts only an hour to keep you fresh and ready for the big event.
• Clinics are free and open to all ages and abilities.
• Check for clinic times and sign up on site at Athlete Registration.
• You don't have to be a racer to participate.
• All clinics meet at the Luna Chix's Mountain Bike Team Truck in the venue area.
Alison Dunlap has been a member of the Luna Chix since 2002. She raced competitively for eighteen years, went to two Olympics, won the World Championships, the World Cup title, and has thirteen National Championships to her name. Although Alison hasn't raced since 2005 she is an active member of the Luna Chix, holding race clinics at various Norba NMBS events as well as running camps, clinics, and coaching through her company The Alison Dunlap Adventure Camps. Visit her website at
www.alisondunlap.com or contact her directly at
alison@alisondunlap.com.
The Shimano Youth Series races are the highlight of the weekend. For aspiring racers under the age of 10, this short multiple lap dirt race is fun and exciting. Racers will be joined by the best professional mountain bikers who will "race" them around the Shimano Youth Series circuit. Free to kids under the age of 10. Race time is Saturday 12 noon at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park main venue. Visit
www.novayouthcycling.org for more information on programs available to kids of all ages; including a very cool High School Mountain Bike Racing League, which for the champion will be crowned during this weekend.
NOVA NORBA NATIONAL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY APRIL 4, 2008
*8:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m.: Cross Country Inspection and Practice
*8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.: Athlete Registration and Packet Pick-up.
*10:00 a.m.: NOVA Marathon Race--Pemberton Trail Course (1 lap = 23.4 miles)
*12 noon: Elite Athletes/Team Managers Meeting
*2:30 p.m.—3:45 p.m.: Super D Course Inspection and Practice.
*4:00 p.m.: Super D Time Trial Race
SATURDAY APRIL 5, 2008
*7:00 a.m.: 6:00 p.m.: Athlete Registration and Packet Pick-up.
*8:00 a.m.: Kenda Beginner/Sport Category Cross-Country Race
*12:00 p.m.: Shimano Youth Series (Kids 10-and-under only)
*1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Kenda Short Track Amateur Races
*4:45 p.m.: Professional Women Short Track
*5:30 p.m.: Professional Men Short Track
SUNDAY APRIL 6, 2008
*7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Athlete Registration and Packet Pick-up.
*8:00 a.m.: Kenda Semipro and Expert Category Cross-Country Race
*11:15 a.m.: Kenda Professional Women's Cross-Country Race
*2:00 p.m.: Kenda Professional Men's Cross-Country Race