Today USAC announced a new financial incentive program to support Under-23 mountain bike cross-country athletes who compete on the Norba  National Mountain Bike Series circuit. The purpose of the U23 Mountain Bike Support and Identification Program is to create incentives for top U23 cross-country athletes to compete in specific Norba races that will be used for the identification and selection of up-and-coming riders for future international competitions.
 
Following each qualifying event, performance stipends will be awarded to men's and women's cross-country athletes who meet certain criteria.
 
A $1000 cash stipend will be paid to U23 men who finish in the top three of the Pro/Elite category of the four chosen Norba events, while those who manage a 4th through 10th place finish will be paid $750.
 
U23 Women who place in the top three of their respective Pro/Elite category will also earn $1,000, while those who finish 4th through 7th will receive $750.
 
All four qualifying cross-country events are part of the 2008 Norba National Mountain Bike Series: This weekend's March 27-30 Southridge Park Norba National in Fontana, CA; the Santa Ynez Valley National in Los Olivos, CA on May 17 & 18; the Deer Valley Norba National in Park City, UT on June 28 & 29; and the Norba National at Windham Mountain in New York on July 12.
 
The U23 Mountain Bike Support and Identification program is the latest mountain bike support initiative to be implemented by USA Cycling. Hit up the following for the complete rules:
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/mtb/2008MTBU23SuppIDProg.pdf
 
USA Cycling has three other incentive programs. For info on the
Olympic-based Podium Program, smoke up:
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/selection/PodiumProgram.pdf
 
World level Podium Bonus Program:
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/selection/PodiumBonusProgram.pdf
 
Elite Mountain Bike Performance Stipend Program:
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/selection/mtb_stipend.pdf