June 7/10 17:50 pm - Canada is coming to Canmore for 2010 Canadian XC MTB Championships

Posted by Editoress on 06/7/10
 

Canmore, Alberta will host this year's Canadian Mountain Bike Championships July 15th - 18th, 2010. Hosted by Rundle Mountain Cycling Club at the Canmore Nordic Centre, the races will feature Canmore's iconic single-track climbs and descents on a course designed to be awesome for both the racer and spectator.

The festival starts off with the "Clash for Cash" on Thursday, July 15th – a prologue-style race that starts and finishes in downtown Canmore in front of the Civic Centre. The course loops up through the Nordic Centre and down the brand-new Soft Yogurt trail. This event is open to anyone with a bike and a helmet who wishes to race and test themselves against the best. Cash prizes will be available to the top finishers, a party in the mountains for the rest. Then come out on Friday July 16th for a "Share the Road" ride, supporting cyclist safety on our roads.

The main event hits off on Saturday July 17th with the Women's Elite race in the morning and the Men's in the afternoon. Come out to watch the best in the country ride the best trails in the country. The course includes both new and old trails, and spectacular scenery under the peaks of Mount Rundle.

Canadian women expected to compete include Catharine Pendrel and Marie-Hélène Prémont, who are currently dominating some of the top spots in international cross-country racing. Catharine Pendrel holds the #1 spot on World Cup rankings following her recent win in Offenburg, Germany. Marie-Hélène Prémont, the 2004 Athens Olympics silver medalist, is also having a strong season and seems to be returning to her winning form.

The men's race features multi-year Canadian Champion, World Cup winner, and mutton-chops wearer Geoff Kabush. Geoff has won here before in the Canada Cup series and thrives on these challenging trails.

Also watch for Alberta racers like previous Canmore Canada Cup women's winner Mical Dyck and the up-and-coming Cody Canning of Edmonton.

Sandwiched between the Men's and Women's Elite races is the Little Ziggy. Back again due to popular demand, this event is for kids aged 5-12 years old. They get to race on their own single-track courses – designed with kids in mind. Rundle Mountain Cycling Club has, over the last 5 years, built up a massive youth program with hundreds of participants – this is a chance for them to be a part of the event and have some fun. The race is open to all children, whether they are club members or not. A working mountain bike and an approved bike helmet are required.

Sunday July 18th is the day for everyone else. Age group, juniors, masters, and citizen's category races will all take place on the Sunday, over the same trails as the elite racers. Amenities include a great race course, great prizes and a rowdy bike festival.

The National Championships are more than just a bike race. Join Jay Hoots at the Nordic Centre bike park for a skills demo and some big jumps. Enjoy the scheduled parties around town, the bike festival at the Nordic Centre and the free swag. Racers are sure to take advantage of the handy Bikini Bike Wash.

Check rundlemountaincycling.com as further details and specifics become available.

Courtesy organizer