American MTB Classic draws top talent

The American Mountain Classic is drawing some top American and international talent to Brian Head, Utah for the stage race from August 21 to 24, just one week before the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) finals.

Riders like current US National Marathon and Short Track National Champion Jeremiah Bishop, along with Trek / VW team-mates Lea Davison, Jenny Smith and Brian Smith have committed to race. Also on the start list are Subaru/Gary Fisher's dynamic duo of Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Heather Irmiger, along with Kona's Ryan Trebon, who won Utah's Deer Valley national cross country race in June. Finally, U23 racer Tim Allen America and Sue Butler of Monavie/Cannondale throw their names into the hat.

Five-time Australian National Champion and Santa Ynez NMBS cross country winner Sid Taberlay and his Sho-Air/Specialized team-mate Costa Rican Manuel Prado will add an international flavor to the race. Prado is fresh off a third place at this year's Leadville 100 last weekend.

Specialized's 24 Hours of Adrenalin World solo champion Rebecca Rusch and three-time La Ruta Women's Champion Louise Kobin of Sho-Air/Specialized will bring their endurance skills to Brian Head to compete for the US$20,000 professional prize purse.

For more information, visit www.americanmountainclassic.com