British 24 Hours race promoter makes US debut this weekend

Europe’s most renowned 24-hour endurance race promoter, Patrick Adams with ProVelo, has partnered with Nat Ross of Tough Guy Productions to bring a European standard in endurance mountain bike events to the United States. Bike maker Kona is on board as sponsor of the the first ever 24-hour global mountain bike series. The Kona Global 24 Hour Championships event is the second leg of the three-part Kona 24 Hour Global Championships and will take place September 10-11, 2005 at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. A $20,000.00 cash purse is up for grabs.

The event is aimed to replicate the same caliber of European endurance mountain bike races to the United States. The success of Patrick Adam’s signature UK endurance events; Sleepless in the Saddle and Mountain Mayhem have been described as festivals, embodying the active, healthy lifestyle of mountain biking. According to Nat Ross, “Every event Patrick has done in Europe and Australia has been to the highest standard. Cycling abroad is synonymous with culture and lifestyle. This event is intended to bring the same ideal of cycling to the United States. In my belief, this is what the American cycling events have been missing.” This race includes some simple things like: affordable entries, free camping, parking, spectating, and massage for racers. Also, a unique lodging opportunity provides an option besides camping for participants. Colorado is famous worldwide for its singletrack, and this course is going to set a new standard in 24-hour courses, according to Ross.

By partnering with ProVelo, Tough Guy Productions’ focus for the US portion of Kona Global 24 Hour Championships is to further promote cycling in the states. “The race is geared to be all-inclusive, promoting the lifestyle, joy and culture of cycling to everyone. In this race, amateurs will ride along side some of the biggest professionals in the industry,” says Ross. To emulate the standard of Adam’s “festival” races, entertainment and healthy food will be served in large doses throughout the event.

This year, the Snow Mountain Ranch, USA race will crown the G24 global champion. The G24 championship is awarded to solo riders at one race a year: the USA event in 2005, Australia in 2006, UK in 2007. This is a solo category for men and women. There are also plans to establish a collegiate championship for colleges in the USA as well as shop/mechanics category (an unusual category which will incorporate a mechanical task to be completed by the rider just before the start/finish area between 1:00am and 2:30am).