$40,000 Powerade Race Series opens at Snowshoe

Snowshoe Mountain (West Virginia, USA) will kick-off one of the richest mountain biking race series in the country this weekend. Over four weekends throughout the summer, the region's best riders will compete in the Powerade Race Series 2006 for a total of $40,000 in cash and prizes. Both dual slalom and downhill mountain biking disciplines will take place on different trails each of the competition weekends.

The series will consist of a variety of categories including: intro (first time racing), amateur (previous race experience) and elite (expert, semi-pro and pro rider status) in both men's and women's divisions. Sub-divisions, based on age will also be offered. The races will take place June 23 - 25, July 21 - 23, August 18 - 20 and September 8 - 10 The final weekend will act as the series finale and will run in conjunction with Snowshoe's Mayhem in the Mountains Mountain Bike Festival.

Cash prizes will total $25,000 (with merchandise ranging from a Snowshoe season trail pass to a Kona downhill or freeride bike raising the total value of prizes to $40,000) with up to $2,500 up for grabs for the winner of a single race in select categories.

For more information on Snowshoe Mountain, check out their Web site at www.snowshoemtn.com.