Infineon Technologies Cougar Mountain Classic

On the weekend of September 9-11, California's Infineon Raceway hosts the Infineon Technologies Cougar Mountain Classic, a multi-sport event with the emphasis on cycling that includes pro men and women's road races, mountain bike cross country and downhill events plus a 15km road/off-road run. This is the 2005 version of the event that last year was called the California Outdoor Sports Championships.

Most of the action takes place on Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11. Saturday sees road races on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile Infineon Raceway road course, with 90 minute amateur events and two to three hour races for the pro classes.

The same day holds pro class mountain bike cross-country racing on a new 8-9 mile course that uses almost the entire Infineon Raceway facility, and includes a few tough 5-10 minutes climbs. The course is 80 percent new compared to last year's, organisers say. There's more mountain bike action the same day with a four-cross race.

Downhill and endurance racers get their turn on Sunday with a mountain bike downhill on Cougar Mountain and off- and on-road endurance events. Top 10 downhill finishers in all categories will qualify for the NORBA National Championships.

Endurance racers can choose to go on or off-road with eight-hour races on offer on the cross-country and road courses on Sunday. Riders can compete either solo or in teams of four.

For more information see: www.cmclassic.com