Keith Bontrager joins 24 hour race promotion team

Keith Bontrager (seen here in a quieter moment) has become a technical director for a new 24-hour race taking place in 2006, called Twentyfour12. It will be run at the purpose-built venue of Lodgewood Park, Ellesmere in Shropshire, England on July 22-23; the 24-hour and 12-hour races will be run concurrently, with both starting at midday on July 22. According to organisers, Bontrager has improved the area's less popular features and added new elements, coming up with a more diverse race structure than any previous 24 hour event.

Bontrager has long been associated with endurance mountain bike competitions, including stage and long distance racing, and has said of the race, "After racing in as many of these as I have I'm looking forward to finally helping put a race on. I know what I've liked in a 24 hour race and what I haven't, so it'll be a challenge to put as much of the good stuff together in one event. It will definitely be fast and fun, designed for the racer in every respect."

Categories include: Expert mixed (minimum 1 woman), Men's Open (max 1 elite/expert rider), Women's Open Fun (up to five riders, any ages, any sex) and Just for fun (6-12 riders, any ages, any sex)

Sub categories with the open categories: Masters (combined age 130+), Veterans (Combines age 170+), Shop (2 stores or less), Singlespeed and University

For more information on the endurance event of 2006 and to download entry forms go to: www.twentyfour12.com