After a three-month break, the 2005 Shimano NORBA national mountain bike series resumes in Park City, Utah from June 16-19 with round three of the nine-race off-road cycling series, as Deer Valley Resort gets set to host its first NORBA National since 2001.
Despite being the third stop on the calendar, gravity-style events make their '05 NORBA national debut at Deer Valley as Downhill and Dual Slalom events compliment the more traditional cross country and short track disciplines. Super D, a mostly downhill cross country event, and a unique time trial that climbs up the 1,335 meter bobsled track used in the 2002 Winter Olympics, are also on the schedule.
After the opening stop in Boerne, Texas and round two in Scottsdale, Ariz., Canadian Geoff Kabush currently leads the overall standings in both the men's cross country and short track events. In the women's standings, Sue Haywood and Katerina Hanusova lead the overall classification in the cross country and short track events respectively.
Keeping in line with the popular stage race format used in the earlier rounds, the cross country riders will compete in the time trial, the cross country race, and the short track event to accumulate points towards an overall classification, which will determine the overall event winner.
"It's terrific that the premier mountain bike series in the United States is once again returning to a resort and town that has a rich history in competitive mountain biking," said USA Cycling's CEO Gerard Bisceglia. "Along with national championships on the road the following week, Park City will serve as the nucleus of the cycling community in America for nearly three weeks, making it not only an attractive athletic event for riders and spectators, but also a legitimate summer vacation option given the beauty and charm of the town."
The NORBA National at Deer Valley also provides a welcome lead-in for the cycling enthusiast to the Park City Cycling Festival, a 12-day road cycling extravaganza that serves as USA Cycling's national championships for junior, U23, elite, master and Paralympic categories set for June 21 - July 2, 2005. For more information on the Park City Cycling Festival, visit www.parkcitycyclingfest.com .
