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Wiens, Reeves take marathon crowns at Mammoth NORBA

by VeloNews.com

• September 24, 2004
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By VeloNews Interactive

A new, one-day “winner-take-all” format for crowning national mountain-bikechampions enjoyed its debut under sunny skies Thursday at Mammoth MountainResort, California, with veteran Dave Wiens (RLX Ralph Lauren) and risingtalent Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) taking the 65-milemarathon cross-country titles.For the first time since the implementation of the NORBA National Seriesin the late 1980s, American racers are contesting a national championshipsolely without competition from foreign riders. The marquee event of theweekend, the pro cross-country race, will be held Friday, September 24,at 2 p.m. PST.“We’re very excited about the debut of the new ‘winner-take-all’ format,”said USA Cycling CEO Gerard Bisceglia. “Our members have wanted a one-daynational championship for a while, and we’re thrilled to see it come tofruition this year.”By the end of the weekend, 98 stars and stripes jerseys will be awardedto new national champions in the pro/elite, semi-pro, expert, and juniorexpert categories. 85 racers will leave with national champion’s jerseysin the sport, beginner, and junior categories.Situated on the eastern Sierra, north of Los Angeles and south of YosemiteNational Park, Mammoth Mountain is a popular destination with deep rootsin mountain biking tracing back to the popular Kamikaze Downhill eventfrom the mid-1990s, where racers reach speeds of 65 mph. With a base elevationof nearly 9,000 feet, and a maximum elevation of 11,053 feet, those ridersadapted to thin air will hold a considerable advantage.Thursday’s premier event, the marathon cross-country, saw Wiens, thisyear’s NORBA National Series marathon overall champion, pull away froma group that consisted of legendary cross-country racer Tinker Juarez (Siemens-Cannondale),Charlie Storm (Fuji-BTD Racing), and Specialized teammates Jimi Mortensonand Jay Henry.By the end of the second lap, the lead group had been reduced to threeas Wiens, Henry, and Storm set the pace at the front with Juarez and Mortensonnot far behind. As the riders made their way down the homestretch, Wienshad broken off the front and opened a 45-second gap over Storm. Juarezand Mortenson both passed Henry as they attempted to bridge up to the leaders,but Wiens was able to hang on for the win.In the women’s marathon race, Reeves took an immediate lead, openinga one-minute gap over her nearest threat, Melissa Thomas (Tokyo Joe’s),and did not relinquish her lead for the entire race. 2004 NORBA Nationalmarathon series winner Monique Sawicki (Warriors) followed in third, whileShannon Gibson (Crazy Cat) and Cristina Begy (Maverick) earned fourth andfifth respectively.Slated for Friday are the cross-country events, ranging from five mileswith 995 feet of climbing for the youngest juniors, to 27 miles with 5,469feet of climbing for the pro men. Saturday’s competition will include morecross-country action as well as mountain cross, downhill, Super Downhill,observed trials and the return of the Kamikaze Downhill. Racing wraps upon Sunday with the remaining downhill contests and short-track racing.On hand for the men’s pro cross-country race will be recent OlympiansJeremy Horgan-Kobelski (RLX Ralph Lauren) and Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai) aswell as Adam Craig (Giant), who took an impressive fifth place at the finalround of the World Cup in Livigno, Italy, on Sunday, the best internationalresult for an American in years.Other sure contenders include Jeremiah Bishop and Travis Brown, bothof Trek-VW, and Ryan Trebon (Kona-Clarks-Les Gets), the top American thisyear in the NORBA cross-country series.Craig, who was encouraged by Giant team management to skip the WorldCup finals to focus on nationals, shared his thoughts about the upcomingnational championships.“JHK seems kind of over it,” Craig told VeloNews. “It seems like he’swinding it down, but he’s still the altitude king. Wells and Bishop wenthome after worlds to rest up, so maybe they’ll have a leg up.”Women’s racing will likely see strong performances by Luna’s Alison Dunlap and Willow Koerber (RLX Ralph Lauren). Dunlap took the top spot in this year’s NORBA short track standings after spending much of the season racing overseas. Koerber had a breakout season with two NORBA cross-country victories and a World Cup podium.Dara Marks-Marino (Ford Cycling) will also be a rider to keep an eyeon, as she has placed consistently on the podium at the NORBA series thisyear. Missing from the action will be Luna’s Shonny Vanlandingham who broke her ankle at the world’s in Les Gets.

A rainbow jersey will be on display on the gravity side, as recentlycrowned world Four Cross champ Eric Carter (Mongoose-Hyundai) will hopeto add the national title to his overall NORBA series title in mountaincross this year. Among Carter’s competition is Mike King (Haro-adidas),Brian Schmith (Mongoose-Hyundai) and Rich Houseman (Sponsorhouse.com),the top American in the NORBA downhill standings.On the women’s side, 2004 world championship silver medalist Jill Kintner(Yeti) will likely continue her winning ways in the mountain cross. KathyPruitt (Luna) has been the dominant American woman in downhill this season,while April Lawyer (Intense-Maxxis), Melissa Buhl (KHS), and Marla Streb(Luna) are always threats to steal the win.“Mammoth Mountain has a long history as an industry leader in mountainbike racing, making it the perfect location for the 2004 National Championships,”commented Mammoth Mountain sponsorship and event manager Kristy Williams.“We’re thrilled to be hosting NORBA again after a two-year hiatus and expectit to be an incredible event for both racers and spectators.”Open Men’s Marathon Results
1. Dave Wiens
2. Charlie Storm
3. Tinker Juarez
4. Jimi Mortenson
5. Michael JanelleOpen Women’s Marathon Results
1. Gretchen Reeves
2. Melissa Thomas
3. Monique Sawicki
4. Shannon Gibson
5. Cristina Begy