U.S. mountain-bike championships moving from snowbound Mammoth

By USA Cycling

Due to massive snowfall on Mammoth Mountain this winter, USA Cycling will be relocating its 2006 Mountain Bike National Championships, scheduled for July 20-23.

After a record 664 inches of snow fell this season, Mammoth Mountain has reported a base depth of nearly 20 feet as of May 1 – a figure that ultimately put the resort’s ability to host a national-championship-caliber event in jeopardy.

“Looking at our snowpack today, I can confidently say we are unable to host a mountain-bike event to the quality we are all accustomed to,” said Bill Cockroft, senior vice president of operations at Mammoth Mountain. “It was a difficult decision, but ultimately we believe we owe it to the mountain-bike community to make sure the event continues at the level and standards expected by USA Cycling.”

USA Cycling is negotiating with several replacement venues. A decision is expected to be announced shortly. The dates of the championships will remain unchanged.

FILED UNDER: Mountain