2007 Round Two, The Santa Ynez Classic

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Skye Kraft
Tel: +1-415-359-0730
EM: skraft@o2sm.com
www.mtbnationals.com


Round Two of the National Mountain Bike Series in Santa Barbara County, April 27-29 Firestone Santa Ynez Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance Los Olivos, CA (April 19, 2007) – Next weekend, April 27-29, professional and amateur mountain bike racers will gather at the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch and the Firestone Vineyard in beautiful Santa Barbara County, California to contest Round Two of the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) – The Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance. This will be the 8 th annual Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Mountain Bike Classic, but it is the first year that the popular event will be a part of the prestigious National Mountain Bike Series. The partnership is a natural one, as mountain bike history buffs will remember that the first ever NMBS race was held in Santa Barbara, back in 1983 when the series was known as the NORBA National Championship Series. There will be four different mountain bike racing disciplines on offer at the event: Cross Country, Short Track Cross Country, Super D, and Downhill. NMBS points are on offer for the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek-VW, the Kenda Short Track Cross Country, and Super D races, but not the Chamberlin Ranch Downhill event. The competition in the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek-Volkswagen will be particularly hot as, in addition to NMBS points, the nation’s top pros will continue the hunt Olympic selection points ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. When asked how the addition of NMBS status has affected the preparations for this year’s race compared to the past seven years, race organizer Mike Hecker said, “it’s a larger scale this year but everything is running completely smooth. The expo area alone is going to be so much bigger, which will be great for the spectators. I’m really excited about our first year with the NMBS.” There’s great anticipation about the increased presence of professionals from around the world at this year’s event. One pro who’s already in the area and training is Team Colavita/Sutter Home rider Krista Park from Georgia. More pros will be showing up throughout the week to acclimatize and get some practice on the race courses. Barry Wicks, from the Kona Factory Team, winner of last year’s pro men’s cross country event is home in Santa Cruz preparing himself for this year’s race. When asked if he would be going for the win again this year, he simply replied, “I’ll try, you know.” Asked how he thought the upgrade to NMBS status would affect his chances he said, “There were a few really strong riders last year, like Burry Stander from South Africa and my teammate Ryan [Trebon], but this year there will be so many fast guys that it will be really challenging.” Wicks scored an eighth place at NMBS Round One earlier this month in Arizona, so he’s obviously going strong. With all of the racing action from novice to professional and the giant expo area featuring the latest and greatest products in the mountain bike industry and more, the NMBS #2 Firestone Santa Ynez Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance will have something to keep everyone entertained. For more info in the event, go to the event website: http://www.ridesb.com/firestone.htm or call Race Organizer, Mike Hecker: (805) 896-0673 For more information on the NationalMountain Bike Series, go to the website: http://mtbnationals.com or call Managing Director, Jeffrey Frost, (435) 840-2651 About The National Mountain Bike Series The National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) is the premier mountain bike racing series in the United States, and is sanctioned by the national governing body of cycling sports, USA Cycling. For more information and to see the complete 2007 NMBS calendar, visit www.mtbnationals.com. For all other inquiries, please email info@mtbnationals.com. -30-

Round Two of the National Mountain Bike Series in Santa Barbara County, April 27-29

Firestone Santa Ynez Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance

Los Olivos, CA (April 19, 2007) – Next weekend, April 27-29, professional and amateur mountain bike racers will gather at the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch and the Firestone Vineyard in beautiful Santa Barbara County, California to contest Round Two of the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) – The Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance.

This will be the 8 th annual Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Mountain Bike Classic, but it is the first year that the popular event will be a part of the prestigious National Mountain Bike Series. The partnership is a natural one, as mountain bike history buffs will remember that the first ever NMBS race was held in Santa Barbara, back in 1983 when the series was known as the NORBA National Championship Series.

There will be four different mountain bike racing disciplines on offer at the event: Cross Country, Short Track Cross Country, Super D, and Downhill. NMBS points are on offer for the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek-VW, the Kenda Short Track Cross Country, and Super D races, but not the Chamberlin Ranch Downhill event. The competition in the Kenda Cross Country presented by Trek-Volkswagen will be particularly hot as, in addition to NMBS points, the nation’s top pros will continue the hunt Olympic selection points ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

When asked how the addition of NMBS status has affected the preparations for this year’s race compared to the past seven years, race organizer Mike Hecker said, “it’s a larger scale this year but everything is running completely smooth. The expo area alone is going to be so much bigger, which will be great for the spectators. I’m really excited about our first year with the NMBS.”

There’s great anticipation about the increased presence of professionals from around the world at this year’s event. One pro who’s already in the area and training is Team Colavita/Sutter Home rider Krista Park from Georgia. More pros will be showing up throughout the week to acclimatize and get some practice on the race courses.

Barry Wicks, from the Kona Factory Team, winner of last year’s pro men’s cross country event is home in Santa Cruz preparing himself for this year’s race. When asked if he would be going for the win again this year, he simply replied, “I’ll try, you know.” Asked how he thought the upgrade to NMBS status would affect his chances he said, “There were a few really strong riders last year, like Burry Stander from South Africa and my teammate Ryan [Trebon], but this year there will be so many fast guys that it will be really challenging.” Wicks scored an eighth place at NMBS Round One earlier this month in Arizona, so he’s obviously going strong.

With all of the racing action from novice to professional and the giant expo area featuring the latest and greatest products in the mountain bike industry and more, the NMBS #2 Firestone Santa Ynez Mountain Bike Classic presented by Platinum Performance will have something to keep everyone entertained.

For more info in the event, go to the event website:

http://www.ridesb.com/firestone.htm

or call Race Organizer, Mike Hecker: (805) 896-0673

For more information on the NationalMountain Bike Series, go to the website:
http://mtbnationals.com

or call Managing Director, Jeffrey Frost, (435) 840-2651

About The National Mountain Bike Series
The National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) is the premier mountain bike racing series in the United States, and is sanctioned by the national governing body of cycling sports, USA Cycling. For more information and to see the complete 2007 NMBS calendar, visit www.mtbnationals.com. For all other inquiries, please email info@mtbnationals.com.

-30-

Trek VW Racing Team