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Heather Irminger at NMBS in North Carolina (Image credit: Steve Medcroft)
National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) organizers announced the loss of one venue for 2007, but offset the news by adding two new replacement events.
The Cougar Mountain Classic in Sonoma, California, has been cancelled as an NMBS event. Instead, series contenders will compete at the Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Mountain Bike Classic, in Santa Barbara on April 27– 29 and the Chile Challenge at Angel Fire Resort, in New Mexico May 26-28.
Both venues feature all the disciplines, but for 2007, points will only be offered for a selection of disciplines at each of the two new races. Endurance points will be awarded at the Santa Ynez race while gravity points will be given for the Chile Challenge.
"I was a little worried with that unexpected void to fill in the calendar," said Jeff Frost, NMBS organizer, "but it's worked out way better than I could have imagined. Having The Chile Challenge and the Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Classic join NMBS is just a dream."
The Santa Ynez Valley event is now in its eighth year. The event will take place on the Ted Chamberlin Cattle Ranch and on Firestone Vineyard, outside of Los Olivos, California, in Northern Santa Barbara County. Over the past few years, "The Classic" has averaged 900 race participants and over 2,500 spectators. It's grown consistently since 2000.
Angel Fire Resort has previously served as the venue for major mountain bike events. Most recently, it hosted the US collegiate mountain bike nationals last fall.
The revised NMBS calendar is given below:
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Mar 30-Apr 1: NMBS #1 - XC (Phoenix, AZ) April 27-29: NMBS #2 - XC (Santa Barbara, CA) May 4-May 6: NMBS #3 - XC/DH/4X (Fontana, CA) May 26-28: NMBS #4 - DH/4X (Angel Fire Resort, NM) June 15-17: NMBS #5 - XC/DH/4X (Park City, UT) July 27-29: NMBS #6 - XC/DH/4X (Banner Elk, NC) Aug 10-Aug 12: NMBS #7 - XC/DH/4X (Snowmass, CO)
