Plaxton and Nash aim to defend leads at Bonelli Park US Cup

Image 1 of 3

Michael Broderick and Mary McConneloug of Team KENDA / Stan’s NoTubes racing the Trans Andes Stage Race in Chile(Image credit: Marcelo Tucana / Trans Andes)

Many of the best mountain bike pros in the world will line up in the Frank G. Bonelli Park for round 2 of the 2014 USA Cycling US Cup Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group on Saturday, March 15 in San Dimas, California. Among them will be Olympians Max Plaxton (Cannondale Factory Racing) of Canada and Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) of the Czech Republic, both of whom will be racing to defend their leads in the US Cup series.

"Bonelli Park is a great location for racing," said Sho-Air President Scott Tedro. "And the course changes we've implemented in the past weeks will ensure that only the best riders will be fighting it out at the front. The much-needed rain that came last week put the course in great shape as well, so we're ready and the course is ready. We can't wait to see this world-class field battle it out this weekend."

The USA Cycling US Cup Series standings could see a serious shake-up at Bonelli Park. Due to its high UCI category HC-ranking, round two offers more points than any other round in the four-race series. For example, the men's and women's winners will collect 45 points for their victories instead of 25 like at the other rounds. And all racers, including the winners, will pick up an extra five points for lining up on the start line.

Series leader Max Plaxton, who won at Bonelli Park in 2010, is bringing reinforcements to help him defend his spot atop the rankings. His entire Cannondale Factory Racing team will be at the start, including Olympic bronze medallist Marco Aurelio Fontana of Italy, Manuel Fumic of Germany, former junior world champion Anton Cooper of New Zealand and Keegan Swenson of the United States. The young Swenson, a former junior national champion, set a blazing pace at the Mellow Johnny's race, leading until he was slowed by a flat tire.

The Sho-Air/Cannondale team, including former US cross country national champion Sam Schultz, Ryan Trebon, Alex Grant and Jeremiah Bishop will be out in force, racing with the home team advantage. Jeremiah Bishop dedicated last year's Bonelli Park win to his son, Conrad. The family man will have a new source of inspiration this year, as his second child is expected to arrive in the days leading up to the race. Bishop won the race in both 2011 and 2013.