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2009 NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing Series
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Boggs Mountain, Cobb, California, May 17, 2009

Season photo highlights available at: http://norcalmtb.org/race/pics/2009_best/2009_best.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Contact: Justin Morgan Justin@norcalmtb.org Tel: (510) 653-2433 www.norcalmtb.org

OAKLAND, CA –  Another significant step in the development of U.S. high school cycling takes place at Boggs Mountain, Cobb, California, Saturday May 17 when the NorCal and SoCal Leagues meet for the first time at the California High School Mountain Bike Championships, presented by Touchstone Climbing and Fitness.

“The state championship is the highest attainable accomplishment in high school mountain biking, as with many school level sports, so to me it’s a really big deal that we now have a true representative all-state championship,” said Matt Fritzinger.

2009 has been a watershed year for high school mountain biking. First, the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League was created with the backing of the Easton Sports Development Foundation II. On May 3, that league successfully completed its inaugural series of four races, which included more than 100 riders from 14 school teams.

The state championships have traditionally been the finale of the NorCal series. This year they will serve the dual function of culminating that series as well as crowning state champions from a field that spans the entire state of California, from Redding in the north, to San Diego in the south.

Up to 30 riders from the SoCal league are expected to travel to Cobb, 30 miles north of Santa Rosa, for this historic race, which may be the first time anywhere in the world when two separate high school mountain biking leagues have competed against each other.

In a nod to the talent pool that is entering the sport through the high school leagues, USA Cycling, the sport’s national governing body, has determined that the state championships will count as a qualifying race for its national championships.

“I love the competition of racing against 40 other riders of my age. Even at Sea Otter you don’t get a field that size, and there are good riders here,” said junior varsity racer Evan Shorter of Oakmont High School.

Racing begins at 10 a.m. with the varsity girls. The varsity boys race starts at 1:05 p.m. Race distances range between 12 miles and 24 miles on the six-mile course through pinewood forest, which with much singletrack and many technical sections is the most challenging on the high school racing circuit.

While racing is a significant part of the weekend, there are several other important components in the success of the event. One of these is the socializing that is a hallmark of the high school racing series. “The state championships takes the NorCal atmosphere to a whole new level. Everyone camps, and the party begins the night before the race. I’m really looking forward to that part of it as well. A lot of families go there and it’s a really great atmosphere,” explained varsity rider Will Curtis of San Rafael High School.

Current NorCal Standings
Individual: http://www.norcalmtb.org/race/09/OverallRider4.html
Team: http://www.norcalmtb.org/race/09/OverallTeam4.html

Current SoCal Standings
Individual: http://socaldirt.org/race/09/OverallRider4.html
Team: http://socaldirt.org/race/09/OverallTeam4.html

About the NorCal League
The NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, founded in 2000, is a non-profit organization open to students from both public and private schools. The League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities as well as generous donors and sponsors including the founding sponsor of the SoCal League, Easton Sports Development Foundation II (ESDFII), the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, Clif Bar, Inc., Shimano, Fox Racing Shox, Gary Fisher Bikes, Bikes Belong, Ritchey Bicycle Components, Crank Brothers, Creation Engine, Hincapie Sportswear, Mike’s Bikes, The Pedaler, Paradigm Cycles, HappyGoFun, Mountain Hardwear, WTB, and Touchstone Climbing Gyms. The League provides coaching and camaraderie to help students achieve both competitive and non-competitive cross-country mountain biking goals in a safe and enjoyable manner. Each season includes a Coaches Training Conference, winter riding camps, the six-race series, and a variety of summer camps. For more information on the League visit www.norcalmtb.org or call (510) 653-2453.

source: NorCal League