24-Hour Mountain Bike Nationals to begin in Moab on Saturday

Sawicki to chase Guinness World Record and Eatough says farewell

The 2009 USA Cycling 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships will go off this weekend, Oct. 10 and 11, in conjunction with the 24 Hours of Moab in Moab, Utah. In all, the event is expected to draw more than 4,000 athletes, support crew and spectators.

“We’re really looking forward to providing the kind of production quality deserved of a national championship,” explained Laird Knight, president of Granny Gear Productions. “We will have live, real-time scoring available on-site as well as via the web, so fans all over the world can follow the progress of their favorite team. Based on the increased participation, this year’s event is also shaping up to have the largest cash purse in the history of 24-Hour racing, topping $24,000. We’re also deeply honored to have Chris Eatough making this his last hurrah.”

Fans should be sure to follow the race via live stats, in real-time, here. Granny Gear’s RealTime™ tracks the results and instantly publishes the standings on local terminals as well on the web at grannygear.com.

As a part of the event Pua Sawicki (Yucapia, Calf./Ellsworth), winner of three of the past four 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships, will attempt to become the first-ever female record holder in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “most miles ridden in 24 hours on a mountain bike.” There is no better woman suited for the feat as; Sawicki recently became one of the only Americans ever to land inside the top 10 at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Austria, finishing seventh.

The 15th annual 24 Hours of Moab will also be the last hurrah for six-time 24-hour solo champ Chris Eatough (Ellicott, Md./Trek). The five-time 24-hour Solo National Champion; 2007 24 Hours of Moab champion; 2007 USA Cycling National Ultra Endurance champion and 2007 BC Bike Race champion announced that he will retire from professional cycling following the 24 Hours of Moab. Eatough will have his hands full at the race, as current 24 Hour National Point Series leader Brandon Draugelis and 2008 Moab champion Josh Tostado will be also be present.

Thirteen different classes will race for the Stars-and-Stripes and designation as USA Cycling 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Champion. Racers must compete in one of the championship categories to earn this honor and must hold (or obtain) a current USA Cycling racing license. Also, the national championship is up for grabs by American riders only. National championship classes will also be competing within 24-hour series classes with matching criteria.

For example, the Men’s Solo Championship winner could also win the 24 Hours of Moab Men’s Solo, or perhaps, take second in the 24 Hours of Moab Men’s Solo and, in either case, earn series points and cash purses accordingly. However, a Men’s Solo that is not registered in the Men’s Solo Championship class could win the 24 Hours of Moab Men’s Solo class but would not qualify in the USA Cycling Championships.

Prior to the addition of an American-only national championship race, the 24-Hours of Moab has a fourteen year history as one of the most popular mountain bike races in North America. The annual event takes place in a stunningly beautiful biking venue and offers more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

The course is a classic mix of high-speed double-track, technical sections and power-sucking sand-traps. The roughly 15-mile loops have nearly 1,400 feet of climbing per lap. Click here for a course map and profile.

For more information on the event, click here. To register for the event visit GrannyGear.com, here.

USA Cycling National Championship classes
Men’s Solo Championship
Women’s Solo Championship
Men’s Solo Singlespeed Championship
Women’s Solo Singlespeed Championship
Mixed Duo Championship
Men’s Duo Championship
Women’s Duo Championship
Men’s 4-Person Championship
Women’s 4-Person Championship
Men’s Junior 4-Person (18 & under) Championship
Women’s Junior 4-Person (18 & under) Championship
Men’s 4-Person Masters (35+) Championship
Women’s 4-Person Masters (35+) Championship