Round and Round Productions, based in Spokane, Washington, will promote the national event, which includes cross country, downhill and dual slalom disciplines. The University of Washington will serve as the host college.

"Last year, more than 300 riders, representing 60-plus schools, participated in the National Collegiate Mountain Bike Championships..."

"We want to provide a challenging, well-organized event that will give the University of Washington and mountain biking, national exposure," said University of Washington rider Brian Carver.

This year marks the first time the event will be held in the Pacific Northwest since the championship's inception in 1994. The Northwest conference includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Last year, more than 300 riders, representing 60-plus schools, participated in the National Collegiate Mountain Bike Championships held in Helen, Georgia. The University of Colorado, three-time national champions, claimed last year's team title.

Located only 70 miles from Spokane, Schweitzer Mountain was chosen as the race venue based on location and course quality.

"The resort has good courses for the downhill and cross country, and we are currently building a dual slalom course," said Gino Lisiecki, director of operations for Round and Round Productions. The new dual slalom course is scheduled to be completed July 26, 2000.

Schweitzer Mountain has previously hosted several American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) races, WIM (Washington, Idaho, Montana) series races and other various NORBA-sanctioned events.

"We've just entered into the summer venue scene, so this is something we've been looking toward doing," said Mary Quinn, special programs director at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Riders will be able to register online for the race at the University of Washington web site: http://students.washington.edu/racinguw/ in late August or by linking to Round and Round Production's web page: www.roundandround.com.

The host team will provide riders with transportation from Spokane International Airport to Schweitzer Mountain, lodging at the resort, breakfast and an awards banquet following the race.

The NCCA, under the United States Cycling Foundation (USCF), administers, develops and promotes all disciplines of collegiate cycling. Currently, there are more than 200 NCCA clubs, totaling more than 2,500 riders.

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent