Colorado Springs, Colorado.– On Tuesday, USA Cycling, the national governing body of cycling, announced its 1999 World Mountain Bike Championship team. Elite, junior and under-23 riders will compete in the cross-country, downhill and team relay events Sept. 15-19 in Are, Sweden. Of the 44 riders on the team, 39 have previously competed in the world mountain bike championships. Last year, the U.S. had 10 riders in the top 10, with Cheri Elliott, El Dorado Hills, Calif., taking a bronze in the women's downhill.

Competition begins Wednesday, Sept. 15, with the team relay, a new event added to this year's championships. On Friday, Sept. 17, the junior and under-23 cross-country riders compete, with junior and elite downhill athletes competing on Saturday, Sept. 18. The '99 World Mountain Bike Championships conclude Sunday, Sept. 19 with the elite cross-country. "All of the members of the team have worked hard this year and have proven to be competitive within their respective fields," said USA Cycling's National Mountain Bike Coach Stephane Girard. "The experience of the elite riders, combined with the energy of the junior athletes, should prove to be valuable in competition."

Athletes were selected to the team based on national and international results.
1999 U.S. World Mountain Bike Championship Team
* Previous World Mountain Bike Championship experience
* U.S. Olympic resident-athlete
* '98 World Mountain Bike Championship medalist

Cross Country
Men, elite
Travis Brown, Boulder, Colorado
Tinker Juarez, Downey, California
Jimi Killen, Fort Collins, Colorado
Steve Larsen, Bend, Oregon
Kirk Molday, Temecula, Califfornia
Carl Swenson, Boulder, Colorado

Women, elite
Audrey Augustin, Williston, Vermont
Golden Brainard, Flagstaff, Arizonia
Alison Dunlap, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Shari Kain, Cupertino, California
Rene Marshman, Lafayette, Colorado
Ruthie Matthes, Durango, Colorado
Ann Trombley, Golden, Colorado

Men, Under 23 (U23)
Patrick Bower, Casper, Wyoming
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Denver, Colorado
Ryah Radomski, Bend, Oregon
Ben Scherrer, Bellingham, Washington
Jess Swiggers, Ramona, California

Men, junior
Adam Craig, Exeter, Maine
Walker Ferguson, Norwood, Colorado
Matt Kelly, Johnson Creek, Wisconsin
Skyler Reeves, Pinckney, Michigan

Women, junior
Allie Warfel, Millersville, Pennsylvania

Downhill
Men, elite
Eric Carter, Temecula, California
Mike King, Vista, California
Brian Lopes, Laguna Beach, California
Shaums March, Santa Barbara, California
Shaun Palmer. South Lake Tahoe, California
Myles Rockwell. Durango, Colorado
Kirt Voreis, Lake Arrowhead, California

Women, elite
Elke Brutsaert, Durango, Colorado
Leigh Donovan, Capistrano Beach, California
Cheri Elliott, El Dorado Hills, California
Missy Giove, Durango, Colorado
Tara Llanes, Newport Beach, California
Lisa Sher, Laguna Beach, California
Marla Streb, San Geronimo, California

Men, junior
Jason Codding, Foothills Ranch, California
Travis Gardner, Big Bear Lake, California
Ryan White, Bakersfield, California
Jesse Whitsell, Monroe, New York

Women, junior
Melissa Buhl, Chandler, Arizonia
Danielle Connolly, Novato, California
Kathy Pruitt, Lake Almanor, California

— Patrice Quintero, NORBA Communications Coordinator