With four different on-snow cycling events over the course of two days, the 2013 Winter Mountain Games presented by Eddie Bauer invites winter cyclists to take part in the countrys largest celebration of riding on snow, February 8-10 in Vail. In addition to providing athletes with multiple opportunities to compete, this years Winter Mountain Games also offers the chance to ride for the inaugural title of Winter Mountain Bike National Champion.
The Vail Valley Foundation expanded the cycling competitions of the sophomore edition of the Winter Mountain Games, adding Cross Country Mountain Biking to the 2013 schedule, along with the traditional On-Snow Bike Crit, Dual Slalom Bike and Best Trick Bike events. Each of the mountain bike events at the 2013 Winter Mountain Games will crown a mens and womens National Champion.
We are excited to expand our Winter Mountain Games cycling options with the addition of the Cross Country event, while also providing the opportunity to be crowned National Champion,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “Going back to the World Mountain Bike Championships in 1994 and 2001, Vail has played host to some of the best mountain bike races in the world. With the growing popularity of ‘fatbikes and racing bikes on the snow, were pleased to now offer some of the biggest and best winter mountain bike races in the country.
The new Cross Country event will debut on Friday afternoon, February 8, combining with Saturdays On-Snow Bike Crit to comprise the endurance events. On Sunday, February 10, the Dual Slalom Bike competition will return to Golden Peak, along with the most anticipated event of the weekend, the Best Trick Bike competition. Registration is now open for all events at www.mountaingames.com.
The new Cross Country race will take place at the Vail Nordic Center on Friday afternoon with a 3 p.m. start time. Both the Dual Slalom Bike and On-Snow Bike Crit will take place on Vail Mountain at Golden Peak starting at 4:30 p.m.
The Best Trick Bike competition on Saturday night will once again offer terrific spectating opportunities, getting underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Peak base area as marquis athletes, including last years silver medalist, Mike Montgomery, take turns throwing down their best aerial tricks off a huge ramp, battling for a share of the $10,000 purse. The evening entertainment continues after the competition with a live reggae performance by John Browns Body.
