WHO WAS NOMINATED TO THE 2008-WORLDS TEAM
USA Cycling today announced the remaining 37 athletes who were nominated by the United States to represent them at the 2008 Mountain Bike World Championships, Val di Sole (Italy), June 15-22.
Only two months remain until Beijing’s Olympic Games, and American cross-country hopefuls will face off against other 2008 hopefuls in Off-road Cycling, the only Olympic discipline. Six men and seven ladies have been nominated for the elite cross country squad.
Adam Craig (Bend) was the only automatic nominee for the team. He is a top 15 American male in UCI rankings. He is joined by Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (Boulder, CO), Todd Wells, Durango, CO), Jeremiah Bishop, Harrisonburg, VA), Michael Broderick, Chiilmark, MA, Sam Schultz, Colorado Springs, CO), all of whom received discretionary nominations.
Georgia Gould (Ketchum ID) and Mary McConneloug(Chilmark MA) were automatically nominatedGould based on their podium performances at World Cup events in Houffalize, Madrid, and McConneloug owing to her eighth-place UCI ranking. Heather Irmiger, Boulder, CO, Willow Koerber, Asheville, NC, Sue Haywood, Davis, WV, Lea Davison, Jericho, VT, and Kelli Emmett, Colorado Springs, CO all received discretionary nominations based on international results.
J.D. Strait (Riverside CA) won the gravity event. Swanguen (San Diego), CA), Duncan Riffle, Santa Barbara, CA), Cole Bangert, Twin Lakes, CO), Cody Warren, El Cajon, CA), Kain Lenard (Gunnison CO), Lars Steinberg (Gunnison CO) were nominated for discretionary nominations to elite men’s downhill team. Melissa Buhl (Chandler) was the UCI downhill champion at the Chile Challenge In Angel Fire, NM. She received the only automatic nomination for the elite women’s downhill team. Kathy Pruitt (Lake Almanor CA) will be joining her as a discretionary choice.
Buhl and Brian Lopes (San Clemente CA) were both automatically nominated to the elite women’s and men’s 4-Cross team due to their 2007 medal performances. As discretionary selections, Lopes will be joined by Ross Milan (Golden CO), Mike Haderer(Concord, CA), Erik Nelson, Gilbert, AZ, and Blake Carney [Camarillo. CA]). Neven Steinmetz (Boulder. Buhl will be joined by CO on the womensteam as an optional pick. Jessica Vogt (Boulder CO) was nominated for a discretionary pick.
Kevin Aiello (Rancho Santa Margarita (CA), Naish Ulmer, Park City (UT), Joseph Schusler, Boulder, CO), Taylor Borucki, Dustin Belcher, Carbondale, CO), Graeme Pitts, Nevada City (CA), and Geoffrey Ulmer, Troy, NY) were all named to the junior men’s downhill team.
Twelve U23 and junior cross-country athletes were named previously to the 2008 Mountain Bike World Championships squad that will represent the United States.
Nominations for the U.S. WORLDS Team
CROSS-COUNTRY
Adam CraigGiant
Todd WellsGT
Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru-Gary Fisher
Jeremiah BishopTrek-VW
Michael BroderickKenda-Seven
Sam SchultzSubaru–Gary Fisher
CROSS-COUNTRY WOMENS
Mary McConnelougKenda-Seven
Georgia GouldLuna Chix
Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisher
Heather IrmigerSubaru–Gary Fisher
Sue HaywoodTrek – VW
Lea DavisonTrek-VW
Kelli EmmettGiant
DOWNHILL
Kyle StraitSpecialized
J.D. SwanguenMS-Intense
Duncan RiffleCannondale
Cole BangertSpecialized
Cody Warren
Kain LeonardCrested Butte Acdmy-TLD–Maxxis
Lars Steinberg
DOWNHILL WOMEN
Melissa BuhlKHS
Kathy Pruitt
JUNIOR
Kevin AielloYeti
Naish Ulmergo-ride
Joseph SchuslerYetiFox
Taylor BoruckiDurango Devo-PTP
Dustin BelcherOrbit Racing-Kona
Graeme PittsDark horse racing
Geoffrey UlmerRotec-Magura-Gamut-odi
4-CROSS
Brian LopesOakley-Ibis
Ross MilanYeti-Fox Shox
Mike HadererFox-Yeti
Erik NelsonThor-Michelin
Blake CarneyFly-Marzocchi-Maxxis-odi
4-CROSS WOMEN
Melissa BuhlKHS
Neven Steinmetz Totally Wired
Jessica Vogt*Turner
*declined nomination PREVIOUSLY RELEASED U.S. U23/JUNIOR XC TEAM MINATIONS
U23
1. Sam JurekovicU23 National
2. Colin CaresU23 National
3. Mitchell PetersonMonavie-Cannondale
4. Tim AllenVoodoo
U23 WOMEN
1. Jamie DinkinsDevo
2. Chloe ForsmanLuna Chix
JUNIOR
1. Kerry WernerShirks – Trek
2. John BennettWhole Athlete
3. Robbie SquireDevo
4. Seamus PowellWindham Mt
JUNIOR WOMEN
1. Jill BehlenTokyo Joes
2. Deidre YorkVelobum-Turner
