BIG BEAR LAKE, CA. (May 16, 2003) The first round of the NORBA National Mountain Bike Championship Series is officially underway at Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, CA. Under the flawless weather conditions of sunny skies and warm temperatures, the Semi Pro and Junior Experts took to the Cross Country course for their events, while all non-pro riders contested the Mountain Cross event to the finish, a new option available to them in this year’s NORBA NCMBS.

Highlighting the action today, however, was the Mountain Cross qualifying rounds for the Pro Men and Women. Leading the way for the men was American and two-time World Champion, Brian Lopes (GT Hyundai) who snared the top seed ahead of fellow countrymen Mick Hannah (Haro-Lee Dungarees) and Eric Carter (Mongoose-Hyundai).

In the women’s event, Americans Jill Kintner (Staats/Fox) and Tara Llanes (Giant-Pearl Izumi) took the top two spots respectively ahead of Tai-Lee Muxlow (Tioga-Orange) from Australia. The top seeds will be looking to maintain their form for tomorrow night’s final.

Courtesy Galeforce