Suzuki 24 Hours of Moab: The Galactic Championships
Strongest Men's and Women's Solo Fields Assemble for Season's
Greatest Race
Moab, Utah -- The 2008 mountain bike endurance season reaches its
climax October 11-12 with the final of the Suzuki 24 Hour National
Point Series, the Galactic Championships, held at the legendary venue
of Moab, Utah. Race organizer Laird Knight found this title fitting
partly because of the frequent UFO sightings at Behind the Rocks near
Moab; the massive turnout for the event; the fact that the event is
longer established and the field stronger than any other 24-hour
mountain bike race this year - including those that call themselves
world championships; and because it has drawn the strongest riders on
the 24 Hour circuit.
"Suzuki is very excited to sponsor the Galactic Championships as a
part of the 2008 Suzuki 24 Hour National Point Series," said Gene
Brown, vice president of marketing and PR for American Suzuki. "An
event designed for thrill-seekers, the mountain bike race provides an
excellent platform for Suzuki to communicate its 'Way of Life' brand
spirit."
Among the dirt warriors assembling to do battle in the Solo Men's
category are two-time Olympian and '03 Moab champion, Tinker Juarez
(Cannodale-MonaVie), of Downey, California., defending champion Chris
Eatough (Trek VW), Ellicott City, Maryland, and an on-form Josh
Tostado (Giant), Breckenridge, Colorado.
Eatough and Tostado made history recently with their grueling
performance at the 24 Hours of Nine Mile. Tostado led the race for 18
laps, only to be passed and defeated by an out-of-this-world
performance from Eatough who hit the front two laps from the end and
won by a mere 16 minutes. This is one of the closest known finishes
in a solo men's 24 hour race.
"I was at Nine Mile timing the 24 Hours of Nine Mile with Granny
Gear's RealTime" Scoring system. It was an amazing race. I recognized
Tostado's potential several years ago but at Nine Mile he announced
his arrival by giving Eatough the best run-for-the-money that Eatough
has ever had," said Moab race director, Laird Knight.
Chris Eatough is under no illusions about the task ahead, saying:
"Nine Mile was a tough race, and Tostado pushed me hard the whole
way. There are going to be lots of strong riders and good competitors
at Moab. Tinker, for one, has been having a very successful year."
Tostado will arrive in Moab quite possibly still seeing stars after
Nine Mile, but very hungry for revenge. Last year at Moab he never
hit full warp speed, and quit the race early. This year he will be
looking to earn the title of the galaxy's fastest 24-hour mountain
biker. Serious bragging rights indeed.
Returning champion Chris Eatough comes to Moab expecting a very
tough battle.
Josh Tostado, who last year pulled out of the race "just not feeling
it," is bolstered by his
near defeat of Eatough at the 24 Hours of Nine Mile.
The legendary Tinker Juarez returns to Moab for the first time since
winning in 2003.
Tinker Juarez is pleased to be back at Moab, and expressed great
excitement about how many people from the MonaVie team will be
showing up. A two-time Olympian, Juarez always has the force with
him, and can be counted on to get right in the middle of any
Tostado/Eatough action.
Tinker said, "I'm hoping for a good race weekend. With Eatough and
Tostado coming out it should be a good battle."
This will be the first time all three are competing against each
other at the same time and without a doubt it will be the race of the
year.
One dark-horse rider who could well mix it up with these
front-runners is 24 hour newcomer, Eric Sullivan of Gunnison,
Colorado. Known as a successful adventure racer, ski endurance
athlete and erstwhile bar-room pugilist, "Sullie" is looking for a
supernova ride that will form him as a new star in the sport.
Vegan Rob Lichtenwalner is setting his gyroscopes on the Suzuki 24
Hour National Point Series Championship, which would make it two
years in a row for this salad eating, tofu and hummus gobbling,
bunny-hopping machine.
In the women's field, Pua Suwiki (Ellsworth) will beam in from
Mililami, Hawaii with the sole intention of claiming the Solo Women's
galactic title. After beating several cross country pros to win the
American Mountain Classic, and finishing fifth overall in the
National Mountain Bike Series, Sawicki looks a worthy challenger for
the defending champion, Jari Kirkland, of Crested Butte, Colorado,
whose result last year was good enough to take second place in the
Solo Men's race behind only Chris Eatough.
Kirkland, 32, has distinguished herself as an adventurer racer in
recent years, and in her college years was an All-American swimmer.
This is the first time the two have gone head-to-head in a 24-hour
race, and this contest, between the top two names in this branch of
the sport, is eagerly awaited.
Jari Kirkland won at in 2007,
but this year will face even
stiffer competition
Pua Sawicki is looking for the
win at her first Moab 24
Liz Baumgardt-Kays raced at Moab last year, got hooked and rode the
entire series in '08.
For the women's Suzuki 24 Hour National Point Series win, look for
Liz Baumgardt-Kays who travels halfway across the country from Loves
Park, Illinois, in an attempt to clinch a first 24-hour series
victory. With series leader Namrita O'Dea unlikely to attend
following the sudden withdrawal of her sponsor, Baumgardt-Kays is
virtually certain to win the series.
Although unlikely, it is still possible that Eddie and Namrita
O'Dea, early leaders in the Suzuki series, will compete. Recently
they were informed that their current sponsors are unable to
transport them to Moab. Any sponsors wishing to step into the breach
stand a good chance of emerging with the series double-shot: both
men's and women's solo series contenders.
Among the international entrants are: Let's Roc, a veteran team from
London, England, Dan Brennan who is making the voyage all the way from
Singapore. Yuki Saito from Japan, Roan Exelby from South Africa, and
Leighton Poidevin and Jason Sandquist from Canada.
Who knows what astral travels these riders will experience as they
push through a sleep-deprived blur of sand, singletrack and mesas in
the terrestrial quest to reach the finish line first? Historically
Moab has named the king and queen of the endurance mountain biking
world, but now it's gone a large step beyond into the farthest
reaches of the galaxy, throughout which it is known that riding with
a light heart makes you go faster. Although the Suzuki 24 Hours of
Moab will be a knock-down-drag-out kind of race, no one leaves this
event with hard feelings.
For 14 years Granny Gear Productions has been making Moab into more
than just a race. 4,000 mountain biker racers, support crew and fans
will populate a mountain bike tent city that springs up in the desert
grazelands that host the event. 400 teams will compete on the epic
15-mile track that winds through the foreboding and beautiful
high-desert terrain.
Whether a solo racing machine pushing his/her body to the outer
limits, a bike-jousting mechanic attending just for fun, or a parent
showing their kids a truly memorable weekend full of cycling
excitement, 24 Hours of Moab will deliver for many people in many
ways.
******************************
******************************
About Granny Gear Productions
Granny Gear Productions, a sports marketing and event production
company, has earned a reputation as mountain biking's most innovative
and successful event organizer. With more than 26 years as a mountain
bike race promoter, Granny Gear President and CEO, Laird Knight,
created the 24-hour racing format in 1991. In 2001, Knight became
West Virginia Tourism's Person-of-the-Year and in 2002, Knight was
inducted into The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
In 2000, GGP created its unprecedented and unrivaled RealTime"
Scoring System, that tracks every rider and every lap, posting
results for every team in real-time on the web.
http://www.grannygear.com
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor
Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor
Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United
States through a network of approximately 500 automotive dealerships
and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49
states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a
diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor
manufacturer. In 2007, SMC sold more than two million new cars and
trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in
1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries
and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com.
<http://www.media.suzukiauto.com>
<http://www.ellsworthbicycles.com>
<http://infinitnutrition.com>
<http://grannygear.com/index.shtml>
<http://grannygear.com/Races/history_results.shtml>
<http://www.suzukiauto.com>
<http://ellsworthbicycles.com/>
<http://grannygear.com/index.shtml>
<http://www.infinitnutrition.com/>
Strongest Men's and Women's Solo Fields Assemble for Season's
Greatest Race
Moab, Utah -- The 2008 mountain bike endurance season reaches its
climax October 11-12 with the final of the Suzuki 24 Hour National
Point Series, the Galactic Championships, held at the legendary venue
of Moab, Utah. Race organizer Laird Knight found this title fitting
partly because of the frequent UFO sightings at Behind the Rocks near
Moab; the massive turnout for the event; the fact that the event is
longer established and the field stronger than any other 24-hour
mountain bike race this year - including those that call themselves
world championships; and because it has drawn the strongest riders on
the 24 Hour circuit.
"Suzuki is very excited to sponsor the Galactic Championships as a
part of the 2008 Suzuki 24 Hour National Point Series," said Gene
Brown, vice president of marketing and PR for American Suzuki. "An
event designed for thrill-seekers, the mountain bike race provides an
excellent platform for Suzuki to communicate its 'Way of Life' brand
spirit."
Among the dirt warriors assembling to do battle in the Solo Men's
category are two-time Olympian and '03 Moab champion, Tinker Juarez
(Cannodale-MonaVie), of Downey, California., defending champion Chris
Eatough (Trek VW), Ellicott City, Maryland, and an on-form Josh
Tostado (Giant), Breckenridge, Colorado.
Eatough and Tostado made history recently with their grueling
performance at the 24 Hours of Nine Mile. Tostado led the race for 18
laps, only to be passed and defeated by an out-of-this-world
performance from Eatough who hit the front two laps from the end and
won by a mere 16 minutes. This is one of the closest known finishes
in a solo men's 24 hour race.
"I was at Nine Mile timing the 24 Hours of Nine Mile with Granny
Gear's RealTime" Scoring system. It was an amazing race. I recognized
Tostado's potential several years ago but at Nine Mile he announced
his arrival by giving Eatough the best run-for-the-money that Eatough
has ever had," said Moab race director, Laird Knight.
Chris Eatough is under no illusions about the task ahead, saying:
"Nine Mile was a tough race, and Tostado pushed me hard the whole
way. There are going to be lots of strong riders and good competitors
at Moab. Tinker, for one, has been having a very successful year."
Tostado will arrive in Moab quite possibly still seeing stars after
Nine Mile, but very hungry for revenge. Last year at Moab he never
hit full warp speed, and quit the race early. This year he will be
looking to earn the title of the galaxy's fastest 24-hour mountain
biker. Serious bragging rights indeed.
Returning champion Chris Eatough comes to Moab expecting a very
tough battle.
Josh Tostado, who last year pulled out of the race "just not feeling
it," is bolstered by his
near defeat of Eatough at the 24 Hours of Nine Mile.
The legendary Tinker Juarez returns to Moab for the first time since
winning in 2003.
Tinker Juarez is pleased to be back at Moab, and expressed great
excitement about how many people from the MonaVie team will be
showing up. A two-time Olympian, Juarez always has the force with
him, and can be counted on to get right in the middle of any
Tostado/Eatough action.
Tinker said, "I'm hoping for a good race weekend. With Eatough and
Tostado coming out it should be a good battle."
This will be the first time all three are competing against each
other at the same time and without a doubt it will be the race of the
year.
One dark-horse rider who could well mix it up with these
front-runners is 24 hour newcomer, Eric Sullivan of Gunnison,
Colorado. Known as a successful adventure racer, ski endurance
athlete and erstwhile bar-room pugilist, "Sullie" is looking for a
supernova ride that will form him as a new star in the sport.
Vegan Rob Lichtenwalner is setting his gyroscopes on the Suzuki 24
Hour National Point Series Championship, which would make it two
years in a row for this salad eating, tofu and hummus gobbling,
bunny-hopping machine.
In the women's field, Pua Suwiki (Ellsworth) will beam in from
Mililami, Hawaii with the sole intention of claiming the Solo Women's
galactic title. After beating several cross country pros to win the
American Mountain Classic, and finishing fifth overall in the
National Mountain Bike Series, Sawicki looks a worthy challenger for
the defending champion, Jari Kirkland, of Crested Butte, Colorado,
whose result last year was good enough to take second place in the
Solo Men's race behind only Chris Eatough.
Kirkland, 32, has distinguished herself as an adventurer racer in
recent years, and in her college years was an All-American swimmer.
This is the first time the two have gone head-to-head in a 24-hour
race, and this contest, between the top two names in this branch of
the sport, is eagerly awaited.
Jari Kirkland won at in 2007,
but this year will face even
stiffer competition
Pua Sawicki is looking for the
win at her first Moab 24
Liz Baumgardt-Kays raced at Moab last year, got hooked and rode the
entire series in '08.
For the women's Suzuki 24 Hour National Point Series win, look for
Liz Baumgardt-Kays who travels halfway across the country from Loves
Park, Illinois, in an attempt to clinch a first 24-hour series
victory. With series leader Namrita O'Dea unlikely to attend
following the sudden withdrawal of her sponsor, Baumgardt-Kays is
virtually certain to win the series.
Although unlikely, it is still possible that Eddie and Namrita
O'Dea, early leaders in the Suzuki series, will compete. Recently
they were informed that their current sponsors are unable to
transport them to Moab. Any sponsors wishing to step into the breach
stand a good chance of emerging with the series double-shot: both
men's and women's solo series contenders.
Among the international entrants are: Let's Roc, a veteran team from
London, England, Dan Brennan who is making the voyage all the way from
Singapore. Yuki Saito from Japan, Roan Exelby from South Africa, and
Leighton Poidevin and Jason Sandquist from Canada.
Who knows what astral travels these riders will experience as they
push through a sleep-deprived blur of sand, singletrack and mesas in
the terrestrial quest to reach the finish line first? Historically
Moab has named the king and queen of the endurance mountain biking
world, but now it's gone a large step beyond into the farthest
reaches of the galaxy, throughout which it is known that riding with
a light heart makes you go faster. Although the Suzuki 24 Hours of
Moab will be a knock-down-drag-out kind of race, no one leaves this
event with hard feelings.
For 14 years Granny Gear Productions has been making Moab into more
than just a race. 4,000 mountain biker racers, support crew and fans
will populate a mountain bike tent city that springs up in the desert
grazelands that host the event. 400 teams will compete on the epic
15-mile track that winds through the foreboding and beautiful
high-desert terrain.
Whether a solo racing machine pushing his/her body to the outer
limits, a bike-jousting mechanic attending just for fun, or a parent
showing their kids a truly memorable weekend full of cycling
excitement, 24 Hours of Moab will deliver for many people in many
ways.
******************************
******************************
About Granny Gear Productions
Granny Gear Productions, a sports marketing and event production
company, has earned a reputation as mountain biking's most innovative
and successful event organizer. With more than 26 years as a mountain
bike race promoter, Granny Gear President and CEO, Laird Knight,
created the 24-hour racing format in 1991. In 2001, Knight became
West Virginia Tourism's Person-of-the-Year and in 2002, Knight was
inducted into The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
In 2000, GGP created its unprecedented and unrivaled RealTime"
Scoring System, that tracks every rider and every lap, posting
results for every team in real-time on the web.
http://www.grannygear.com
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor
Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor
Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United
States through a network of approximately 500 automotive dealerships
and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49
states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a
diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor
manufacturer. In 2007, SMC sold more than two million new cars and
trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in
1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries
and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com.
<http://www.media.suzukiauto.com>
<http://www.ellsworthbicycles.com>
<http://infinitnutrition.com>
<http://grannygear.com/index.shtml>
<http://grannygear.com/Races/history_results.shtml>
<http://www.suzukiauto.com>
<http://ellsworthbicycles.com/>
<http://grannygear.com/index.shtml>
<http://www.infinitnutrition.com/>
