FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Libby Hurley
952-835-4540

September 5, 2013

MN League - High School Mountain Bike Racing Action starts this weekend!

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JV Boys Race | Eastwood Race 2012

Sept. 5, 2013 - Bloomington, MN - 

Last year, the MN High School Cycling League launched a co-ed mountain bike racing series with 160 student-athletes from 15 teams at Salem Hills trail in Inver Grove Heights, MN and brought a new sport to the state of Minnesota. Growth and participation has exploded over the summer -- 25 teams and over 300 racers are preparing to race on Sun. Sept. 8 at Salem Hills once again.

To accommodate this growth, the MN League decided to add an additional race - turning it into a 5-race series and adding in some new exciting race venues. New this year is Hillside Trail in Elk River, Jail Trail in St. Cloud, and Mt. Kato in Mankato.

"We're excited for our second season of racing - we can guarantee the excitement level will be high at the race on Sunday." said Gary Sjoquist, MN League Director.

New teams to watch for include Crosby-Ironton, Duluth, Chaska/Chanhassen, Edina, Osseo/Maple Grove, Patrick Henry HS, Twin Cities Academy, West Metro Composite and Stillwater.

Racer Spotlight: Look for Kelly Catlin, racing for the Roseville MTB team. She was just selected to the USA Team competing at the World Road Championship in Italy Sept. 22-29. She is one of 3 junior girls selected for the team. Way to go Kelly!

Additional details and a course map are now posted to the minnesotamtb.org website.

Mark your calendars for Race #1 on Sun. Sept. 8!
Girls Racing begins at 10:00am and Boys Racing begins at Noon. You need to see this to believe it. Minnesota - get ready - the fun is about to start all over again!

Thanks to all our sponsors for their support and to the parents, coaches, and volunteers who are fueling our growth. See you at the races!

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Freshman/Sophmore Girls | Salem Hills 2012

2013 MN High School Cycling League venues and dates:
9/8 - Race #1 - Salem Hills, Inver Grove Heights, MN
9/21 - Race #2 - Jail Trail, St. Cloud, MN
9/29 - Race #3 - Hillside Park, Elk River, MN
10/13 - Race #4 - White Tail Ridge, River Falls, WI
10/27 - Race #5 - State Championships: Mt. Kato, Mankato, MN
11/2 - Season Awards Banquet

Additional Race and MN League Information:
MN League Website: minnesotamtb.org
MN League Facebook: facebook.com/MinnesotaMTB
MN League Twitter: twitter.com/MinnesotaMTB

Media Contacts:
Libby Shea Hurley | [email protected] | 952.835.4540

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About the Minnesota High School Cycling League
The Minnesota High School Cycling League, founded in 2011, serves all Minnesota high school-aged students, and regardless of ability level, is committed to providing a positive co-ed cycling experience. New for 2013, the MN League launched Crank Sisters, an outreach program established to recruit girls to race and women to become licensed coaches in the MN League. Each MN League season includes summer camps, a five-race series, wilderness first aid certification courses and a Spring Leaders’ Summit for training and certification of coaches. The MN League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities, as well as generous donors, and MN League sponsors including the founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components; as well as establishing NICA sponsors Easton Foundations, SRAM, and Trek Bicycles; major sponsors Sho-Air, Clif Bar and Company, Clif Bar Foundation, Primal Wear, Quality Bicycle Products, GU Sports, Kinetic, Maxxis, CamelBak, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Fox Racing Shox, and Ritchey Designs; media partners Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Rag, Mountain Bike Review, Switchback and Cyclingnews. MN League specific sponsors include Founding Retailers Penn Cycle and Erik’s Bike and Board Shop, Mt Borah, Life Time Cycle, HealthPartners Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Muscle Milk, the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, Park Tool, Peace Coffee Racing Team, Salsa, Ipsity Marketing, Random Bikes, and Valley Bike and Ski. For more information on the MN League, visit minnesotamtb.org.