Lees-McRae College will once again host the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, starting Friday in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

The action begins Friday morning with the cross-country races held on a five-mile loop through the Appalachian Mountains. Both Division I and II men and women will compete over the varying, half-single track course, which is a permanent fixture on the Lees-McRae campus.

Later that afternoon, gravity riders will attempt to qualify for the finals on the technical downhill course at Sugar Mountain Resort.

Saturday the action will return to the Lees-McRae campus where the short track races will be held. That afternoon at approximately 2 p.m., the finals of the downhill competition will take place at Sugar Mountain.

Sunday’s finale will feature a pure dual slalom competition on Lees-McRae’s own course. The event will conclude with the coronation of the overall team and individual omnium national champions in both Division I and II.

2008 Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals Schedule
Friday, Oct. 24

6:00 - 7:00 a.m. - Packet Pick Up
8:00 a.m. Cross Country Men's Div. I & II
11:00 a.m. Cross Country Women's Div. I & II
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Downhill Practice
3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Downhill Qualifying (last ride at 5:30 p.m.)
7:30 p.m. Riders Meeting

Saturday, Oct. 25

6:00 - 7:00 a.m. - Packet Pick Up
8:00 a.m. Short Track - Women's Div. II
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m Dual Slalom Practice
8:45 a.m. Short Track - Men's Div. II
9:30 a.m. Short Track - Women's Div. I
10:15 a.m. Short Track - Men's Div. I
11:00 a.m. Short Track - Men's B and Coaches' Race
11:30 a.m. Short Track - Women's B
12:00 p.m Kids' Race
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Downhill Race Men's and Women's Div. I & II
6:00 p.m. Riders Meeting
7:00 p.m. Banquet

Sunday, Oct. 26

8:00 a.m. Dual Slalom Qualifying and Finals
Final Awards after Dual Slalom