From USA Cycling

Colorado Endurance Sports will be showcasing the 2012 Ute Valley Pro XCT Presented by ROTOR Bike USA on June 16th and 17th in Colorado Springs. After a three-month break, the Ute Valley Pro XCT will be the third of five races USA Cycling's Pro Cross-Country Tour (Pro XCT), the nation's premier mountain bike cross-country calendar.

The Ute Valley venue will include a Pro XCT cross country, amateur cross country, kids, junior, short track, and Pro “Eliminator” race. This spectator friendly venue starts and finishes on a dirt running track that encloses the Ute Valley Cycling Expo which will showcase the latest and greatest in cycling equipment, apparel and accessories. Ute Valley is a mountain bike oasis filled with tight twisty single track, short steep climbs, and fun speedy rocky descents. At 4.5 miles in length the course will include a great mix of open double track suitable for passing, as well as technical riding that will not only be incredibly fun for the racers, but also very spectator friendly. Additionally at 6,100 feet of elevation and with 344 feet of climbing per lap, the terrain and speed will push your limits.

The lineup will include: Colin Cares, Colorado College Graduate that races for the Kenda/Felt Pro MTB Team, is currently leading the Pro Men’s Division. Ryan Trebon multi time National Cyclocross Champion, JHK Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski 10 time National Mountain Bike Champion, Colorado Spring’s own Russell Finsterwald Continental U23 Champion. Last year’s winner, Max Plaxton, currently sits in 2nd place, just 40 points behind Cares. Todd Wells, will also be looking to improve their team standing (currently 5th, 10 points back). Zephanie Blasi, from Tucson, AZ, is the leader on the women’s side. Only 60 points separate the top 5 in both the men’s and women’s races, and with 190 points up for grabs for the winner, a decisive series lead could be established at Ute Valley. The timing of the event should make for even more exciting racing. The Olympic Mountain Bike Team will be announced the day before the races, on Friday, June 15th, in Colorado Springs. This means that there will likely be a couple of Olympic contenders participating in the races at Ute Valley Pro XCT powered by Rotor. In addition to the pro cross country races, there will also be amateur cross country, short track racing, kids racing, and the first-ever Pro XCT Eliminator.

Race schedule
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Registration and Packet Pick-up for all categories & Juniors
7 a.m. - 8 am: Cross-Country course open for pre-riding

8 am: CAT 3: Citizen, and Beginner Men and Women start (2 laps)
9:15 am: CAT 2 Cross Country Men and Women start (3 Laps)
11 am: CAT 1 Cross Country Men and Women start (4 laps Men 3 Laps Women)
12:55 pm: Kids on Bikes Race
1:15 pm: Pro Women’s Ute Valley Pro XCT Staging
1:30 pm: Pro Women’s Ute Valley Pro XCT Start (5 laps)
3:15 pm: Pro Men’s Ute Valley Pro XCT Staging
3:30 pm: Pro Men’s Ute Valley Pro XCT Start (6 laps)
5:45 pm: Pro XCT Award Ceremony, all category awards will be held post race.