Epic Battle Shaping Up for 24 Hour World Championships

EPIC BATTLE GUARANTEED BETWEEN GLOBAL HEROES AT WORLD 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS - SEPTEMBER 13-17, 2012 

The Global Gauntlet has been thrown as the current two-time World 24 Hour Solo Mens Champion, five of the leading Solo Endurance Mountain Bike Category athletes and entries from over twelve countries across the planet have signed up for the 2012 World 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships to be held in Canmore, Alberta, Canada from September 13th-17th.

REIGNING CHAMP COMING BACK FOR MORE -

Australian Jason English (Merida), winner of the last two World Championships, is returning for his third 24 Hour race at Canmore. English finished 2nd in 2008, won in 2009, and repeated in 2010.

"The Worlds in 2012 are going to be much harder than in the past," says English. "The level of competition has come way up, and it's going to be a fine balance between pacing yourself and not letting one of the top guys go off the front too far. I'm really looking forward to it, and feel like this event is pushing the sport to a new level of professionalism."

TINKER "THE LEGEND" RETURNS - Former Champion, World Veteran Mountain Bike Champion, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Inductee, BMX Hall of Fame Inductee, and all-around cycling anomaly Tinker Juarez (Cannondale) will return to collect the title he last won in 2007 at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

"In 2008, I was defending my title in Canmore and winning quite decisively, when I got so much mud in my eyes that I had to abandon the race," states Juarez, "I've got some unfinished business to take care of this September. I can't wait to get back to Canmore."

A TRUE LEADER - Kelly Magelky (Trek) knows what it's like to lead the 24 Hour Worlds. In 2007, he led Tinker for virtually the entire event, until Tinker passed him with a couple of laps to go.

"My family came up to Canmore to watch me race in 2008. The beauty alone was worth the trip, and the whole town was excited to have us there" says Magelky. "The way that 2012 is shaping up, I believe it's going to be the most competitive and exciting Worlds to date. I know how prepared my competitors are going to be. I also know how prepared I'll be and it will definitely make for an interesting and close battle."

THE MULTI-TIME CHAMP - New to Canmore and Twenty4Sports events is Josh Tostado (Santa Cruz), the three-time U.S. 24 Hour Solo National Champion.

Josh has also won the 24 Hours of Moab three times, Montezuma's Revenge twice, and has numerous other victories under his belt.

"In speaking with Stuart Dorland, the promoter of the Worlds, I can tell we definitely share a passion for 24 Hour MTB racing," states Josh. "I have done many 24 hour solo races and it never gets easy, especially when racing with great competition. It still makes me nervous just thinking about how far into the pain cave you have to go to win a big race!"

RUNNER UP LOOKS TO TOP PODIUM - Cory Wallace (Kona Bikes) lives right up above Canmore in Jasper, Alberta, and finished second at the 2010 Worlds in Australia.

"Cory really has a chance to do well this year," comments Dorland. "I think he could have won in 2010 with a little bit better planning for his off-the-bike support. I think he learned a lot from that experience and will be ready to throw down next September."

LOCALS ONLY - While hailing from Canmore itself, Leighton Poidevin (Santa Cruz) has put the hammer down at events including La Ruta de Los Conquistadores and Trans Rockies, among others.

"The town of Canmore is stoked to have the 24 Hour Worlds back," says Leighton. "I personally can't wait for everyone to come race on my local trails. I've been racing here since 2007, and the terrain and scenery are World Class. The race seems to be gaining a lot of momentum in the Endurance Community already, and I'm sure it's going to be Epic."

For more information on the World 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships go to: www.24hoursofadrenalin.com/worldchampionships.