moab timeUSA Cycling announced that it will hold the 2009 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championship at the 24-Hours of Moab in Moab, UT on Oct. 10-11th, 2009. USAC also revealed that the 2010 USA Nationals will be held at the 24-Hours of Big Bear in Hazelton, WV on June 12-13th, 2010.

Originally slated to be held in Arizona, the 24-Hour Mountain Bike Nationals were re-set due to schedule and location conflicts. Under the current plan, the Nationals will now be run through Granny Gear Productions for the next two years.

Laird Knight, president of Granny Gear Productions, said: “Moab will be the perfect battle ground for a National Championship race. The course is a classic mix of high-speed double-track, technical sections and power-sucking sand-traps. Likewise, I’m very excited about Big Bear being the National Championships for 24-hour racing in 2010. Our West Virginia venue represents the roots of 24-hour racing, and for the first time the USA Cycling 24-hour National Championships will be held at an East-coast venue. Big Bear represents the ultimate east-coast course with mile after mile of wooded single-track, moss-covered rock gardens, birch and hickory forests and beautiful mountain laurel just be coming into bloom. We’ve just recently purchased the 24 Hours of 9-Mile from Kevin Eccles and will be bidding for the Nationals to return to 9-mile in 2011.”

The national championship competition in Moab will be open to American riders only. The 24-Hours of Moab event; however, will offer more than 20 divisions open to various age groups, skill levels and team sizes. The Moab event offers a $20,000 total cash purse and more than $30,000 in prizes.