FIVE ATHLETES RECEIVE AUTOMATIC NOMINATIONS TO CYCLO-CROSS WORLDS TEAMNational Champions and U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross Series WinnersRecognizedProvidence, R.I. (December 18, 2006)-USA Cycling announced todayautomatic nominations to the 2007 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship Team. Following the completion of the 2006 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championshipsthis past weekend in Providence, R.I., five athletes have earned automaticnominations from the national governing body in the elite women's, U23men's and junior men's categories.Three-time national champion, Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Spike)earned an automatic nomination by virtue of her win Sunday in the elitewomen's race in Providence.  Runner-up Georgia Gould (Ketchum, Idaho/Luna)also earned a bid as the top American in the final series standings in the 2006 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross. Canadian Lyne Bessette earned the title as overall series champion.In the U23 men's division, national champion Jesse Anthony (BeverlyMass./Clif Bar) secured an automatic nomination, as did USGP of Cyclo-crossoverall champion Jamey Driscoll (Jericho, Vt./FiordiFrutta).Danny Summerhill (Centennial, Colo./TIAA CREF-Clif Bar) - both the nationalchampion in the junior men's 17-18 division and the USGP overall winner- receives the only automatic nomination in the junior men's category.Per USA Cycling's selection procedures, automatic nominees for the elitemen's category will be announced on Jan. 9.The 2007 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are scheduled for Jan.27-28 in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium.

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About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale,USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX),National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation(road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S.Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more informationvisit www.usacycling.org.