Short of picking a world championship venue in the United States, Canada is about as close as American spectators will get to seeing the world's elite.

As national cross-country champs, Georgia Gould and Todd Wells are two of 53 athletes nominated to represent the United States at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont Ste Anne, Quebec, September 1-5.

Rain and mud can't keep Geoff Kabush and Lene Byberg from admiring their first World Cup wins. Julien Absalon retains overall series lead.