Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 21, 1995                   TAG: 9504210128
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

W.VA., PITTSBURGH GET CYCLING TRIALS

In West Virginia, a women's time trial will be held May 22, 1996, a men's time trial on May 23 and a women's road race on May 24.

Sites for the races are undetermined, but Gov. Gaston Caperton indicated communities that have been host to Kmart Classic stages have the best chances.

West Virginia has not held an Olympic trial in any sport.

In Pittsburgh, two bicycle races will serve as trial events in the selection of the U.S. Olympic cycling teams.

City officials and the U.S. Cycling Federation said the two races are the Thrift Drug Classic and Thrift Drug Women's Invitational, both to be held May 26, 1996.

Also, the 1996 Women's Invitational has been designated the country's official road race championship for women.

Other sites for trials include Seattle and Charlotte, N.C. The Olympic cycling teams will be announced June 2.

The top two finishers in the men's series will automatically qualify for the men's Olympic road cycling team, which will consist of five riders. The top finisher in the women's series will automatically qualify for the women's Olympic road cycling team, which will consist of three riders.

The remaining spots on the road teams will be coaches' selections.

The Thrift Drug Classic course includes a steep ascent of Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington, a climb that is made 10 times and reaches a peak elevation of 1,150 feet. A portion of the climb features a half-mile ride with an 18 percent grade.