CADILLAC'S TEAM CATERA PRESENCE STRONG AT 1999 PAN-AM CHAMPIONSHIPS

DETROIT -- Three of Team Catera's four riders have been chosen to compete on behalf of their home countries at the Pan-Am Championships mountain bike event this weekend in Manizales, Columbia. The event, an official qualifying race for the 2000 Olympics, is an important stepping stone in the quest for the Olympic gold.

Team Catera riders Gretchen Reeves and Carl Swenson are two of five riders chosen to compete on behalf of the United States. Teammate Chris Sheppard has been chosen to ride for the Canadian National Team.

The Pan-Am Championships held June 12-13 garners major Union Cyclists Internationale (UCI) points for the athletes chosen to compete. It also helps the United States and other countries earn more UCI points, which, in turn, helps increase the number of start positions it receives for the Olympic Games. In addition to his participation in the Pan-Am Championships, Swenson is the top-ranking American in the UCI World Standings (31st place) after a 45th-place finish at the UCI World Cup #5 in Plymouth, England. Swenson has placed in the top third of the field against the world's leading riders at all UCI races this season.

"We are thrilled about the accomplishments of Carl and the rest of the team, " said Jay Spenchian, Cadillac's brand manager for Catera, the team's primary sponsor. "Catera is a brand that stands for outstanding performance and Team Catera has certainly been outstanding this season. We at Cadillac couldn't be more proud." Team Catera's fourth rider, Golden Brainard, is also well on her way to Sydney.

Brainard has been chosen to participate in activities for USA Cycling's 'A' Team - a collection of the country's top cross-country athletes who have proven they can compete at the highest international level. Brainard will represent Team Catera this weekend at the NORBA Championship Series #3 at Seven Springs Resort in Champion, Penn. This is Team Catera's second year competing on the National Off-Road Biking Association (NORBA) and UCI circuits. They ride the trails on the latest in mountain biking technology from Klein Bicycles, and are outfitted for competition in technical cycling clothing from Castelli and in active apparel from DKNY ACTIVE off the bike.

The team also travels with an official team vehicle, a sunburst orange Cadillac Catera that can be seen in the Team Catera tech site at 11 NORBA and UCI events this season.