NAPA, Calif. (March 25, 2000) -- U.S. mountain biker Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Team GT) almost made it two-in-a-row Sunday at the UCI World Cup cross-country opener in Napa, Calif. The 1999 national cross-country champion won the event in 1999, but settled for second this year and was the top American in women's race. Three-time national champion and '96 Olympian Tinker Juarez (Downey, Calif. -- Volvo-Cannondale) finished 35th and was the top U.S. rider in the men's race.

Australian Mary Grigson won the women's race, while Bas Van Doren took the top spot in the men's event.

The women's race began with a group of eight riders, including Grigson, Dunlap, World Cup champion Alison Sydor and '96 Olympic gold medalist Paola Pezzo, taking the lead from the start. While several riders made attempts to attack and leave the group behind, only Grigson would succeed. Dunlap fell to second with Sydor, Pezzo and Canadian Chrissy Redden chasing hard. Dunlap, who was ranked second in the world in 1999, was able to hold of the trio and finished ahead of Sydor by 15 seconds.

Behind Dunlap, three-time consecutive national cross-country champion Ruthie Matthes (Durango, Colo. -- Trek-Volkswagen) 12th, with fellow 2000 Olympic Long Team members Ann Trombley (Golden, Colo. -- Team Koulius Zaard) and Shari Kain (Cupertino, Calif. -- RLX Polo Sport) placing 16th and 20th, respectively.

In the men's race, Van Dooren led a group of 10 men for the first lap before he and French rider Miguel Martinez put more than a half of a lap between themselves and the chase group. At the start of the last lap, Van Dooren attacked and left Martinez behind in second.

American Carl Swenson (Boulder, Colo. -- RLX Polo Sport) was riding strong in 15th place until he flatted in the third lap. Later, Swenson had a bout of bad luck when he flatted again and had to pull out of the race. Behind Juarez, '99 Pan American Games gold medalist Steve Larsen (Ashland, Ore. -- LL Bean/Mongoose) was 38th, Andy Bishop (Williston, Vt. -- Gary Fisher-Saab) was 42nd and '99 national cross-country champion Travis Brown (Boulder, Colo. -- Trek-Volkswagen) finished 48th despite a flat tire.

Two American juniors reigned triumphant at the Napa World Cup opener. 2000 World Cyclo-Cross Championship silver medalist Walker Ferguson (Norwood, Colo. -- Devo) and '99 junior national cross-country champion Magen Long (Oklahoma City -- Subaru-Specialized) won their races.

Women: 23.4 miles

1. MARY GRIGSON, Australia (Gary Fisher-Saab), at 1 hour, 56 minutes and 17 seconds; 2. Alison Dunlap, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team GT) @ 1:55 back; 3. Alison Sydor, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Volvo-Cannondale), @ 2:10 ; 4. Paola Pezzo, Italy (Gary Fisher-Saab), @ 1:58; 5. Chrissy Redden, Campbellville, ONT, Canada (Gary Fisher-Saab) @ 2:34.

Other U.S. Finishers: 12. Ruthie Matthes, Durango, Colo. (Ttrek-Volkswagen); 16. Ann Trombley, Golden, Colo. (Team Koulius Zaard); 20. Shari Kain, Cupertino, Calif. (RLX Polo Sport); 23. Rachel Lloyd, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Voo-Doo Cycles); 25. Audrey Augustin (Team Koulius Zaard); 27. Kim Smith, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (SoBe/HeadShok); 28. Shonny Vanlandingham, Pagosa Springs, Colo. (SoBe/HeadShok); 32. Gretchen Reeves, Eagle, Colo. (Cane Creek); 36. Rhonda Quick, San Diego; 37. Willow Koerber, Asheville, N.C. (Cane Creek); 42. Sara Ellis; 47. Niki Pippin, Vail, Colo. (Team Koulius Zaard); 49. Gina Hall, Orinda, Calif. (Team Koulius Zaard); 51. Carmen Richardson, Bethel, Conn. (SoBe/HeadShok).

Men: 32 miles

1. BAS VAN DOOREN, The Netherlands (Be-One) at 2 hours, 17 minutes and 45 seconds; 2. Miguel Martinez, France (Full Dynamix) @ 0:54 back; 3. Marcel Heller, Switzerland (Arrow Swiss) @ 2:01; 4. Roland Green, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Team GT), @ 2:22; 5. Bart Brentjens, The Netherlands (Subaru-Specialized) @ 2:59.

Other U.S. Finishers: 35. Tinker Juarez, Downey, Calif. (Volvo-Cannondale); 38. Steve Larsen, Ashland, Ore. (LL Bean/Mongoose); 42. Andy Bishop, Williston, Vt. (Gary Fisher-Saab); 48. Travis Brown, Boulder, Colo. (Trek-Volkswagen); 54. Greg Randolph, Boulder, Colo. (Team GT); 56. Jess Swiggers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mongoose Pro); 60. Chris Eatough; 63. David Wiens, Gunnison, Colo. (RLX Polo Sport); 70. Adam Craig, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Devo)