Natchez resident and cycling enthusiast Curtis Moroney was thrilled to receive a call three weeks ago from George Heagerty of USA Cycling Inc. Heagerty called to ask Moroney if Natchez would be interesting in hosting the National Bicycle Championship this spring.

&uot;I was really, really excited,&uot;&160;Moroney said. &uot;I was pretty speechless at first.&uot;

The United States Cycling Federation is seriously considering Natchez as the site for the Sunday, May 21 race. It will make an official announcement today.

The USCF Elite National Championship will draw about 200 category one cyclists — the highest level possible — from across the country to Natchez for the event.

&uot;I think just to Natchez, as a whole, it’s an honor,&uot; Moroney said. &uot;As much as anything, it’s just a compliment to the people of Natchez.&uot;

USCF is considering Natchez as a location because the Olympic trials for the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia, will take place in Jackson the same weekend.

&uot;We wanted to have something close (and) Natchez has a good history of successful cycling events,&uot;&160;said Evan Call, USCF/USPRO managing director.

The community and the mayor’s office have also been very cooperative and the course is suitable, he said.

The race will last five hours and cover about 115 miles, including about five or six loops of downtown Natchez.

&uot;This is historically the event from which athletes get selected to represent the country in international competition,&uot; Call said.

The top amateurs who will move up to professional competition are also represented in this group, he said.

Five members of the locally-sponsored Herring Gas team are eligible for the race.

Moroney, who also helps coordinate the annual Natchez Bicycle Classic each June, said the National Championship will draw people from a larger circle than the June race.

Although actual economic impact to Natchez has not yet been estimated, about 1,000 people, including cyclists, coaches and mechanics, can be expected to come to Natchez for the event, Call said.

Frank Moak, owner of the Natchez Bicycle Center on Main Street, said events like this are always good for his business.

&uot;People seeing people riding bicycles is good for me,&uot; Moak said.

Moroney said he thinks events like this can inspire people to take better care of themselves.

&uot;It’s amazing what these athletes are able to do,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s just an opportunity to see just how far the human body can be pushed.&uot;