Visit xterraplanet.com for the scoop on all the activities and races.

XTerra isn't the only winter triathlon in the state, though. Last weekend, a few dozen hearty souls showed up for the Battle at Soldier Hollow. The run/bike/ski triathlon was won by John Woodruff who covered the course in 1:29:36. Kim Watson was the first woman across the finish line at 2:20:25.

INTERMOUNTAIN CUP OPENS: Bike racing begins this weekend in Utah with the first mountain bike race of the season. The Intermountain Cup series has its kickoff event in St. George with the Red Rock Desert Rampage.

Racing for newcomers to the sport begins at 9:45 on March 1. Experts and professionals take to the course at noon for four laps of racing on some of Utah's best single-track trails.

Bart Gillespie will be back to defend his title as the state's top mountain bike racer with Thomas Spannring and Alex Grant providing challenge. Kara Holley won the women's title in 2007 with Jennifer Hanks close behind.

The 12-race series takes mountain bikers around the region for races. Check out intermountaincup.com for a schedule and registration info.

SPEED FREAKS GEARING UP: With roads drying up, road cyclists are training for the upcoming season. The area's first road race isn't until April, but the Utah Criterium Series kicks off its season on March 8 at Rocky Mountain Raceways. With three flights taking to the pavement for high speed action, there will likely be more than 200 cyclists participating in the year's first local race.

Dave Harward ran away with the A Flight crown last year while Stan Price and Mike Pratt battled it out in the B Flight.

The A and B flights begin at noon with the C group racing at 1 p.m. Saturday races will be the norm until the schedule switches to racing every Tuesday night at RMR beginning April 1.

The Hell of the North kicks off the road racing scene on April 5. Visit cycleutah.com for a full calendar of road racing events.

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com