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Just read this in Velonews and thought you might be interested to read. Definitely looking forward to the upcoming CX Season!!!!!!
Dave
PRESS RELEASE - Pontoni will ride Crank Brothers series
By Press Release
This report filed October 1, 2004
Crank Brothers cyclocross series takes on European flair
BOSTON - Reigning Italian national champion Daniele Pontoni is planning to race all six events in the inaugural Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross, bringing all the luster of a former two-time world champion to the series, which kicks off on Saturday Oct. 9th with the Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic, in Portland, Oregon.
Pontoni, who finished fourth in the World Championship last February, is no stranger to either the American cyclocross scene or the North American favorites. He raced here in Supercup events in 1999 and 2000, and those who competed against him know what kind of impact the Italian is likely to have in 2004.
"If Pontoni competes in the whole series, he'll be the man to beat from what I've seen of him," said Clif Bar-Colvita Olive Oil rider Mark McCormack, himself a former national champion. "He was untouchable last time."
"I think it will be good for the series," said another former U.S. national champion, Todd Wells, who is riding for GT-Hyundai this year. "The more ?fast guys' in the race, the less tactical it will be. That means the strongest riders will win, and that will make for more exciting races."
Neither McCormack nor Wells appear intimidated by Pontoni's presence in the races. They still expect fierce competition from each other and an exceptional list of favorites, which include Marc Gullickson (Redline), Team Kona's Dale Knapp and Eric Tonkin, Ryan Trebon and the Team Maxxis-Giant trio of Geoff Kabush, Adam Craig and Jonny Sundt.
"All the top guys will be racing the Gran Prix events," Kabush said from his home in Victoria, British Columbia. "With Pontoni coming over, it'll be exciting. Still, with six races, someone will beat him - you can't help but have a bad day."
Kabush's Maxxis-Giant team has already been identified as perhaps the force to be reckoned with in the series. Kabush and Craig - a six time national cyclocross champion in his own right - have posted sterling seasons on the mountain bike circuit and come into the cross season with great legs. Sundt, meanwhile, has already won several early season events this year and is clearly hungry for more.
"The team is super solid and I'm very excited about the U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross," said team manager Eric Wallace, ticking off his team's successes.
Wallace credits the new series and its title sponsor Crank Brothers with bringing all the top North American riders - and now Pontoni - together to compete head to head. "We all remember the days of the Super Cup and the caliber of athletes that followed that series," Wallace notes. "The U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross will certainly take over the footsteps vacated by Super Cup and reestablish a single series that holds cache value and prestige."
In addition to Crank Brothers, other sponsors of the U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross include presenting sponsor VeloNews, Selle Italia, Mavic, Clif Bar, Adidas, and BikeReg.com.
The Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series schedule for 2004 is as follows:
Race 1: October 9 - Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic, Portland, OR.
Race 2: October 10 - Clif Bar Grand Prix, Ft. Steilacoom Park, Tacoma, WA.
Race 3: October 30- Michelob Ultra Gran Prix of Gloucester #1, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA.
Race 4: October 31- Michelob Ultra Gran Prix of Gloucester #2, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA.
Race 5: November 20- Beacon CX, Bridgeton, NJ.
Race 6: November 21- Highland Park Cyclocross, Donaldson Park, Highland Park, NJ.
All six races will be held under UCI category and competition regulations. U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series leaders will be recognized at the conclusion of each event. Overall winners in the Elite Men, Elite Women, U-23, and Junior Men categories will receive automatic selection to the World Cyclocross Championships in St. Wendel, Germany in February, 2005. Master 35+ Men will also be ranked. Races in Massachusetts and New Jersey are part of the Verge NECCS and Verge MACCS.
For complete U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross details, go to www.usgpcyclocross.com .
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<DIV>Just read this in Velonews and thought you might be interested to read. Definitely looking forward to the upcoming CX Season!!!!!!</DIV>
<DIV>Dave</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana size=2> </FONT>
<DIV class=arttitle>PRESS RELEASE - Pontoni will ride Crank Brothers series</DIV>
<DIV class=artsubtitle></DIV>
<DIV class=artauthor>By Press Release</DIV>
<DIV class=artdate>This report filed October 1, 2004</DIV>
<P><FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=-1><B>Crank Brothers cyclocross series takes on European flair</B>
<P>BOSTON - Reigning Italian national champion Daniele Pontoni is planning to race all six events in the inaugural Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross, bringing all the luster of a former two-time world champion to the series, which kicks off on Saturday Oct. 9th with the Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic, in Portland, Oregon.
<P>Pontoni, who finished fourth in the World Championship last February, is no stranger to either the American cyclocross scene or the North American favorites. He raced here in Supercup events in 1999 and 2000, and those who competed against him know what kind of impact the Italian is likely to have in 2004.
<P>"If Pontoni competes in the whole series, he'll be the man to beat from what I've seen of him," said Clif Bar-Colvita Olive Oil rider Mark McCormack, himself a former national champion. "He was untouchable last time."
<P>"I think it will be good for the series," said another former U.S. national champion, Todd Wells, who is riding for GT-Hyundai this year. "The more ?fast guys' in the race, the less tactical it will be. That means the strongest riders will win, and that will make for more exciting races."
<P>Neither McCormack nor Wells appear intimidated by Pontoni's presence in the races. They still expect fierce competition from each other and an exceptional list of favorites, which include Marc Gullickson (Redline), Team Kona's Dale Knapp and Eric Tonkin, Ryan Trebon and the Team Maxxis-Giant trio of Geoff Kabush, Adam Craig and Jonny Sundt.
<P>"All the top guys will be racing the Gran Prix events," Kabush said from his home in Victoria, British Columbia. "With Pontoni coming over, it'll be exciting. Still, with six races, someone will beat him - you can't help but have a bad day."
<P>Kabush's Maxxis-Giant team has already been identified as perhaps the force to be reckoned with in the series. Kabush and Craig - a six time national cyclocross champion in his own right - have posted sterling seasons on the mountain bike circuit and come into the cross season with great legs. Sundt, meanwhile, has already won several early season events this year and is clearly hungry for more.
<P>"The team is super solid and I'm very excited about the U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross," said team manager Eric Wallace, ticking off his team's successes.
<P>Wallace credits the new series and its title sponsor Crank Brothers with bringing all the top North American riders - and now Pontoni - together to compete head to head. "We all remember the days of the Super Cup and the caliber of athletes that followed that series," Wallace notes. "The U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross will certainly take over the footsteps vacated by Super Cup and reestablish a single series that holds cache value and prestige."
<P>In addition to Crank Brothers, other sponsors of the U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross include presenting sponsor VeloNews, Selle Italia, Mavic, Clif Bar, Adidas, and BikeReg.com. <BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>The Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series schedule for 2004 is as follows: <BR>Race 1: October 9 - Cannondale Stumptown Cyclocross Classic, Portland, OR. <BR>Race 2: October 10 - Clif Bar Grand Prix, Ft. Steilacoom Park, Tacoma, WA. <BR>Race 3: October 30- Michelob Ultra Gran Prix of Gloucester #1, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA. <BR>Race 4: October 31- Michelob Ultra Gran Prix of Gloucester #2, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA. <BR>Race 5: November 20- Beacon CX, Bridgeton, NJ. <BR>Race 6: November 21- Highland Park Cyclocross, Donaldson Park, Highland Park, NJ.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT>
<P></P>
<P>
<P><BR><FONT face=Verdana size=2>All six races will be held under UCI category and competition regulations. U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series leaders will be recognized at the conclusion of each event. Overall winners in the Elite Men, Elite Women, U-23, and Junior Men categories will receive automatic selection to the World Cyclocross Championships in St. Wendel, Germany in February, 2005. Master 35+ Men will also be ranked. Races in Massachusetts and New Jersey are part of the Verge NECCS and Verge MACCS. </FONT>
<P><FONT face=Verdana size=2>For complete U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross details, go to www.usgpcyclocross.com . <BR> </FONT>
<P><FONT face=Verdana><FONT size=2>-30- END OF RELEASE</FONT><FONT size=2> </FONT></FONT></P></DIV></body></html>
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