Candi Murray

HEALTH NET PORTLAND TWILIGHT CRITERIUM



What: 4th Annual Health Net Portland Twilight Criterium



When: Friday Evening, August 12, 2005

Festivities begin at 5:00pm

Racing begins at 7pm



Where: Downtown Portland - South Park Blocks





The Portland Twilight Criterium is pleased to announce that Health Net

of Oregon will be the title sponsor for the 2005 event. "This is great

for the event for a number of reasons", says Race Director Brad Ross,

"We are going to be able to dramatically increase the amount of prize

money, which means more pros, as well as the exposure for the event and

sponsors." Health Net, an eight state health care provider, also

commands one of the strongest bicycle racing teams in the country.

Several members of the team, along with their forty-foot, decorated bus,

will be in attendance at this year's criterium.



The prize money has more than doubled and now stands at $10,000 cash for

the Pro, 1, 2 race, $3,000 for the masters 35+ (cat 2, 3). This

qualifies the Health Net Portland Twilight Criterium as one of the

richest races in the Pacific Northwest. Another major west coast event,

The Manhattan Beach Criterium on Sunday, August 14, provides even

further incentive for professional teams to race in Portland.



Last year, organizers added live music, food vendors and a beer garden

to the infield. "This year, we are adding bleachers to key viewing areas

to accommodate the crowds", says Ross, "we are anticipating a crowd of

fifteen to twenty thousand people."