Candi Murray
Candi
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Brown [mailto:konacross@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 8:34 PM
To: Newsgroup Cycling
Subject: NWCYCLING: FW: Press Release: CRANK BROTHERS U.S. GRAN PRIX OF
CYCLOCROSS SERIE
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2006
Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series Champions to be crowned
in the Pacific Northwest this weekend
(LAKEWOOD, WA) -- NOVEMBER 16, 2006 - The Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of
Cyclocross will make its last two stops of the series with the Rad Cup
Presented by Seasoned Skewers, Lakewood, Washington on Saturday November 18
and the Scion Stumptown Cup, Portland, Oregon on Sunday November 19. With
rain all week and more rain in the forecast on the weekend, the ability to
succeed in the wet stuff will be the key to taking the series overall
championship and an automatic USA Cycling world championship berth.
"This year's US Gran Prix has been the best series to date. In addition to
the world-class racing, we've enjoyed terrific host cities and venues as
well as the great fans who continue to prove that the sport of cyclocross is
growing in the United States," said Bruce Fina, marketing director of the
Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross. "We look forward to a great
final weekend in the Pacific Northwest and crowning our 2006 USGP
champions."
The final USGP weekend kicks off with the Rad Cup Presented by Seasoned
Skewers in Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Washington -- a mainstay of
Seattle's cyclocross scene for 15 years. The course consists of 30% pavement
and 50% dirt with a long start/finish paved section where wind can be a
factor. There is a high content of sand in the soil and the course soaks up
water very well so, despite the rain, mud may not be a factor in this race.
"The recent rains have not damaged the race course; it's in great shape,"
said Jim Brown, promoter Rad Cup Presented by Seasoned Skewers. "We have
made some changes to the course make it more challenging and spectator
friendly. We have top notch race day food from our sponsor Seasoned Skewers,
a beer tent right on the course, music at the top of the Kona "Knapp Time"
run-up and even Roller Derby Podium girls. It's going to be a fun day with
great racing action."
Host club Cascade Bicycle Club will host a kid's race and a "Skillz and
Thillz Zone" mountain bike course for all kids in attendance. Chris Horner
and the Kona Team are schedule to lead out the kid's race at 12:15 p.m.
Also, notable is the homecoming of USGP Men's series leader Ryan Trebon
(Kona). Trebon is a 1999 graduate of nearby Steilacoom High School.
The sixth and final race of the 2006 USGP series will be the Scion Stumptown
Cup, Portland, Oregon on Sunday November 19. And just as Brown is confidant
in the Lakewood course holding up in the rain, Brad Ross, promoter of
Sunday's race in Portland is equally as confidant..that it's going to get
messy.
"With all of the rain that we've gotten in Portland over the last two weeks,
I can promise you this will be that muddiest USGP of the year," said Ross,
promoter, Scion Stumptown Cup. "Although, several long pavement sections
and a concrete stair run-up will give riders a chance to shake off the
clumps."
The Scion Cup will be held at Hillsboro Stadium where the course is fairly
flat and features a mix of grass, pavement and dirt (or mud). In the evening
following the race, organizers are throwing a party to awards for the Cross
Crusade Series and USGP champs.
As has been the case throughout the series, the USGP is partnering with Clif
Bar to present the Clif Bar Start Global Cooling Program -- a
series-specific sustainability and green-up program that will enable the
USGP to leave its race venues in as good, if not better, condition than when
arrived. All riders and spectators will have the opportunity to purchase a
"Cool Tag" at registration that will enable them to offset the climate
impact of traveling to the race with the ultimate goal of making the series
"climate neutral".
STANDINGS
Heading into the final weekend, it's Ryan Trebon (Kona) in the lead on the
Men's side. Trebon has been dominant in the series taking three or the four
wins thus far. Despite his current number one ranking, Trebon must have a
strong showing this weekend to keep the leader's jersey and take the USGP
crown. Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), with three second
place finishes in the series, only trails Trebon by 30 points. Trebon's
Kona teammate Barry Wicks is also within striking distance only 40 points
back.
On the women's side it's an even closer race. Series leader Georgia Gould
(Luna) holds a miniscule four point advantage over reining USGP champ Lyne
Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com). Gould's teammate Katerina Nash sits in third
and will be a factor in the outcome of the weekend's races as team tactics
will come into play. Katie Compton (Spike) may have a difficult time
contending for the series crown after missing the first two USGP races but
should be a huge factor in the strategy and outcome of this weekend's races
and the series.
The official sponsors of the 2006 US Gran Prix of Cyclocross series include
Crank Brothers, VeloNews, Clif Bar, SRAM, Ridley, Selle Italia, Challenge
Tires, Yakima, Cyclocrossworld.com, Mavic, Verge Sport, BikeReg.com, adidas
and AbbiOrca.com Photography.
For more information on the 2006 Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross
please visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.
About the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Teaming with prominent promoters in strong cycling markets and working in
conjunction with USA Cycling and the UCI, US Gran Prix of Cyclocross
attracts the best riders in North America to the series. For more
information, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.
###
Contacts:
Bruce Fina
U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
FinaSport@aol.com
Mobile: +43-676-444-2003
Ed Donovan
for U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
610-220-1441
Ed@egdpr.com
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