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Mountain Biking News - May 2009
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Friday, 29 May 2009JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Event organizers and Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today announced the participation of USA Cycling's National Race Calendar's top-ranked team OUCH presented by MAXXIS to the line up for the Tour of Missouri, an elite professional cycling race scheduled for September 7-13, 2009.
The OUCH Presented by MAXXIS team joins an increasingly prestigious roster of announ ced for the third annual event, including Astana, BMC Racing, Cervelo Test Team, Columbia-High Road, Garmin-Slipstream, Jelly Belly, Liquigas, QuickStep and SaxoBank.
A total of fifteen teams will compete, and individual race rosters will be announced in August.
Team OUCH will be led by Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Amgen Tour of California and the 2006 Tour de Georgia. Team standout Rory Sutherland of Australia was the 2008 United States National Race Calendar winner and is currently positioned No. 1 domestically. Sutherland's versatility has enabled him to dominate cycling; his experience coupled with a team line up that works exceptionally well together, has created a formidable group considered one of the strongest continental squads racing in the Americas.
"With the addition of Team OUCH, the Tour of Missouri continues on pace to become one of the elite racing events in the world. Without a doubt, fans will witness an exciting and competitive race," said Chris Aronhalt, the managing partner of event organizer Medalist Sports. "Team OUCH adds another layer of distinction to the race. Team OUCH has traditionally been one of the top teams in western hemisphere over the past five years."
Team OUCH comes off of a strong finish at Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Ark., with top racers including Rory Sutherland, Karl Menzies, Andrew Pinfold, John Murphy and Bobby Lea.
The overall course will start in St. Louis and end in Kansas City, routing more than 600 miles of the Show-Me State. Last year an estimated 435,000 spectators lined the roadside for the event; while people from 145 countries watched live coverage via the world webcast of the event.
A pair of Americans have won the first iterations of the race: Christian Vande Velde, who finished fourth overall in the Tour de France before winning in 2008; and George Hincapie, who won the inaugural race in 2007. Both Vande Velde and Hincapie are expected back with their Garmin-Slipstream and Columbia-High Road teams, respectively, this year.
"Team OUCH adds to the event's appeal to race fans, biking enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys watching elite athletes compete," said Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. "This team is considered one of the strongest teams in the world, and we look forward to the respect and attention that such a group will attract to the event. We expect the third Tour of Missouri to be a high profile event, garnering status as one of the premier cycling events in the world."
The 2009 race will be contested over seven days and seven stages. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph).
Though a stellar world-class field was presented last year, the three-year-old race is expected to be even better as the Tour of Missouri was granted an upgrade to one of the top five-ranked events outside Europe by international and national federation's for cycling. Additional teams will be announced in coming weeks.
The Tour of Missouri's premier sponsors to-date are Missouri Tourism, Missouri Farm Bureau of Jefferson City and St. Louis-based companies Drury Hotels, Emerson and Edward Jones.
Industry sponsors to date are MAVIC, Yakima, and Hincapie Sportswear.
For more information: www.tourofmissouri.com.
Thursday, 28 May 2009JEFFERSON CITY, MO − Officials with the 2009 Tour of Missouri announced five additional sponsors, adding to the impressive line up of previously announced Missouri companies supporting the race. The Tour of Missouri is an elite pro cycling race, spanning seven days, September 7-13, and covering 600-plus miles. Illustrating the success of the three-year-old professional sporting event, each of the featured sponsors — Wind Capital Group, MAVIC, Yakima, Missouri's Electric Cooperatives and Assurant Health Insurance — is renewing their support for the event.
"The commitments from each of the returning sponsors underscore the event's unprecedented marketing value as well as its positive economic impact to the community and the state," said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. "We salute our sponsors and look forward to presenting another world-class professional sporting event, free to attend and watch for fans across the globe. We are committed to creating even more opportunities for new sponsors to help partner with the Tour of Missouri."
Based in the Midwest, Wind Capital Group builds wind farms with a project strategy that places serious focus on community involvement and developing relationships to guide a project toward success. Wind Capital Group has developed and constructed the only four operational wind farms in the state of Missouri, totaling 162 megawatts. One of these projects, the Loess Hills Wind Farm, led to the city of Rock Port, Mo., which has become America's first 100 percent wind-powered community. According to Wind Capital Group's President Tom Carnahan, partnering with the Tour of Missouri is an ideal fit.
"We are proud of the opportunity to once again be a part of the Tour of Missouri and recognize the great value an event like this brings to the state and its local communities," he said. "Wind Capital Group harnesses and delivers natural American wind energy resources, powering thousands of homes across the United States, mirroring the natural energy intrinsic to the sport of cycling."
Currently, Wind Capital Group is developing wind farm projects in 16 states across the central United States with a development pipeline of over 2,500 megawatts, including an additional 500 megawatts in the northwestern part of Missouri.
This year the Tour of Missouri will pass directly by its Bluegrass Ridge wind farm northeast of King City in northwest Missouri. The sponsorship will be highlighted with the title sponsorship for Stage 6 of the Tour into St. Joseph. The Tour will grant still and licensed moving images in perpetuity to Wind Capital Group that they can use in future television and web advertising. They also will be incorporated into a vignette creatively featuring wind power. Wind Capital Group will be served up extensive hospitality within the race, especially in St. Louis and St. Joseph.
Also renewing its support is MAVIC, which will provide neutral technical support for the race. Recognized by their bright yellow cars and motorcycles, which are featured as part of the caravan, MAVIC provides crucial services for riders who cannot gain support from their team cars during a race. It marks the third year MAVIC is supporting the Tour.
Yakima, the world leader in the design and manufacture of cargo management equipment solutions for outdoor enthusiasts, has committed as the official roof rack of the 2009 Tour for the third year. "Our bike racks are utilized by cyclists at every level, from elite professionals to families headed out for a weekend ride. Sponsoring the Tour of Missouri is an exceptional opportunity to support professional cyclists, biking enthusiasts and cycling fans throughout the world," said marketing manager Joel Grabenstein.
Additional sponsors include Missouri's electric cooperatives and Assurant Health Insurance, which has corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives is a group of 41 electric member-owned distribution cooperatives, six transmission cooperatives and one generation cooperative that serve more than 600,000 rural Missourians around the state. The group will be the title sponsor for the Stage 5 time trial in Sedalia.
"I'm proud that Missouri's electric cooperatives will be sponsoring this event since it takes place predominantly in rural areas," says Barry Hart, executive vice president of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. "Having the tour pass through these rural communities will pay dividends well into the future."
"The Tour is garnering support from a broad spectrum of organizations," said Steve Brunner, the president of KOM Sports Marketing, the marketing agent for Tour of Missouri. "Our sponsors recognize the value of aligning their brands with a world-class, professional sporting event which is free for fans to attend while thousands more around the world watch it online."
Previously announced sponsors are Missouri Tourism of Jefferson City; Drury Hotels, Edward Jones and Emerson, all of St. Louis; and Missouri Farm Bureau of Jefferson City.
The three-year-old race was granted an upgrade to one of the top five-ranked events outside Europe by international and national federation's for cycling. The upgrade will guarantee more top teams. A total of nine elite teams have been announced to date:
Astana, No. 6-ranked
BMC Racing
Cervelo Test Team
Columbia High-Road
Garmin-Slipstream
Jelly Belly
Liquigas
Quickstep
Saxo Bank
Additional teams will be announced in coming weeks, bringing the field to15.
For the first time since its inaugural year, the 2009 Tour will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, starting in Kansas City and finishing in St. Louis.
The race will be contested over seven days and seven stages. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph). The overall mileage for the course is expected to be more than 600 miles.
Sponsorship, hospitality and VIP packages are now available for the 2009 Tour. For more information visit www.tourofmissouri.com or for sponsorship availability contact King of the Mountain Sports Marketing at sgbrunner@kom-sports.com or (719) 272-7022 or Jerry Dowell at jerry@tourofmissouri.com or (573) 462-0208.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009More than 620 riders from around New Zealand entered the eighth annual Run 79 Lake Tekapo Mountain Bike Pursuit this weekend (Sunday, 31 May).
MTB Pursuits race co-organiser, Margaret Munro, expects fierce competition amongst top athletes but says there are a lot of recreational riders who are "just looking to cruise the 90km course, enjoying the stunning scenery, and having a really go od day out with friends and family."
Dunedin mountain biker Tony Hogg (34) and Mark Williamson (20) from Alexandra are back this year to battle it out in the Open Men's category.
Tony Hogg has a string of wins to his name, the most recent being the New Zealand 24-hour mountain bike title in Rotorua three months ago. The win gives him his first chance of representing New Zealand at the World 24-hour Championships in Alberta, Canada, next month. Other wins include the 2007 Coastal Classic, 80km Molesworth Muster, the Masters Games title, and the Naseby 12-hour race.
2007 Open Men's winner, Mark Williamson, is back for his fourth year and is expected to give Tony Hogg a serious run for his money. There may also be stiff competition between Mark and younger brother Patrick (18) who's taking his first shot at the Open Men's title.
Multi-sporter Kath Kelly, from Millers Flat, is entering the race for the first time and Margaret predicts the former Coast to Coast winner will be the one to beat for the Open Women's title. Kath has won some of New Zealand's gnarliest races including the two-day individual Coast to Coast, the three-day Goldrush, the 125km Contact Epic mountain bike race and the 31km Carricktown Crusher.
Proving you're never too old to give it a go, four 70+ years old entered the Vintage category.
At the other end of the spectrum, New Zealand Under-19 mountain bike representative, Sarah-Kate McDonald, from Clyde will be gunning for the Junior Girls title.
Margaret believes times will be slower than last year due to the amount of rain over the past month softening the ground.
"At this stage, the only change to the course is the final approach into Lake Tekapo. The lake is currently very high and is covering the lakeside 4WD road so cyclists will ride the higher road in this section."
"There's a lot of snow blanketing the mountains so the views are going to be absolutely spectacular. We're hoping it will be fine and clear on the day but competitors will need to watch out for ice. River crossings are going to be pretty chilly so we're advising everyone to dress for cold conditions," she says.
Race entries are now closed but for a late fee individual riders can still enter up until 7pm on Saturday, 30 May.
Results will be posted on www.mtbpursuits.com on Sunday 31 May, with photos to follow shortly after.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009DENVER, COLO. -- Escape From Granogue, an annual mid-Atlantic mountain bike race classic, brought more than 400 mountain bikers to Montchanin, Delaware, on May 3 to compete in five categories, from beginner to marathon, and raise funds for the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation. The event raised a total of $3,200 for the non-profit's ovarian cancer research grant program and awareness initiatives thr ough online donations, a percentage of registration proceeds and a $550 contribution from Dansko, a Pennsylvania-based footwear company. A variety of donated gear and apparel was raffled off, which contributed more than 50 percent of the total funds raised. In addition to surpassing 2008's fundraising total, the event was an opportunity for two local ovarian cancer survivors and avid mountain bikers, Samantha Lockwood and Joyce Perry, to share their personal experiences as ovarian cancer survivors living active lifestyles. Lockwood recently accepted a position on the HERA Foundation's board and has been a longtime ambassador for the non-profit organization.
"Ovarian cancer can happen to anyone, even healthy, active women like those who participated in this race," says Lockwood. "One month before Joyce was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she was competing in the women's basketball senior Olympics. That hits home. It's vital that we have these conversations and open people's eyes to the reality of ovarian cancer. Awareness is crucial and unlike the science that's needed to end this and other cancers, increased awareness is something we can make happen now by talking to our friends and families about symptoms."
One in 57 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. With early detection, 90 percent will survive. Currently, only 24 percent of ovarian cancer is caught early.
Escape From Granogue was produced by Velo Amis - a coalition of local teams, shops and community members - who puts on the event every year as a celebration of the late Andrew Mein. Marc Vettori, race promoter, says, "Partnering with the HERA Foundation the past two years has allowed our celebration to give back to more than just the cycling community. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the race went off pretty much without a hitch. We are all very proud of the money and awareness we were able to help raise, which, for us, makes the race more special."
To learn more about ovarian cancer, the HERA Foundation and its fund raising events, please visit www.herafoundation.org.
Source: www.prlog.org
Tuesday, 26 May 2009Milwaukee, WI - In its inaugural year, the Tour of America's Dairyland, presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, will come out of the gate featuring a Pro Women's race at every venue, June 19-28. The new, professionally-produced cycling series will host two road races and seven criteriums in eight Wisconsin cities.
Tour of America's Dairyland Executive Director, Jack Hirt, said i t was important to the Tour's producer, Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board that pro women not only be allowed the opportunity to race every day but that daily payouts for women be fair as well.
"Having experienced racers like Tom Schuler and Bill Ochowicz as founding members of the Tour of America's Dairyland, it was apparent from day one planning that pro women would have a solid opportunity to race at every stop of the Tour and take home some well deserved payouts," said Hirt.
Presenting sponsor Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has recognized that a growing number of women are participating in cycling races.
"Reaching women is a very important strategy for Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board in promoting Wisconsin dairy products," said Dave Bavlnka, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Vice President of Advertising, "not only because of the nutritional benefits of dairy for women but also because women are the main decision makers when it come to family nutritional needs."
Women's teams committing rider representation at the Tour of America's Dairyland include Team Type 1, Team Kenda and Team BH.
"I'm super stoked about the Tour of America's Dairyland," said Team Type 1 rider Samantha Schneider, a West Allis, Wis. resident. "Women riders crave a multi-day shot like this, and the Tour of America's Dairyland will be showcasing what true pro women's racing looks like right here in Wisconsin's own picturesque backyard."
A new, professionally-produced 10-day series featuring criterium multi-lap races and road races, the Tour of America's Dairyland will pay out nearly $90,000 in cash prizes and primes, or rider incentives, in its inaugural year to professional and amateur men and women athletes of multiple categories. Several Wisconsin cities will host the various stages of the Tour of America's Dairyland, which runs June 19-28, and will kick off in Waterloo, home of the Trek Bicycle Corporation. The tour includes the Downer Classic on Milwaukee's Eastside, which will feature Ben's Cycle "Super Prime." Complementing the racing in the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee, Waterloo, Grafton, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Greenbush and Waukesha, will be live entertainment, family activities, and a sports expo produced by Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC).
Endorsed and supported by the Wisconsin Cycling Association and United States Cycling Federation, Tour of America's Dairyland updates will be posted on www.TourofAmericasDairyland.com
Source: www.prlog.org
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